We are set to enter the final week of the regular season. A number of teams are trending in the right direction ahead of the postseason, while àother ball clubs either have been or are close to being eliminated from playoff contention. Two teams that have captured attention in recent weeks are the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers â as both teams would be in the playoff if the season ended today. They are also among the biggest risers in our latest 2026 MLB Power Rankings.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)
The Brewers have the National League Central division locked up, but they still have something to play for during the final week of the regular season. Home field advantage is important in the playoffs and Milwaukee is playing for the best record in the sport. The 98-58 Brewers remain in front of the 96-60 Los Angeles Dodgers and 95-60 Tampa Bay Rays for MLB's best record.
With a week remaining in the regular season, the Brewers will need to finish strong to clinch the league's best record.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
The Dodgers are in a similar position to the Brewers aside from the fact that they are the trailing ball club when it comes to MLB's best record. LA is hoping to have Shohei Ohtani return from injury soon as the ball club prepares for the postseason. Regardless of whether or not they surpass the Brewers, the Dodgers will be the team to beat in the playoffs.
3. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
The Rays have not officially clinched the AL East or the American League's best record, but they are closing in on accomplishing the feats. Tampa Bay is six games ahead of the New York Yankees for both feats. The Rays are in a quality position to set themselves up for a deep postseason run.
4. Atlanta Braves (-)
Atlanta likely won't clinch the league's best record but the Braves did recently clinch the NL East. The Braves are being overlooked in the NL to an extent with the Dodgers, Brewers and surging San Diego Padres stealing headlines, but Atlanta could make noise in the postseason.
5. New York Yankees (-)
The Yankees' chances of surpassing the Rays are slim, but New York is still on track to land the top AL Wild Card spot. The Yankees could be a dangerous playoff team, but Aaron Judge's injury uncertainty will be worth closely monitoring.
6. San Diego Padres (+3)
The Padres are the hottest team in baseball. They have won 13 of their past 14 games and are currently on a five-game winning streak. San Diego has been a streaky team all season long, and the ball club has found its rhythm at the perfect time. The question is whether or not the Padres will be able to continue their success in the playoffs.
7. Chicago Cubs (-1)
The Cubs have continued to perform well overall. They are not as hot as the Padres right now, so they did drop one spot in our MLB Power Rankings this week despite the fact that both Chicago and San Diego are 87-69.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)
The Phillies have led the NL Wild Card at times this year, but they currently hold the third and final NL Wild Card spot. Their 86 wins have them in a comfortable position to reach the postseason, as the only team with a realistic possibility of surpassing them are the 82-win Arizona Diamondbacks.
9. Boston Red Sox (-1)
The Red Sox recently clinched a postseason spot. They are on track to be the No. 2 overall AL Wild Card team. Boston is just 4-6 over its past 10 games, so the ball club would like to find some momentum before the playoffs.
10. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
The Diamondbacks' postseason chances are slipping away, but they are still technically in contention. They will need a huge final week of the season and at least one of the teams in the NL Wild Card to stumble in order to reach the postseason.
11. Cleveland Guardians (+1)
The Guardians almost climbed into the top 10 of our MLB Power Rankings. Cleveland is 7-3 over its past 10 games and the team currently holds the AL Central lead. However, the Diamondbacks have one more win than the Guards and they play in a much more competitive National League.
Nevertheless, the Guardians have placed themselves in a position to make a serious postseason run in the AL. They have work to do to clinch the AL Central, though.
12. Chicago White Sox (-1)
The White Sox are only one game behind the Guardians for the AL Central lead. Chicago also holds a three-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros for the final AL Wild Card spot. Chicago is in a respectable position to at least sneak into the postseason as a Wild Card ball club, but the Sox would prefer to win the division.
13. Pittsburgh Pirates (+2)
The Pirates are in an unlucky situation. They are 79-77 overall, which would place them just one game back of the final Wild Card spot in the AL and atop the AL West standings. However, Pittsburgh happens to play in the NL Central.
Pittsburgh won't make the postseason this year, but the ball club has displayed potential for the future.
14. Texas Rangers (+4)
The Rangers are our biggest riser in the MLB Power Rankings this week. Teams such as the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays have not played especially well recently. Meanwhile, the Rangers have gone 6-4 over their past 10 contests. They hold a one-game lead over the Astros in the AL West at the moment.
15. Houston Astros (-2)
As mentioned, the Astros have struggled lately. They are just 3-7 over their past 10 games and have dropped three consecutive games. Houston is still in a position to make a push toward the postseason, but the Rangers have performed at a more consistent level in recent action.
16. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)
The Blue Jays are still technically in the AL Wild Card conversation, but their postseason chances are quickly slipping away. Toronto will need a tremendous final week to reach the postseason.
17. Miami Marlins (-1)
The Marlins have dropped three consecutive games. Still, Miami's future is bright. The team wasn't expected to compete this year, but they have hovered around .500 for the most part.
Article Continues Below18. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
The Cardinals have had a successful season despite the fact that they won't reach the playoffs. They have out-performed expectations amid their rebuild and could emerge as a contender next year.
19. Baltimore Orioles (-)
The Orioles have failed to reach their expectations this year. While they have remained in the AL Wild Card race, the ball club is now five games back heading into the final week of the regular season.
20. Minnesota Twins (+1)
The Twins are focused on preparing for next season. The AL Central doesn't have a clear front-runner right now, so Minnesota could attempt to build a true contender that can make a push in the division next year.
21. Washington Nationals (+1)
The Nationals' strong offense hasn't been enough to keep them in contention. Their biggest question is whether or not they will trade star infielder CJ Abrams during the offseason.
22. Seattle Mariners (+1)
As mentioned in previous MLB Power Rankings stories, the Mariners have been one of baseball's biggest disappointments this season. All they can do at the moment is try to finish the season strong.
23. Detroit Tigers (+1)
The Tigers are another team that did not meet expectations this year, which led to their Tarik Skubal trade ahead of the deadline in early August. Nevertheless, Detroit features a number of star players who could help the ball club bounce back soon.
24. Cincinnati Reds (-4)
The Reds are 3-7 over their past 10 games. They would love to turn things around and finish the season strong. It has been a disappointing overall campaign, but Elly De La Cruz is an MVP candidate and Sal Stewart may win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
25. New York Mets (-1)
The Mets have struggled but they can play the role of spoiler this week as they face a Rangers team that is hoping to win the AL West.
26. Kansas City Royals (-)
The Royals will be one of the biggest spoiler candidates to watch during the final week of the regular season. Kansas City is set to host both the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians â who are competing for the AL Central lead.
27. ÃÂ San Francisco Giants (-)
The Giants have multiple veterans on their roster and the team's overall outlook is not especially promising. San Francisco needs to make some changes this offseason. The Giants need a franchise direction.
28. Athletics (-)
The Athletics have a number of injured star players. They should be better next season. Still, it seems as if their rebuild has continued longer than expected.
29. Los Angeles Angels (-)
The Angels missed the postseason once again this year, but they finally started a rebuild at the trade deadline. If they commit to the rebuild, they could develop a true contender within the next few years.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
The Rockies are on track to be the worst team in baseball, as they are the only ball club with less than 60 wins right now.