We’re nearly a month into the 2026 MLB season, and whereas the No. 1 crew has stood sturdy atop our listing, that hasn’t been the case for quite a lot of playoff hopefuls.
The Mets are making headlines for a 12-game losing streak that lastly ended Wednesday night time, however has dropped them to the backside of standings and all the solution to No. 27 on our Week 4 listing. But they don’t seem to be alone in that downfall — the Phillies have the worst run differential in the majors, and the Astros and Red Sox are at the backside of their divisions.
Meanwhile, the Athletics are atop the American League West, the Reds are tied for the fourth-best report in baseball and the Twins are one sport behind the AL Central-leading Guardians. Who may’ve predicted this 4 weeks in the past?!
What will the month of May deliver for these golf equipment? Will they have the ability to carry — or change — their momentum?
Our professional panel has ranked each crew based mostly on a mixture of what we have seen to date and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that may be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB specialists Jesse Rogers, Jorge Castillo and Bradford Doolittle to weigh in with an commentary for every crew.
Record: 16-8
Preseason rating: 1
While it is tempting to drill down on how inconceivable it’s that Max Muncy is hitting .293 with eight homers and but has simply 9 RBIs, let’s give a few of the Dodgers’ appreciable highlight to the resurgence of Andy Pages. We knew Pages was rather a lot higher than his horrific struggles of final October, when he went 4-for-51 (.078) with zero walks for the champs. But this a lot better? Well, his .439 BABIP to date strongly means that his .353 common will not maintain up. But he has additionally added greater than 3 mph to his common exit velocity, so there are some actual enhancements. For Dodgers’ opponents, that is simply what they wanted: one extra explosive batting slot to take care of. — Doolittle
Record: 17-8
Preseason rating: 3
The Braves are who we thought they had been final season. They rank second in runs allowed and lead MLB in runs scored regardless of a number of key accidents and Ronald Acuna Jr. getting off to a comparatively sluggish begin. That’s an actual recipe for fulfillment. With Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim slated to return off the injured listing quickly, Atlanta seems to be the class of the National League East as soon as once more. — Castillo
Record: 15-9
Preseason rating: 2
The run-it-back Yankees are one of the greatest, if not the greatest, teams in the AL. The beginning rotation is elite — and that is with out Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole, who are anticipated to return by early June. Ben Rice leads the majors in OBP, slugging and OPS+. Cody Bellinger is warming up. They have a man named Aaron Judge who has 9 dwelling runs. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ryan McMahon and Austin Wells are all struggling and the bullpen is a weak point, however the Yankees have the basis for a deep October run. — Castillo
Record: 16-8
Preseason rating: 4
The Padres have Mason Miller, and different teams do not. At the second, that is by far their greatest aggressive benefit. Miller has gone to a different dimension, or not less than his pitches appear to seem magically from one. You mustn’t cite 162-game paces this early for any participant, particularly not a brief reliever. But we’ll do it anyway, as a result of taking a look at Miller’s paces is like catching a glimpse of the chic. He hasn’t been scored on (0.00 ERA, clearly) and, per Fangraphs, his paces are for 56 saves, 190 strikeouts — as a one-inning reliever! — and 14 hits allowed. His fWAR tempo is 6.4, and he is placing out 21.4 batters per 9 innings. It shouldn’t be unreasonable to think about whether or not Miller will get some severe Cy Young chatter. — Doolittle
Record: 15-9
Preseason rating: 10
Pinch-hitting stats in April aren’t precisely the go-to web page for followers, however they inform a narrative for the Cubs, who rank fifth in scoring in MLB. Through 24 video games, Cubs pinch hitters have already got 1 / 4 of the at-bats they did all of final season — and it is not as a result of the crew would not have a gaggle of excellent hitters. It’s the reverse, the truth is. Manager Craig Counsell has a lot religion in his bench that he can discover favorable platoon matchups each time he wishes. It has led to some large hits off the bench, together with a three-run dwelling run from catcher Carson Kelly to assist beat the Mets on Saturday after which a pinch-hit RBI double by Michael Conforto to do the similar Sunday. Chicago has a deep lineup. — Rogers
Record: 16-9
Preseason rating: 16
Cincinnati’s bullpen has been nothing in need of wonderful, resulting in one of the greatest stats of the first month: The Reds are 6-0 in one run video games, together with 3-0 in additional innings. They’re additionally 8-3 towards plus .500 teams and 9-3 on the street. There’s more likely to be some regression, however they’ve earned these wins due to the greatest clutch pitching in the sport regardless of an OPS at the plate that ranks simply above the Mets for worst in MLB. Pitching is the title of the sport for Cincinnati, and gamers reminiscent of Connor Phillips, Brock Burke, Graham Ashcraft and Pierce Johnson are getting it accomplished. — Rogers
Record: 13-10
Preseason rating: 9
Not in contrast to final April, the story of the Brewers to date is their accidents. They are enjoying with out Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, Quinn Priester and Andrew Vaughn, amongst others. It has put a pressure on their depth, however nearly no crew is extra geared up to play — and win — shorthanded than Milwaukee. Jake Bauers (5 dwelling runs) has stepped up. So have pitchers Chad Patrick and Grant Anderson. With Trevor Megill getting hit rather a lot and Abner Uribe just a little, the Brewers will want different contributors — not less than till the injured gamers return. Chourio is not far off. — Rogers
Record: 13-12
Preseason rating: 7
At current, 21-year-old rookie Kevin McGonigle leads all AL place gamers in bWAR. Take that Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. McGonigle has been the full package deal to date, however what’s such a pleasure to look at is his veteran-like grind at the plate. He’s ultra-patient, however when he swings, he makes contact and has plus extra-base means when that contact is made. That’s the full package deal. Over the final couple of offseasons, the narrative round the Tigers is that they could want an injection of star energy into an in any other case deep and regular roster to take that subsequent step. But if we had totally realized how good McGonigle was going to be, we would have higher understood Detroit’s want to do that organically. — Doolittle
Record: 14-10
Preseason rating: 8
So, are the Pirates for actual? They suppose so — even claiming that previous good begins have been “fluky” in comparison with this season. You can have a look at the glass as half full: Paul Skenes hasn’t been dominant and but the crew is over .500. Or, you’ll be able to see regression coming at the plate: Are gamers reminiscent of Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn going to maintain their OPS round .900 all season lengthy? Probably not. Cruz may be the key, even when Lowe and O’Hearn present that regression. Cruz has the talent set to dominate at the plate and on the bases. As he goes, so may the Pirates. Where this crew goes this yr can be enjoyable to look at. — Rogers
Record: 14-12
Preseason rating: 13
Chase DeLauter has cooled after his blistering begin, however the sky stays the restrict for the child from West Virginia. The 24-year-old has overcome an avalanche of accidents throughout his developmental years, and his presence on the Guardians, who are higher than we thought (as at all times), has added some character to the make-up of a roster that may appear a bit faceless past no-brainer Hall of Famer Jose Ramirez.
DeLauter can hit, and at the same time as his common has dipped, he nonetheless has walked greater than he has struck out and has flashed loads of energy. Best of all, although, is the walk-up tune — John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” It’s one of these songs that the crowd retains singing effectively after the walk-up snippet of it stops enjoying. Soon, the nationwide baseball viewers goes to wish to change into acquainted with DeLauter. — Doolittle
Record: 12-12
Preseason rating: 11
How a lot is New York regretting buying and selling Brandon Nimmo to Texas? The Mets’ loss is the Rangers’ achieve as Nimmo has wanted little time to regulate to his new environment. Perhaps he is the offensive spark the crew has been on the lookout for since successful the World Series in 2023. Maybe that is a bit dramatic, however the wanted enhance is not, as the Rangers have been offensively challenged over the previous couple of years — a few of that because of the park they play in. It hasn’t stopped Nimmo, although, who has an OPS north of .900. Sending Marcus Semien to the Mets for him seems like a house run for Texas president of baseball operations Chris Young. — Rogers
Record: 14-10
Preseason rating: 19
The Diamondbacks have prevented getting buried in the NL West regardless of an offense that has suffered too many accidents and underperformances. On the latter entrance, you’ll be able to zero in on Arizona’s veteran-laden infield the place Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo and Nolan Arenado all have OPS+ figures effectively beneath 100, which is the common. The Diamondbacks have subsisted by successful their fair proportion of an uncommon variety of shut video games. And not all the information has been dangerous for the offense. Corbin Carroll is in MVP type, and Ildemaro Vargas has been a revelation. But they want extra from the gamers they had been relying on or the dominators of the West will put some actual distance between themselves and the Snakes. — Doolittle
Record: 11-15
Preseason rating: 6
Quick, who leads the Mariners in dwelling runs after 4 weeks? Not Cal Raleigh. Not Julio Rodriguez. No, it is not Randy Arozarena or newcomer Brendan Donovan both. It’s proper fielder Luke Raley, who has 5 in 72 at-bats to date after hitting 4 in 183 final yr. His present tempo is extra according to the 22 homers he hit in 2024. The Mariners have usually been inconsistent at the plate whereas enjoying in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, so if Raley can sustain his tempo, he might be an added bonus to a lineup that ought to present much more in the coming months. He and Donovan have been Seattle’s greatest hitters to date. — Rogers
Record: 13-11
Preseason rating: 15
The Rays have overcome their payroll drawback to compete over the years by establishing top-tier pitching staffs. So far this yr, although, the offense has lugged the pitching employees to .500 territory. Tampa Bay ranks as a bottom-five crew in the majors in ERA and FIP. The offense, in the meantime, has 5 regulars with an OPS+ of 105 or larger, as Yandy Diaz leads the means and Chandler Simpson wreaks havoc from the leadoff spot. — Castillo
Record: 12-13
Preseason rating: 12
Baltimore invested $155 million in Pete Alonso to provide energy in the center of its lineup behind Gunnar Henderson. That hasn’t occurred but. Alonso has three dwelling runs and a .372 slugging proportion via 25 video games. Those numbers are alarming for a slugger whose profession lows over a full season are 34 dwelling runs and a .459 slugging proportion. One metric to notice: Alonso’s bat pace is right down to a median of 73.7 mph from 75.3 mph final season. — Castillo
Record: 10-14
Preseason rating: 17
Around this time a yr in the past, the Blue Jays had been .500 and remained there till the finish of May earlier than occurring an surprising run that led to Game 7 of the World Series. So it is too early to depend them out. But even the greatest teams can abdomen solely so many accidents, and Toronto is being examined. Here’s an incomplete listing of gamers at present sidelined: George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Addison Barger, Anthony Santander, Trey Yesavage, José Berríos, Cody Ponce and Bowden Francis. Ponce and Francis are out for the season. Santander will not return till September at the earliest, if in any respect. The others will trickle again over the subsequent weeks and months. For now, Toronto should keep afloat whereas shorthanded. — Castillo
Record: 14-10
Preseason rating: 26
The Cardinals have defied expectations in the standings over the first 4 weeks, however is it sustainable? They rank in the backside 5 in ERA, and that even features a goose egg from nearer Riley O’Brien. He’s one motive the Cardinals are above .500, as he has blown simply one save in seven possibilities. And whereas the crew ERA is not something to put in writing dwelling about, the Cardinals have been excellent in high-leverage moments, rating in the top 5 in clutch pitching, in line with FanGraphs. Those moments are what matter most, and whether or not or not it’s at the plate or on the mound, the Cardinals have been a nice shock to their followers to date. — Rogers
Record: 8-16
Preseason rating: 5
One of the Phillies’ supposed strengths this season, even with out Zack Wheeler to start the yr, was their beginning rotation. Instead, Philadelphia ranks close to the backside of the majors in starter ERA. Cristopher Sanchez, the reigning NL Cy Young runner-up, is the solely starter performing to expectations. Wheeler is scheduled to return Saturday towards the Braves, however the Phillies want Jesus Luzardo (6.91 ERA), Aaron Nola (5.06 ERA) and Andrew Painter (4.42 ERA) to enhance to reverse course. — Castillo
Record: 12-12
Preseason rating: 14
The Twins are … arduous to learn. They’ve performed stable, just-better-than-average baseball and positively exceeded preseason expectations in the early going. But once you have a look at the supply of the shock, it will get just a little murky. One factor we will say for positive is that the rotation has been excellent, with Taj Bradley rising as one of the breakout pitchers in baseball to date. Can the Twins stick with it? Maybe not, however in a league that has a low bar for competition, the actual query may be whether or not Minnesota can cling shut sufficient lengthy sufficient that it discourages ideas of subtracting at the commerce deadline, particularly when pondering a doable Joe Ryan commerce. It’ll be on the Twins from right here to validate their stable starting. — Doolittle
Record: 13-12
Preseason rating: 22
As it seems, catcher Shez Langeliers may be the greatest hitter on the A’s. At least he has been in April. There has seemingly been a distinct greatest hitter each month going again over the previous couple of years. Remember Lawrence Butler‘s popping out occasion? How about Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson? All are off to slower begins this season. And whereas 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz is taking his walks and getting on base, he has been a little bit of a three-true-outcomes man to date. The level is, if the A’s may ever get the entire group hitting for an prolonged time frame, they might be actually harmful. But we knew that already. — Rogers
Record: 9-15
Preseason rating: 20
Boston’s lack of power shouldn’t be a whole shock — it was a priority going into the season. Garrett Crochet carrying a 7.88 ERA via 5 begins, nonetheless, is a distinct matter. The reigning AL Cy Young Award runner-up has allowed 21 earned runs in 4 outings since starting his season with six scoreless frames on Opening Day. He allowed 5 runs over 5 innings towards the Tigers on Sunday after surrendering 11 runs (10 earned) in 1⅔ innings towards the Twins final week. With Sonny Gray on the IL, Brayan Bello additionally scuffling and an offense with out a lot punch, the Red Sox want Crochet to seek out his footing. — Castillo
Record: 12-13
Preseason rating: 21
Miami’s rebuild is seemingly taking the subsequent step. The Marlins had been one of baseball’s surprises final season, going 78-83 and enjoying spoiler. This season, enjoying themselves into the postseason is believable. Xavier Edwards, Otto Lopez and Liam Hicks have been three of the greatest hitters in baseball to this point. Kyle Stowers made his season debut Sunday. Sandy Alcantara has proven flashes of his Cy Young type. Eury Perez has the stuff to dominate. The gamers to compete for a wild-card spot are there. — Castillo
Record: 12-14
Preseason rating: 25
Can there be some other takeaway from the Angels’ April than Mike Trout‘s begin to the season? He’s amongst the sport’s offensive leaders once more, each in dwelling runs and OPS after placing on a present at Yankee Stadium final weekend. His walk-to-strikeout ratio — higher than 1-to-1 — is additional spectacular contemplating it was about 2-to-1 in reverse final season. Trout seems like he has that proverbial additional bounce in his step, each at the plate and in heart subject. For not less than the first 4 weeks, he seems to be his classic self once more. — Rogers
Record: 10-16
Preseason rating: 24
Remember when the Astros may pitch higher than most? Those days are slipping away as they’ve the highest ERA in baseball. Mike Burrows has an ERA that begins with 6. So does Lance McCullers. And so does Ryan Weiss. Starting to get the image? There are extra 6.00 ERAs than 3s or 4s. That’s an issue for a employees enjoying with out Hunter Brown. At least Spencer Arrighetti is off to a pleasant begin, however we’ve not even addressed the bullpen but. It’s additionally dangerous. At least Houston is ideal in save alternatives, however that is little comfort when the crew is getting so beat up earlier than the ninth inning. — Rogers
Record: 11-13
Preseason rating: 27
The Giants’ lack of collective energy is troubling. It’s not like anybody thought they’d lead the majors in homers, however we’re nearing the finish of April and San Francisco’s crew chief in homers is Willy Adames with three. The Giants have simply 14 dingers total. When you add the incontrovertible fact that that is an unathletic crew with simply 5 stolen bases, the finish result’s an offense that simply would not rating sufficient to win constantly. There is rather a lot the Giants might be doing higher, but it surely begins with that straightforward goal: Their top energy hitters — Matt Chapman, Adames and, particularly, Rafael Devers — want to start out making the ball go far. — Doolittle
Record: 11-14
Preseason rating: 28
The Nationals rank close to the backside of the majors in pitching employees ERA and FIP. Run prevention is a matter. Run manufacturing, nonetheless, shouldn’t be. Washington is third in runs per sport, seventh in OPS and tied for eighth in wRC+. James Wood, nonetheless simply 23 years previous, has reverted to his 2025 pre-All-Star-break type with an .893 OPS and 7 dwelling runs. CJ Abrams, nonetheless simply 25, is fulfilling his potential with a 190 OPS+. Joey Wiemer, Jorbit Vivas, Daylen Lile and Jose Tena have been well-above-average hitters. The Nationals are a median pitching employees away from making some noise. — Castillo
Record: 8-16
Preseason rating: 18
The Mets’ dropping streak comes right down to their offense turning into a catastrophe with out Juan Soto. They ranked final in batting common, on-base proportion, slugging proportion and OPS throughout their 12-game dropping streak earlier than Soto was activated Wednesday. Their 48 wRC+ over that span was a distant thirtieth behind the Royals’ 72. The manufacturing was worse with runners on base. Losing Soto would’ve wounded any offense, however the Mets went comatose. They’ll hope they’ll flip that round with Soto again in the lineup. — Castillo
Record: 8-17
Preseason rating: 23
When a crew is stringing collectively losses as Kansas City has been of late, it tends to be an all-systems failure — you’ll be able to level at nearly any side of the crew. For the Royals, although, there’s one factor that stands out: an nearly pathological incapacity to hit with runners in scoring place. The Royals have not hit effectively as a gaggle total, however the failings with males on base have been staggering — a sub-.200 common that ranks final in baseball. Earlier this season, there was a stat going round about how Bobby Witt Jr. had reached based mostly greater than 20 instances however scored simply as soon as. How does that occur? It occurs due to a whole absence of clutch hitting. — Doolittle
Record: 9-15
Preseason rating: 29
As the White Sox proceed to slowly rise from the lowest of factors, some issues have labored and others have not. The total trajectory stays good, even when some in Chicago develop impatient. But one determination the White Sox nailed was the signing of Munetaka Murakami, who has dispelled any questions on whether or not his energy bat would transition effectively from Japan. If you are still questioning, take a look at the 9 homers already on his ledger and discover the video of him hitting one over the batter’s eye in Sacramento. The White Sox will return to relevance with every good determination they make. Signing Murakami was an excellent one. — Doolittle
Record: 10-15
Preseason rating: 30
Suffice to say, the 2025 Rockies, losers of 119 video games, had been a membership with none strengths. The 2026 Rockies nonetheless aren’t nice, however they have been aggressive and have one clear energy: the bullpen. The Rockies personal a top-10 bullpen ERA, and that is unadjusted, that means there is not any adjustment for Coors Field in that rating. The new regime’s experimental initiatives appear to have paid off with this unit particularly, with Chase Dollander and Antonio Senzatela excelling in multi-inning roles. It’ll take a very long time to untangle the mess inherited by president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and common supervisor Josh Byrnes, however not less than there’s some progress rising. — Doolittle
