ClutchPoints 2026 MLB Power Rankings, Vol. 25: Guardians surging, Tigers stumbling

The past week of MLB action saw some movement. However, much of the movement happened with teams who were in the middle of our MLB Power Rankings last week. Meanwhile, the top of the power rankings did not see as much change. The Milwaukee Brewers continue to play consistent baseball and they are our No. 1 overall team once again. Some of the teams who moved the most spots include the Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles.

Without further ado, here are our updated 2026 MLB Power Rankings.

1. Milwaukee Brewers (-)

The Brewers continue to play quality baseball. They most recently earned a 2-1 series victory against a talented Atlanta Braves ball club. Milwaukee’s 81-50 record is the best in baseball at the moment.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

The Dodgers are right behind the Brewers for the best record in the sport at 80-51. LA is 7-3 over its past 10 games and is finding momentum once again following a slump a few weeks ago.

3. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)

The Rays have not played their best baseball in recent action but they still managed to move up a spot in the power rankings. Tampa Bay holds the best record in the American League at 77-53 overall. The Rays ended a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Perhaps the victory will help them get back on track.

4. Atlanta Braves (-1)

As mentioned, the Braves dropped their latest series to the Brewers. Atlanta is now just 3-7 over its past 10 games and the Philadelphia Phillies are only three games behind the Braves in the National League East standings. The Braves only drop one spot in our MLB Power Rankings, but they need to turn things around soon.

5. Chicago Cubs (-)

The Cubs are a good baseball team and they could be a problem for the best ball clubs in the National League in the postseason. Pete Crow-Armstrong is set to challenge Shohei Ohtani for the NL MVP and the overall roster has displayed signs of potential.

6. New York Yankees (-)

The Yankees continue to deal with injury concerns, yet they have been fairly consistent from a performance standpoint. They are a few games back of the Rays in the AL East. New York is a legitimate contender. Aaron Judge’s return from injury will obviously help matters, and he still could return before the regular season comes to an end.

7. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)

The Phillies are suddenly only three games behind the Braves in the NL East. Earlier in the season, Philadelphia made things competitive in the division before Atlanta pulled away. Now the Phillies are once again making things interesting. It will be intriguing to see if they can catch the Braves this time.

8. San Diego Padres (-1)

The Padres have improved after they played mediocre baseball for a portion of the season. Fernando Tatis Jr. is back and performing at an MVP-caliber level. The pitching is the strength of the roster. This Padres ball club should not be overlooked.

9. Boston Red Sox (+1)

The Red Sox have endured ups and downs throughout the campaign. At 71-59, though, Boston is on track to earn an AL Wild Card spot. The Sox would love to find more consistency, but they are not a bad team by any means.

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)

The Ketel Marte drama has been a distraction but the Diamondbacks are doing everything they can to place the focus on baseball. Arizona is 5-5 over its past 10 games. The D’Backs are hoping to remain in the NL Wild Card conversation.

11. Chicago White Sox (-)

The White Sox lead the lackluster AL Central but the Cleveland Guardians’ recent resurgence has them sitting only 3.5 games back in the division. Regardless, Chicago has upset expectations this year. The Sox are a true contender in the AL. For now, they are just outside of the top 10 teams in our MLB Power Rankings.

12. Miami Marlins (-)

The Marlins have quietly been a respectable team. They are only four games back of an NL Wild Card spot. The Marlins have work to do, but this team could potentially surprise the MLB world and end up in the playoffs.

13. St. Louis Cardinals (-)

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball this year. With that being said, they went from a surprising contender to more of a mediocre ball club — which is still impressive since they entered the season in a complete rebuild. The 66-66 Cardinals are still in the NL Wild Card picture.

14. Cleveland Guardians (+7)

The Guardians may be back after weeks of underwhelming baseball. Cleveland has won four consecutive games and five of its past six contests. Those six games came against two of the worst teams in baseball in the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, however, so it remains to be seen if the Guardians’ resurgence is real or a product of playing bad teams.

15. Houston Astros (-1)

The Astros and Texas Rangers are tied for first place in the AL West at the moment with 65-66 records each. Houston is a postseason contender but it has been a disappointing season for the ball club, and the Astros and general manager Dana Brown mutually parted ways on Monday.

16. Texas Rangers (+1)

The Rangers are not exactly playing their best baseball, but the AL West remains wide open. Texas could win the division, but the team needs more consistency to make noise in the playoffs.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (+2)

The Blue Jays have begun to display signs of potential recent weeks. They are just 5-5 over their past 10 games, but Toronto is just 1.5 games back of an AL Wild Card spot.

18. Pittsburgh Pirates (-3)

It seemed as if the Pirates were possibly going to contend this season. They are falling out of the postseason conversation, though. Pittsburgh is now 63-69. Barring a late-season turnaround, the Pirates will likely miss the playoffs once again.

19. Baltimore Orioles (-3)

The Orioles remain in contention in the weak American League despite sitting at 63-68. Baltimore has question marks on its roster but the postseason remains within reach.

20. Minnesota Twins (-)

The Twins have been up and down all year for the most part. They are falling back in the AL Central, as they now trail the first place White Sox by 5.5 games. Like many other mediocre AL teams this year, the Wild Card remains a possibility for them.

21. Cincinnati Reds (+2)

The Reds have endured a frustrating season. They are in last place in the NL Central and have dealt with a number of injuries. The future is bright for Cincinnati, but this isn’t their season.

22. Seattle Mariners (+2)

The Mariners have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments. The weak AL is keeping their postseason hopes afloat, but Seattle has underperformed in a concerning manner.

23. Detroit Tigers (-5)

The Tigers seemed like they could still be a playoff contender despite trading Tarik Skubal at the deadline. They were playing respectable baseball immediately after moving one of the best pitchers in the game. Detroit is beginning to fall out of contention, though, as the ball club has gone 2-8 over its past 10 games.

24. Washington Nationals (-2)

The Nationals are surely beginning to shift their focus to the future. The NL is too competitive for them to compete right now. Washington features a number of players with promising futures, however.

25. New York Mets (-)

The Mets’ disappointing season has them sitting toward the bottom of our MLB Power Rankings. They have performed better in recent weeks, going 6-4 over their past 10 games. New York will look to finish the season strong.

26. Kansas City Royals (+1)

The Royals will be one of the most dangerous teams down the stretch as far as spoilers are concerned. They are hot right now, having won nine of their past 10 games. Contending ball clubs cannot overlook the Royals despite their 58-74 record.

27.  San Francisco Giants (-1)

The Giants’ difficult season has continued in recent weeks, as they are 2-8 over their past 10 games. San Francisco will attempt to turn things around soon.

28. Los Angeles Angels (+2)

At the very least, the Angels are no longer the worst team in our MLB Power Rankings. That’s something I guess.

29. Athletics (-)

The Athletics are focused on the future at this point. Many of their star players are injured and this season has been underwhelming overall for the ball club.

30. Colorado Rockies (-2)

The Rockies just cannot seem to figure things out. They are now the worst team in our power rankings. Given the Angels and Athletics’ inconsistency, though, that could certainly change by next week.

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