MLB Power Rankings: Preseason
Opening Day. Two of the greatest words to ever be combined. It represents the start of a 162-game season. It means we get baseball games every day (except for a couple days in July for the All Star break) until the end of the World Series in late October. More than that, it represents hope, of spring blooming, the start of a story just waiting to be written. What will the 2026 MLB season have in store? Grab that ice cold beer, grill those hot dogs, cue the National Anthem, and let’s play ball! Here are my Opening Day Power Rankings:
12. Milwaukee Brewers
The team with the best record in baseball last year should be toward the top of the power rankings, right? Right? Wrong! Now, I have mentioned before that I constantly undervalue this team and most of the time I am wrong, but when I look at their current roster, I see that it’s good but not great. The return of Brandon Woodruff will be an interesting story to watch. They have a good lineup but the pitching depth is a concern. But watch them win the division.
11. Atlanta Braves
Since winning a World Series in 2021, the Braves have been struggling to get back to a deep postseason run. A lot of that has to do with injuries and unfortunately, they are already filling up the Injured List early. For now, Ronald Acuna Jr is healthy and that is a huge presence to have back. They should have enough to compete. My other big question is the pitching. Chris Sale had a fantastic resurgent year in 2025 but he’s not getting any younger. Spencer Strider is on the IL to start the year. Is Reynaldo Lopez legit? We’ll have to see.
10. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles look to bounce back and make the postseason after a disappointing 2025. The pitching last year was bad. They went out and got some arms to give them a solid rotation. They also signed Pete Alonso, a veteran bat to add to one of the best young lineups in the league. The AL East division is going to be a gauntlet, and the O’s are the first of many AL East teams to make these power rankings.
9. Boston Red Sox
Speaking of the AL East, the Boston Red Sox are just as equipped to make the postseason. They might have lost Alex Bregman but this is still a very good lineup full of star potential. They have one of the best pitchers on the planet, Garrett Crochet, leading the rotation. The ceiling is high for the Red Sox in 2026.
8. New York Mets
The Mets made a lot of changes to the roster in the offseason. The pitching and the lineup both have many new names - Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr, to name a few. That’s a lot of key players new to the team. How quickly will they be able to gel, if at all? They will be a very intriguing team to watch but on paper, there is certainly no lack of talent.
7. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are heading into 2026 not just hoping to play well. It’s a World Series or bust attitude. That’s something that hasn’t been around in Detroit for a long time. Along with the reigning Cy Young, Tarik Skubal, the Tigers added Framber Valdez and welcomed back Justin Verlander to the rotation. The lineup has some holes but showed real signs of playing up to potential last season. If the offense can improve, this will be a hard team to beat.
6. New York Yankees
The Yankees are looking to make it back to the World Series in 2026. They will start the season a bit banged up in the rotation but if they can get healthy, especially the return of Gerrit Cole, this team will be very, very good. You always have a chance when you have Aaron Judge on your team. His only flaw is his lack of stepping up in the big moments, it will be an interesting storyline to follow if the Yankees go far this postseason.
5. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners were agonizingly close to reaching the World Series for the first time in their history last year. In 2026, they enter as one of the favorites to win the AL pennant. A nasty rotation, a nasty bullpen. No doubt there. The offense finally showed signs they can compete last season, as Cal Raleigh had a breakout year and came close to winning MVP. If he can be anywhere close to that performance and they stay healthy, Seattle will be in a great position to finally pop their World Series cherry.
4. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs made a return to the postseason in 2025. Since winning the World Series in 2016, Chicago has not had much success in October. This year, I see them as one of the best teams in the NL. They do lack some depth, but the pieces they do have can compete with any team in the league. If Daniel Palencia is anywhere near as electric as he was in the WBC, good luck beating this team in late innings.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
It feels like time is running out for the Phillies to win the championship with their current core. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto, and Kyle Schwarber still have a competitive window but aren’t getting any younger. And other than a World Series appearance in 2022, they haven’t had much success in October. They have a great shot to win now, but if they don’t, I’m not sure how long this team will stay intact.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays went on a great run in 2025 and came very close to winning a World Series until Miguel Rojas happened (sorry if any Blue Jays fans are reading this but it’s being written by a Dodger fan). They proved last year they are a legit championship threat. Although they lost Bo Bichette to the Mets. They did go out and add to their pitching with Dylan Cease and this is still a very good lineup. Credit where credit is due, the Blue Jays offense in the World Series was some of the best team hitting I have ever seen. Also, Vladdy Jr is one the most exciting players in the world to watch.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
The back-to-back World Series champs (that feels so good to say) top the list entering 2026. They had two roster weaknesses going into the offseason and they fixed them with adding outfield depth in Kyle Tucker, and have an actual closer now with Edwin Diaz. There’s not much I need to say to convince you this is the best roster in baseball. It’s really just a matter how many games they will win, some are picking them to break the all-time record of 116. But the Dodgers only real goal is to win the World Series and become the first NL team ever to 3-peat. It should be a fun season in LA!