MLB Power Rankings: Where Do All 30 Teams Stand In Mid-May? (2026)

May 20, 2026

RotoBaller's MLB power rankings for all 30 teams in mid-May. Where does each MLB team stand in our latest power rankings for the 2026 season?

As we head closer and closer to Memorial Day, it's about time we start to buy into some hot starts and ask ourselves, "Are the A's and White Sox really for real?" It's looking that way as both are contending for their divisions. Same with the Rays, who not only have a grasp on the AL East but are fighting for the best record in the majors.

On the other end of the spectrum, are the Mets and Astros done for with their slow starts? And are the Tigers destined to join them as they start to slide without Tarik Skubal? Read on and find out where everyone's ranked in this week's power rankings.

Note: Stats and rankings reflect games played through Monday, May 18.

No. 30 - Los Angeles Angels

Staying in our bottom spot, the Angels just can't get it going. The offense has been anemic, scoring two or fewer runs in five straight games prior to Sunday's action against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Somehow, the team still is holding onto a 96 wRC+, but it's becoming evident that it's going to drop lower. With its current trajectory, it's fair to start asking if Mike Trout will be on this roster past the trade deadline.

No. 29 - Colorado Rockies

After a fun start, the Rockies have cooled down quite a bit. They're still on pace to not lose 100 games, but they are going to be without Chase Dollander for some time as the 24-year-old was diagnosed with a UCL sprain that landed him on the 15-day IL.

Lucky for the Rockies and Dollander, it's considered a minor sprain, but he was positive for most of this season. The Rockies still have some young players who will be fun to follow, but as a team, it's going to be a bit rough going forward.

No. 28 - San Francisco Giants

The doom and gloom isn't quite over, but a series split against the rival Dodgers is certainly a good way to at least get some confidence going. Over the last 14 days, the offense has picked it up, too. It has hit for a 97 wRC+. It's not overly impressive, but it's much better than the season-long 88 mark.

More good news is on the horizon, too, as Logan Webb appears close to returning from a knee injury. His 5.06 ERA is certainly uncharacteristic for who he is, but maybe with this knee pain behind him, he can return to his normal form as San Francisco's ace.

No. 27 - New York Mets

We may be beyond the point of the Mets saving their season. With an eight-game deficit in the NL Wild Card race, it's not over, but that's a sizable hill to climb to make things realistic.

The fall shouldn't be that surprising either, as they've been on a major downfall since June last year. On June 12 last year, they beat the Nationals to move to 45-24. Since then, they've gone 57-81, a 67-win pace. Currently on pace for a 68-win season, this may just be who they are now.

No. 26 - Boston Red Sox

Offensive struggles continue to plague the Red Sox. They've generally been scoring three runs or fewer every game in May. They've only scored four or more runs in four of their 15 games this month. That just quite simply isn't going to get it done.

The good news is it looks like they've found a solid new starter in Payton Tolle, whose 2.05 ERA could get him into the AL Rookie of the Year race sooner or later. But if the offense can't find ways to score, then his dominant performances won't always translate to wins.

No. 25 - Minnesota Twins

Twins fans were loving the hot streak that Byron Buxton was on. That was until he started getting held out of the lineup due to a hip injury. Because of it, he's missed Minnesota's last four games.

The Twins lineup has at least gotten solid support from Kody Clemens over the last week, and it helped them go for a .500 week overall. Minnesota will be monitoring Buxton's status closely over the next week as it finds itself just 1.5 GB of a Wild Card spot thanks to a rather underwhelming start for a host of American League teams.

Kody Clemens clubs a three-run homer 💥 pic.twitter.com/1yqAWYypwy

— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2026

No. 24 - Houston Astros

Houston was able to win a much-needed series over the rival Rangers over the weekend. That helped salvage a 3-4 week record-wise in a season that looks continually disappointing.

The injury issues the Astros have had are creeping into the offense now. After losing Carlos Correa for the season, they also lost Jose Altuve to the IL due to an oblique strain. They're four games back in the Wild Card race, but right now, it's hard to envision them snagging a spot in reality.

No. 23 - Kansas City Royals

Right after giving them praise and raising them in our rankings, the Royals lost six straight before getting a win Sunday over the Cardinals. Offense hasn't particularly been the issue here; the pitching has been slacking.

Up until Saturday, they had given up five or more runs in five straight games, with six being a regular occurrence. The pitching staff was a strength for Kansas City in past seasons, but it's fair to question now if the rotation is doing enough.

No. 22 - Baltimore Orioles

If you look at the Orioles' past 10 games or so and squint really closely while removing a 13-3 loss to the Nationals, you can start to see the pitching staff getting some improved numbers.

The offense is in a funk, though, hitting for just a 76 wRC+ over the last seven days. For now, that's been ok, especially since they're just 1.5 GB of a Wild Card spot, but that can't be a realistic number for the offense going forward if they want to stay in the AL Wild Card race.

No. 21 - Miami Marlins

The Marlins' 5-1 opening to the season feels like a distant memory right now. They're sitting five games below .500 while being 6.5 GB of a Wild Card spot. If they were in the AL, they'd be 1.5 GB, but transferring leagues in the middle of a season isn't something they can legally do (we think).

The offense, while strong at the top, could definitely help out with a bit more consistency. Outside of a few outbursts over the past week, it's been relatively quiet. The runs need to be spread out a touch more, and Miami might find itself in more advantageous spots.

No. 20 - Washington Nationals

So, when exactly do we need to start worrying about seeing the Nationals on the schedule? Their offense is absolutely cooking, hitting for a 133 wRC+ over the last 14 days. That's helped them get to a 23-24 record that has them within reach of a Wild Card spot.

James Wood INSIDE-THE-PARK GRAND SLAM! pic.twitter.com/8P0K4jhApZ

— MLB (@MLB) May 20, 2026

But the pitching is a bit sporadic. At times, they show flashes of hope, and on other days, it's not a surprise to see them give up 10 or more runs. If the pitching tightens up, then maybe we'll start to view the Nationals as a surprise threat in the NL.

No. 19 - Detroit Tigers

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Tigers are on a downfall. They've gone 4-11 in May and lost their ace, Tarik Skubal, to an elbow injury that's going to keep him out multiple months.

The offense is hitting for just a 77 wRC+ in May. Riley Greene has been the only standout while the rest of the lineup has been incredibly underwhelming. Things are not looking good for the Tigers, and if they don't get it turned around, we may see some major changes at the deadline.

No. 18 - Toronto Blue Jays

Another underwhelming team in the AL, the Blue Jays find themselves at four games under .500 on the season. That would be a lot more concerning if they weren't just a game back of a Wild Card spot, but we can't overlook it.

They're hitting for just an 87 wRC+ in May while the pitching staff has actually been really solid. That makes it clear which side of the dugout needs to improve. If they get their bats going, then maybe they'll start to remind us of the team that made the World Series last year.

No. 17 - Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks have been a bit of a weird team this season. At times, they look like a solid ballclub, and others, it feels like they're just nowhere close to who they were in 2023 when they made the World Series.

At the very least, they're getting a solid version of Nolan Arenado in May. The veteran third baseman is hitting for a 151 wRC+ in May. Corbin Carroll is right behind him and crushed two homers at Coors on Sunday. But at 4.5 GB of a Wild Card spot, there's still more that Arizona needs to do.

No. 16 - Cincinnati Reds

If you've read these power rankings in the past, you know that earlier in the season, I was projecting negative regression for this Reds squad. They looked like they were proving me wrong, but it turns out they were just faking us all out.

Since beating the Rockies and moving to 20-11, they've gone 4-12 and are falling behind in the NL Central race. They're getting great offensive contributions from JJ Bleday, but they clearly need the pitching staff to get right. Throwing to a 6.10 ERA in May simply isn't a recipe for wins.

No. 15 - Chicago White Sox

I guess one way to answer the question of "Are the White Sox for real?" is to take a series from your crosstown rivals as part of winning seven of your last eight games. They are absolutely on fire, and there actually may be something here.

While the pitching staff's 4.32 ERA in May isn't exactly inspiring, their offense's 125 wRC+ in May leads the league. That's a key reason they're just a game back in the AL Central. It's Munetaka Murakami's world, and we're all just living in it.

MUNETAKA MURAKAMI GOES YARD AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/2JcKcJ8wuf

— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2026

No. 14 - Athletics

Maybe May hasn't been the most inspiring month for the A's, but they've been able to keep a lead atop the AL West, so credit needs to be given. We've been asking if they're real or not for the past few weeks, and while I think there are still some questions, we're certainly leaning more toward the real side of things.

On the offensive side of things, they have four hitters posting a wRC+ of 150 or better, making them a threat whenever they're up at the plate. Shea Langeliers is leading the bunch with a 199 wRC+ in May. He's a huge reason the A's are a surprise team in the AL West.

No. 13 - Texas Rangers

Chasing those A's, but very close behind them, are the Rangers. They're a bit of an interesting case because the rotation has been so solid for them, but the offense has been incredibly sporadic.

That's led to a 6-8 record during May, but they're only one game behind the A's in the AL West. If they can get rolling, then they should be able to get atop the division. A great way to get that going is to have six games against the Rockies and Angels on deck.

No. 12 - Philadelphia Phillies

Few teams can get to Paul Skenes, but that's just what the Phillies did on Sunday. They have gone 12-4 in May, a complete turnaround compared to the beginning of the season.

You've probably also heard about just how dominant Kyle Schwarber's been this month. He's crushed nine homers in May, unsurprisingly leading the league. He's a huge reason the Phillies have had such a resurgent month.

No. 11 - St. Louis Cardinals

I keep hearing that it's "Tarps Off" season at Busch Stadium. That's probably for good reason as the Cardinals continue to surprise the league with a 27-19 record. Given they were supposed to be in a rebuilding season, they're massively outperforming expectations.

TARPS OFF for a Gorm 💣 pic.twitter.com/byKZuEA37o

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 20, 2026

Jordan Walker is crushing it still, hitting for a 217 wRC+ in May. While the Cardinals pitching staff has some questions, Walker is making sure to be as productive as possible for an upstart St. Louis team.

No. 10 - Cleveland Guardians

Should we be surprised that the Guardians are leading the AL Central again? They just keep finding ways to win without having big names. That's been the Cleveland way for a few seasons now, and you don't fix what isn't broken.

On the offensive side, May's production hasn't been driven by the name you know (Jose Ramirez) but instead from guys like AL Rookie of the Year candidate Chase DeLauter and his pals Travis Bazzana and Angel Martinez.

It's always a team effort in Cleveland, and it is looking strong again this season.

No. 9 - Seattle Mariners

All the stats say the Mariners should be a top-10 team, and that's why I have them in the top 10. But they're four games under .500, so how much longer can we have them up here? That's the question for the next couple of weeks.

They're top 10 in both ERA and wRC+, so you would have to assume that more wins are on deck for them. But struggles from Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert have held back the pitching. Additionally, Cal Raleigh is being held out for a week due to an oblique injury.

Numbers are pointing toward the Mariners being a top-10 team, but it's only so much longer they can stay here if the record doesn't improve.

No. 8 - Pittsburgh Pirates

In the standings, the Pirates and Reds both have the same record, but there's quite a difference between them in our rankings. That's because of some huge gaps between the two in ERA, wRC+, and run differential.

But let's keep the focus on Pittsburgh. That wRC+ has shot up to 105 after a slow start, thanks to a 120 wRC+ in May. Pair that with their excellent pitching, and it's easy to see that they're going to improve upon their 24-23 record very shortly.

No. 7 - San Diego Padres

A lot's been made about Fernando Tatis Jr. not having hit a homer yet this season, but that may not matter with the way the Padres have been playing. They're just a half-game behind the Dodgers in the NL West after going on a 6-2 run.

All of that's happened while the offense has been hitting for a 72 wRC+ over the last seven days. Not exactly the greatest offensive numbers, but the pitching has been solid every time they need it. They're going to be in the running for the NL West this season, but the offense needs to improve if they want to win the division.

No. 6 - Milwaukee Brewers

Don't look now, but the Brewers are rolling. They've won eight of their last 10 games and find themselves just 1.5 games back of the Cubs. The wins have been over impressive talent, too, tallying five wins over the Yankees and Padres.

This upcoming week is really going to test their hot streak. They've got the Cubs and the Dodgers on deck in a week that's sure to be a perfect measuring stick. Last season, they got put on the map after a couple of strong series against L.A., and this week has the same sort of feel to it.

I mean come on@jmisiorowski9 https://t.co/9fIa9mK5hH pic.twitter.com/wJXa0OqlDP

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 20, 2026

No. 5 - New York Yankees

The Yankees had been rolling and looking like a World Series contender for about the past month. But over the last 10 games, they haven't looked the same. They got swept by the Brewers and lost series to both the Orioles and the Mets. The Mets? Yes, the Mets.

Most of this slide has been thanks to the offense not performing at its normal levels. But there have also been pitching struggles. They also just lost Max Fried to the 15-day IL with a bone bruise in his elbow. That's not going to help them much in the AL East race, where they no longer are the division leaders.

No. 4 - Tampa Bay Rays

Let's talk about those AL East leaders now. The Rays have been one of the most under-the-radar teams this season. They've gone 12-3 in May and have the best record in the American League.

During May, they've posted a 103 wRC+, ranking 10th overall. But it's their pitching staff's 2.59 ERA, third best in May, that's really hammering home these wins. Tampa Bay is one of the toughest teams to score on, and if its offense gets moving a little more, then it may be unstoppable.

No. 3 - Chicago Cubs

It's been a bit of a tough week for the Cubs, especially when you finish it off by losing a series to your crosstown rival. But Chicago's in a bit of a rut that it needs to get itself out of after getting into such a great position.

The gap between it and the Brewers in the NL Central is getting smaller and smaller. That's going to be problematic this week as the Cubs face Milwaukee at Wrigley Field for a three-game set that's going to help shape the top of the division.

No. 2- Los Angeles Dodgers

While you don't want to split a series against the Giants, it worked out well for the Dodgers as it catapulted them into a weekend sweep of the Angels, and they've now won five straight games. That's good news for a team expected to win the World Series for a third straight season.

But at the same time, the injury issues to the pitching staff continue to hamper things. Tyler Glasnow has hit the IL with back spasms, while Blake Snell is headed back to the IL as well with loose bodies in his elbow. That's not great news for the Dodgers with the Padres hot on their heels in the NL West.

No. 1 - Atlanta Braves

Back in our top spot is the Atlanta Braves. They're winners in five of their last seven games and just keep on rolling despite not having a fully healthy pitching staff. Their staff's 2.99 ERA leads the league while their lineup's 115 wRC+ is tied for second overall.

Drake Baldwin is becoming a name you need to follow. During May, he's hit for a 191 wRC+ with six homers, leading the Braves in both categories. He's an under-the-radar player on a team that's absolutely running things. The Braves take our top spot for the third straight week.

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