Jun 18, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

Following five weeks away from the top position, the two-time defending World Series champions have returned to number one.

The Los Angeles Dodgers took back the MLB Power Rankings lead in Week 12, halting an Atlanta Braves streak that started in Week 7. These two National League frontrunners remain the sole squads to hold the No. 1 spot this season.

Elsewhere, the top 5 saw no shifts, although the Chicago White Sox climbed into the top 10, rising from No. 13 to No. 8 after defeating the Braves twice and capturing two of three versus the Dodgers.

Our expert panel ranked every club using a mix of recent results and prior expectations heading into the 162-game season. We also invited ESPN MLB analysts Jesse Rogers, Buster Olney and David Schoenfield to share insights on all 30 teams.

Week 11 | Preseason rankings

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 48-27
Previous ranking: 2

The standout moment from the past week came from Yoshinobu Yamamoto's near-perfect outing against the White Sox. He lost perfection when Mookie Betts mishandled a grounder with two outs in the eighth, then lost the no-hitter when Tristan Peters homered to open the ninth, echoing last year when Yamamoto surrendered a no-hitter on a late homer in Baltimore. Regarding Betts, is there worry over his batting average near .200 and OBP below .300? Notably, his plate discipline stays strong, yet his walk rate has fallen from the 94th percentile two years ago to the 24th percentile. Pitchers challenge him more frequently now. - Schoenfield

2. Atlanta Braves

Record: 46-27
Previous ranking: 1

The rotation performed well all year but has encountered recent issues. Spencer Strider went on the injured list with an elbow problem after his velocity dipped below 90 mph in Friday's start. Though the MRI showed nothing, he will rest four weeks aiming for a late return after rehab. Bryce Elder, who benefited from a low BABIP early, now carries a 7.20 ERA across his last four starts. Rookie JR Ritchie takes Strider's rotation spot, but with Grant Holmes and Martin Perez limited to about five innings and Ritchie similar, the bullpen faces extra work. - Schoenfield

3. Milwaukee Brewers

Record: 45-26
Previous ranking: 3

Jackson Chourio has returned fully and performed strongly after missing the start of the season with a hand injury. He shared NL Player of the Week honors with teammate Jacob Misiorowski, batting .448 with five homers, 10 RBIs, eight runs and a .966 slugging over six games. At just 22 and signed through 2033, Chourio will anchor the next Brewers era as the club continues developing talent from its top farm system, highlighted by Cooper Pratt's MLB debut this week. - Rogers

4. New York Yankees

Record: 45-27
Previous ranking: 4

Aaron Boone received poor production from shortstops in 2025, with the team's 1.2 fWAR at the position tied for 25th. This year Jose Caballero and Anthony Volpe have split time there, and the Yankees' shortstops have already exceeded last year's output with 1.5 fWAR ranking 11th entering Wednesday. Genuine competition exists for the role now. - Olney

5. Tampa Bay Rays

Record: 41-30
Previous ranking: 5

Any ranking of underrated players must feature Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay's designated hitter. In the first All-Star vote round this week, Diaz placed third among AL DHs despite a .313 average and OPS+ near 150. He has earned All-Star honors only once, in 2023, and has hit .296 or better across six seasons including 2026. As the Rays have controlled payroll lately by cycling veterans, they have consistently retained Diaz. - Olney

6. Philadelphia Phillies

Record: 40-34
Previous ranking: 6

On Tuesday Kyle Schwarber made his first start at first base since arriving with the Phillies and hit his MLB-leading 25th homer, though no balls came his way defensively. Despite Bryce Harper's weak defensive metrics this year, the move simply gave Harper a DH day rather than signaling a role shift. In Monday's victory Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit his first MLB homer. With Adolis Garcia on the 60-day IL and struggling at the plate, Rincones has a real shot at the right-field job. - Schoenfield

7. St. Louis Cardinals

Record: 40-32
Previous ranking: 9

A power surge last week saw the Cardinals hit the second-most homers in the NL over six games, trailing only the Colorado Rockies who benefited from Coors Field and Las Vegas Ballpark. Seven different players homered, led by Alec Burleson with three. St. Louis stands among baseball's top stories this season, further boosting its offense with Lars Nootbaar's return. This may no longer be merely a promising start; the Cardinals could contend through the finish. - Rogers

8. Chicago White Sox

Record: 38-34
Previous ranking: 13

The White Sox completed a strong week amid a demanding schedule stretch. They swept two from the Braves then took their three-game set from the Dodgers with a comeback in Sunday's finale. Chicago plated six runs in the sixth to overcome a 1-0 deficit on three homers that inning. Their hallmark remains power: the White Sox rank among league leaders in slugging and trail only the Yankees in homers. Even without injured Munetaka Murakami, their power has held steady. - Rogers

9. Cleveland Guardians

Record: 39-35
Previous ranking: 8

Life without Jose Ramirez opened quietly Tuesday as the Guardians managed one run in a loss to the Brewers. Gabriel Arias collected two hits and Cleveland's only RBI at third base, yet no one replaces the club's top player, who will miss five to seven weeks with a hamate injury. Cleveland's best survival path lies with its pitching staff, long a strength, though scoring remains essential and harder without Ramirez. - Rogers

10. Seattle Mariners

Record: 38-37
Previous ranking: 7

The question is not if top prospect Kade Anderson will reach Seattle's roster this year but when. The No. 3 pick from last summer's draft has dominated Double-A, fanning 82 in his first 55 2/3 innings while walking just seven. With a deep rotation the Mariners may shift Anderson to the bullpen and call him up, potentially giving manager Dan Wilson a third lefty reliever. In last fall's playoffs Wilson had only one left-hander available, Gabe Speier. - Olney

11. Chicago Cubs

Record: 39-36
Previous ranking: 11

The Cubs' pitching injuries have stayed under the radar amid offensive struggles. Closer Daniel Palencia landed on the IL with right elbow inflammation the same day starter Edward Cabrera exited early with a hand cramp. A partial list of other injured pitchers includes Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Hunter Harvey and top prospect Jaxon Wiggins. A surge in the standings looks unlikely with so many sidelined. - Rogers

12. Arizona Diamondbacks

Record: 38-36
Previous ranking: 12

The Diamondbacks have played 25 one-run games, most in MLB, and stand 13-12 in them. The bullpen sits middle of the pack in ERA, yet closer Paul Sewald has stabilized after early April struggles. He owns four losses but has converted 18 of 19 save chances. Kevin Ginkel has recovered from a 2025 injury-plagued year to regain 2023-24 form, Juan Morillo has excelled and 33-year-old Taylor Clarke has contributed despite a low strikeout rate. Rookie lefty Brandyn Garcia had one poor outing but otherwise performed well. What appeared a major preseason concern has become a potential asset. - Schoenfield

13. Washington Nationals

Record: 39-36
Previous ranking: 17

The Nationals finished the weekend with strong 8-3 and 10-1 wins over the Mariners while continuing to lead MLB in runs scored, notable after finishing 20th last year without major offseason additions. Better starting pitching has also emerged. Foster Griffin lowered his ERA to 3.32 after allowing one run Tuesday. Andrew Alvarez has surrendered four runs across three starts since entering the rotation, albeit in short outings totaling 12 2/3 innings, which the Nationals will accept. Cade Cavalli has been reliable with a 3.98 ERA. The Nationals climb these rankings because they have played well. - Schoenfield

14. Pittsburgh Pirates

Record: 38-37
Previous ranking: 10

This stands out: the Pirates have dropped the past six games started by Paul Skenes. He has taken the loss in four of them. Damage has occurred after he departed some outings, and he has not dominated as usual. There was a five-run game against him followed by a four-run effort, though he has been solid in June allowing five earned runs over three starts. He has not pitched beyond six innings since May 12 and has issued more walks than desired, seven in the past four games. Still, as Skenes, excellence should return soon. - Rogers

15. San Diego Padres

Record: 38-35
Previous ranking: 15

A notable stat: Mason Miller has yet to allow an extra-base hit. If he reaches 60 innings by season's end, the record for fewest extra-base hits allowed in at least 60 innings is four, achieved five times, most recently by Craig Kimbrel and Fernando Rodney in 2012. A less positive stat that may influence A.J. Preller at the trade deadline: the Padres' rotation ranks 24th in strikeout rate. The offense's best hope rests on Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. improving, but rotation upgrades will require a trade. - Schoenfield

16. Athletics

Record: 36-38
Previous ranking: 19

Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz will attract All-Star notice for their early play. Within the A's context, J.T. Ginn has been vital and equally deserving, bolstering a generally struggling pitching staff. Across 16 outings including three relief appearances, Ginn owns a 2.91 ERA while limiting opponents to a .298 on-base percentage and .331 slugging. - Olney

17. Texas Rangers

Record: 35-38
Previous ranking: 14

The Rangers' anticipated pitching strength has not materialized as hoped. Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker have handled all but three starts, yet deGrom is the only one with an ERA under 4. Texas carries a 4.19 rotation ERA ranking 12th. Home runs have plagued the starters, who have allowed 58, tied for fourth-most in MLB. - Olney

18. Toronto Blue Jays

Record: 36-38
Previous ranking: 16

When Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited the lineup last weekend with a back issue, the shutdown offered the Jays a chance to rest the struggling slugger. The first baseman has endured slumps before, but his extended power drought is new. Through Sunday he had one homer in his prior 56 games and an OPS+ of 100, merely league average for a player far from ordinary.