2026 MLB Power Rankings: Final Regular Season Update

There is only one month left in the 2026 MLB season, as playoff races are heating up, and award races are being decided.

In a year in which the American League has never been more wide-open, and the National League features a handful of powerhouses that could rival the two-time World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, intrigue down the stretch has never been higher.

Trade deadline acquisitions have propelled some teams into a better position to make a run, while others have fallen flat into early buyer’s remorse. For the last time during the regular season, today, we rank all 30 teams in baseball going from worst to first.

Without further ado, let’s dive into our ranking of the top teams in Major League Baseball right now!

Top 10 Worst Teams in Major League Baseball

30. Athletics (Previous Ranking: 29)

August Record: 8-20

The Athletics went into this season with some expectations, as they had a young core of position players who seemed like they were entering a contention window. Unfortunately, that could not have been further from the truth. This team has been abysmal, and it keeps getting worse.

They hold the distinction of being the worst team in baseball right now, and could very well finish with the worst record when it’s all said and done.

29. Los Angeles Angels (Previous Ranking: 30)

August Record: 11-17

The Angels technically move up in our power rankings, but only because the A’s were three games worse in the month of August. There are three teams in baseball right now who are very clearly the worst in the game, all reaching the 85-loss mark as they trend towards 100-loss campaigns.

28. Colorado Rockies (Previous Ranking: 28)

August Record: 9-19

The Colorado Rockies complete the trifecta of misery, sitting with the worst record in baseball, although they have been slightly better than the other two teams over the past few months, which is why they find themselves ranked ahead on this list. Stack those three teams up any way you want to, though, they all have made their bid to be considered the worst in the game.

27. San Francisco Giants (Previous Ranking: 26)

August Record: 10-18

The San Francisco Giants are in a tier slightly above the other three bottom-dwellers in the league, but not by much. They are the only other team in baseball that enters the month of September with fewer than 60 wins.

26. New York Mets (Previous Ranking: 27)

August Record: 15-12

The New York Mets actually played some pretty decent baseball in the month of August, especially when you consider the fact that they lost their final two games prior to the trade deadline, then reeled off 11 wins in 15 games after completing their fire sale.

They slowed down as the month wore on, mostly due to playing a handful of first-place teams, but the Mets are not a team that contenders should take lightly down the stretch. This is a team that will relish its spoiler role, especially now that Juan Soto has returned.

25. Washington Nationals (Previous Ranking: 20)

August Record: 11-18

Around the trade deadline, the Washington Nationals still theoretically had a shot to make a run for a Wild Card spot, but between selling off some top contributors like Luis García Jr. and Foster Griffin, and James Wood missing time with an oblique injury, the Nationals fell off considerably in August.

24. Cincinnati Reds (Previous Ranking: 23)

August Record: 13-16

The Cincinnati Reds have the third-worst run differential in baseball this year, which suggests they are actually worse than their record would imply. The only storyline to follow in Cincy down the stretch is if Sal Stewart can hold onto his lead in the NL Rookie of the Year race.

JJ Wetherholt’s wrist injury swung the door wide open for Stewart to win that award, but he still has a few Mets rookies chomping at his heels in Nolan McLean and Carson Benge.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous Ranking: 13)

August Record: 12-15

Our biggest faller on this list, the Pirates drop 10 slots after a frustrating month of August where they struggled to assert themselves in the NL Wild Card race. This is a team that tried to contend this season, both by being more active in the offseason than we have seen previously, and then by doubling down at the trade deadline.

Unfortunately, it would take a great month for the Pirates to truly get back into the race, as they entered September six games back of a playoff spot.

22. Detroit Tigers (Previous Ranking: 22)

August Record: 11-16

The Detroit Tigers were actually rolling prior to the trade deadline, making a push to get back in the AL Wild Card race. They obviously sold big at the deadline, cashing in on the front of their rotation by flipping rentals Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize, but with Jackson Jobe’s return off the IL, there was still a sliver of hope that the Tigers could hang in the race.

After playing five games under .500 in August, though, it appears like the Tigers will have to wait until next year to contend.

21. Minnesota Twins (Previous Ranking: 14)

August Record: 10-17

Another team that bought at the trade deadline, and quite surprisingly. They held onto some premium trade chips in Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers, while adding Dean Kremer, A.J. Minter and Jeff Hoffman to bolster their pitching for a stretch run.

Unfortunately, that push fell flat in August, as the Twins lost seven of the nine series they played.

Middle of the Pack

20. Kansas City Royals (Previous Ranking: 25)

August Record: 16-11

The Kansas City Royals were relatively quiet at the trade deadline, holding onto veteran starters Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo, while moving a few of their rentals like Kris Bubic and Lane Thomas. Keeping the core intact led to a nice month in August, which saw the Royals win nine in a row and 12 of their last 14.

It’s likely too little too late for the Royals, but with the emergence of Jac Caglianone alongside Bobby Witt Jr., at least there are some reasons for hope in Kansas City next year.

19. Seattle Mariners (Previous Ranking: 17)

August Record: 11-16

The Mariners entered this season being viewed as the favorite to make it out of the American League, but things have gone anything but as planned for Seattle. Despite all the talent they have up and down their roster, and even more coming from their farm system, the Mariners just have not been able to string wins together.

They entered the season’s final month only 5.5 games out of the race, so they are far from dead, but there is no getting around the fact that this has been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball.

18. St. Louis Cardinals (Previous Ranking: 19)

August Record: 14-14

The 2026 St. Louis Cardinals should finish the season 81-81, because this is the epitome of a .500 baseball team. A great 18-13 start through April kept the Cardinals sitting five games over .500 for a majority of the season, but they were really just holding serve in May and June.

In July, the wheels fell off, dropping the Cardinals just under .500, and they spent the month of August flirting with that line. This team is not ready to contend, but they have shown themselves to have some building blocks in place for a brighter future.

17. Texas Rangers (Previous Ranking: 18)

August Record: 13-15

The Texas Rangers have a wide-open division they could be leading, but they have let the Astros pass them, and it could end up being Houston’s division by default.

The Rangers still have the ingredients of a team that could make the push to October, but this is a team that has really only put together one good month all season, when they went 16-11 in June. Every other month, outside of a 4-1 March, the Rangers have finished below .500.

16. Baltimore Orioles (Previous Ranking: 21)

August Record: 15-13

The Baltimore Orioles have clearly not given up on their season, as they just claimed Luis Robert Jr. off waivers, adding $3 million to their payroll for this season, and $2 million to their payroll next year (assuming they opt to pay the buyout on his $20 million 2027 club option).

Pete Alonso has been playing like an MVP over the past month, while Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser and Coby Mayo have all shown some signs of life as well. We can’t count out the Orioles from making a run to the Wild Card, especially when you consider how open this race is.

15. Toronto Blue Jays (Previous Ranking: 24)

August Record: 17-11

The Blue Jays are another team that is hanging in there in the AL Wild Card race after a great month of August that was by far their best this season. Alejandro Kirk and George Springer caught fire this past month, with Kirk driving in 20 runs while posting a 160 wRC+ and Springer batting .321 with a 141 wRC+.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s struggles have inexplicably continued, but this is a lineup that has enough to make a push here in September, especially if he gets going.

Pitching injuries remain a problem, but the rotation has started to stabilize, with Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer turning in their first quality months of work this season (before Bieber hit the shelf), along with the addition of José Soriano at the trade deadline. Leading the pack is Dylan Cease, who is making a bid for his first career Cy Young.

This season has been a disaster for the Blue Jays after coming so close to winning it all last year, but they still have enough time to put all of that behind them and punch their ticket for another shot in October.

14. Miami Marlins (Previous Ranking: 16)

August Record: 13-14

The Miami Marlins did not assert themselves in the Wild Card race post-deadline, but they also didn’t fall out of the race either. They are still hanging in there and have a chance to make a run at it, especially with the starting pitching they have.

Sandy Alcantara led MLB in innings pitched in August, and did so while sporting a 2.08 ERA. Eury Pérez has been great lately as well, finally showing that frontline potential we have always known that he has. Even Janson Junk (2.59 ERA) and Ryan Gusto (1.88 ERA) threw the ball well in August.

If the Marlins are really going to make a push, though, they are going to need more out of their lineup, particularly from Otto Lopez, who has struggled mightily in the second half after being an All-Star in the first.

13. Houston Astros (Previous Ranking: 12)

August Record: 14-13

Right before the trade deadline, the Houston Astros overtook the Texas Rangers in the AL West when they swept them in a three-game set. From that point on, the Astros played .500 baseball, and it was enough to never cede control of the division.

This is not a great team, but they have the favorite to win the AL MVP in Yordan Alvarez; a great back-end of the pen with Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu, and AJ Blubaugh; and even Jose Altuve has found a fountain of youth this past month.

With all of that said, this rotation is not good at all. That’s an obstacle that could hold them back from making a deep playoff run, but one that they can still overcome in a division where finishing just over .500 might be enough.

12. Cleveland Guardians (Previous Ranking: 12)

August Record: 13-13

The Cleveland Guardians are holding onto the final Wild Card spot right now, and they still even have a shot to win their division, as the Chicago White Sox have not exactly run away with it.

The Guardians have always had enough pitching to make a run, but they need to find more offense down the stretch. Steven Kwan and Chase DeLauter both hit over .340 in August, and Jo Adell made an immediate impact, driving in a team-best 21 runs. This lineup is a José Ramírez heater away from truly taking off.

11. Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous Ranking: 15)

August Record: 15-14

The Ketel Marte saga has overtaken the narrative of the Arizona Diamondbacks season, but in the midst of all of that drama, this is a team that is pushing to make the postseason.

Eduardo Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt are pitching as well as any one-two punch in baseball right now, but the rest of the rotation leaves a lot to be desired. However, Corbin Burnes could make his long-awaited return soon, which would add an interesting layer to their Wild Card push.

Top 10 Teams in Major League Baseball

10. Chicago White Sox (Previous Ranking: 9)

August Record: 14-14

Coming into this season, there weren’t many expectations put on the Chicago White Sox. Simply finishing the year with a winning record would have been a marked improvement coming off two 100-loss seasons in 2024 and 2025. Expectations have now changed, though, for the White Sox, as anything but a division title would be a real disappointment.

On July 4, the White Sox beat the Guardians in the third game of a four-game set played in Cleveland. They entered that series holding a division lead they had grabbed back in June, but after dropping the first two games to Cleveland, they briefly ceded command of the division to the Guardians.

The White Sox won on the 4th and then again on the 5th, and they haven’t looked back since, as they have been in first place for nearly two months now. It is time for the White Sox to finish the job and win the division, then anything that happens in October is gravy.

9. San Diego Padres (Previous Ranking: 10)

August Record: 17-11

After putting on a few band-aids at the trade deadline, the San Diego Padres looked primed to make a postseason run, where their bullpen will be feared in any short series. To get there, the Padres needed more from their rotation, and so far, Robbie Ray has answered the call.

As have Randy Vasquez, Walker Buehler, and Michael King, who has been leading that staff all season. The one starter who struggled in August was Casey Mize, who has the potential to be the second-best starter in that rotation come the postseason.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill are back playing at superstar levels, and Ty France is finishing off a monster bounce-back season for San Diego. This team is by no means a lock for the playoffs, but if they get there, they will be feared.

8. Boston Red Sox (Previous Ranking: 7)

August Record: 17-12

The Boston Red Sox mid-season turnaround has been remarkable, and they are not slowing down. This team just keeps on winning, as they have all but solidified their standing as a playoff team.

Even better, the Red Sox just got both Trevor Story and Roman Anthony off the IL, further bolstering a lineup that has been rolling for a few months now.

With a deep rotation led by Sonny Gray and Payton Tolle and a lockdown bullpen anchored by Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, the Red Sox can beat anybody in a playoff series.

7. New York Yankees (Previous Ranking: 6)

August Record: 16-12

The Yankees’ arms carried them through August, pitching to a collective 3.16 ERA. Max Fried is healthy again, Gerrit Cole is all the way back, and the late-inning trio of David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, and Brent Headrick continues to dominate.

Where this team has struggled lately is at the plate. It’s a sign of just how bad things have been that New York’s .699 OPS and 96 wRC+ in August actually marked a meaningful improvement compared to June and July. Trade deadline acquisition Luis García Jr. has hit well, as has rookie Spencer Jones. However, the Yankees really need more from Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger, at least until Aaron Judge is ready to return.

On paper, this still looks like the most dangerous team in the American League, but it’s been months since the Yankees actually looked quite that dangerous on the field.

6. Chicago Cubs (Previous Ranking: 4)

August Record: 16-12

Led by the new favorite to win the NL MVP, Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs are nearing the end of another very strong season. Sure, they are unlikely to surpass the Brewers in the NL Central, but the Cubs have a deep and talented lineup and a pitching staff that was bolstered majorly at the trade deadline.

Kevin Gausman has not clicked just yet, but Clay Holmes has been sensational, pitching to a 1.55 ERA across his first five Cubs starts. Along with Holmes, the Cubs got Tyrone Taylor in that same trade with the Mets, and the 32-year-old outfielder has been unbelievable, hitting .409/.460/.545 with a 181 wRC+ in his first 50 Cubs plate appearances.

While it is fair to have some doubts about how their rotation will stack up compared to some of the teams ranked ahead of them on this list, the Cubs still have all the ingredients they need to get hot in October and make a real run.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (Previous Ranking: 8)

August Record: 21-7

The Phillies had the best record in baseball in the month of August, as they once again gear up for the stretch run. Bryce Harper has been on fire, Kyle Schwarber keeps hitting home runs, and the three-headed monster of Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo is arguably the best in baseball.

This is a team that was built for October, loaded with battle-tested veterans who are looking to get over the top and win it all after years knocking on the door.

From a World Series appearance in 2022, to a near-miss in the NLCS in 2023, to two straight NL East titles in 2024 and 2025, this is a team that is on a mission to finally get over the hump.

4. Atlanta Braves (Previous Ranking: 5)

August Record: 17-11

Many criticized the Braves for their lack of impactful moves at the trade deadline, and yet here we are a month later, and Tyler Mahle has a 1.48 ERA in five starts as a Brave.

The Phillies have been a tad bit hotter than the Braves since the trade deadline, but the Braves built enough of a cushion in the division that they are still the prohibitive favorites to finish them off in the NL East.

Granted, there are still seven head-to-head matchups remaining between these teams, with the first four set to take place in Philadelphia this weekend.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous Ranking: 1)

August Record: 13-14

It is hard to put the Dodgers anywhere but at the top of a power rankings, but at a certain point, we have to judge them by what we have been seeing on the field. This is a team that was 26 games over .500 entering the month of July. Since then, they are 26-25 over the past two months.

Considering these recent results, it would have been fair to rank the Phillies or the Braves over the Dodgers.

At the same time, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell have returned to a rotation that gained Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline, and has had Yoshinobu Yamamoto all season. No team will be more feared in October, even if the Dodgers back into the playoffs this month and miss out on a first-round bye.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (Previous Ranking: 3)

August Record: 18-10

The Tampa Bay Rays have been the class of the American League this year, and when you look at the teams they are competing with, it sure feels like they have the clearest runway to the World Series this season.

The National League has five of the top six teams in baseball in our rankings, showing the true disparity between the leagues right now. The Rays could compete in any league, which is why they find themselves ranked higher than all but one National League team on this list.

1. Milwaukee Brewers (Previous Ranking: 2)

August Record: 17-12

When we re-rank this list for the postseason, it is going to be very hard to call any team other than the Dodgers the favorites. With that said, the Brewers have been the best team in baseball this season. A distinction they held last year, when they clinched home-field throughout the playoffs with the best record in the game.

Last year, that got the Brewers into the NLCS, where they squared off against the Dodgers. They got swept.

The Brewers have been amazing all season long, and they are well on their way to winning their division for the fourth-straight year, and for the fifth time in six years. Still, the question on everyone’s minds is if they have what it takes to finally get it done when it matters most in October.