Jun 18, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

Following a five-week absence from the top position, the two-time defending World Series champions have returned to the pinnacle.

In Week 12, the Los Angeles Dodgers took back the MLB Power Rankings lead, halting the Atlanta Braves' run that started in Week 7. These NL frontrunners remain the sole squads to have held the No. 1 ranking this year.

The top five saw no shifts, yet the Chicago White Sox climbed into the top 10, advancing from No. 13 to No. 8, after defeating the Braves in a pair of games and securing two out of three against the Dodgers.

Our panel of specialists evaluated each club by blending observed performance with preseason expectations for the grueling 162-game campaign. Additionally, ESPN MLB analysts Jesse Rogers, Buster Olney and David Schoenfield provided insights on every team.

Week 11 | Preseason rankings

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 48-27
Previous ranking: 2

The standout moment from the recent week came from Yoshinobu Yamamoto's near-flawless performance against the White Sox, nearly achieving a perfect game or no-hitter. He missed perfection due to a Mookie Betts error on a grounder with two outs in the eighth, and the no-hitter slipped away when Tristan Peters homered to start the ninth - similar to last year when he lost a no-hitter on a late homer in Baltimore. Regarding Betts, is there worry over his batting average near .200 and OBP below .300? Interestingly, his plate discipline stays top-notch, yet his walk rate has fallen sharply from the 94th percentile two years ago to the 24th now. Pitchers are challenging him more frequently. -- Schoenfield

2. Atlanta Braves

Record: 46-27
Previous ranking: 1

The rotation performed strongly throughout the season but has encountered recent setbacks. Spencer Strider went on the injured list with an elbow problem after his velocity dipped below 90 mph in Friday's outing. Although the MRI showed no issues, he will rest for four weeks with a goal of returning late in the year after rehab. Bryce Elder benefited from a low BABIP early but posted 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 each and Ritchie likely similar, the bullpen faces heavier workloads. -- Schoenfield

3. Milwaukee Brewers

Record: 45-26
Previous ranking: 3

Jackson Chourio has returned fully and performed powerfully after missing the early 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 percentage in six games. At just 22, Chourio remains under contract through 2033 and will anchor future Brewers teams that continue developing talent from their strong 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 among 30 clubs. This season, 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

Yandy Diaz ranks among the game's most underrated players as Tampa Bay's designated hitter. In the first round of All-Star voting this week, Diaz placed third among AL DHs despite a .313 average and OPS+ near 150. He earned All-Star honors only once before in 2023 and has batted .296 or higher across six seasons including 2026. As the Rays managed payroll lately by cycling veterans, they have consistently retained Diaz. -- Olney

6. Philadelphia Phillies

Record: 40-34
Previous ranking: 6

Kyle Schwarber made his first start at first base for the Phillies on Tuesday and hit his MLB-leading 25th homer, though no balls came his way defensively. This move simply allowed Bryce Harper a DH day despite Harper's weaker defensive numbers this year, rather than signaling a role shift. Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit his first MLB homer in Monday's victory. With Adolis Garcia on the 60-day IL and struggling at the plate, Rincones has a real shot at claiming the right-field job. -- Schoenfield

7. St. Louis Cardinals

Record: 40-32
Previous ranking: 9

The Cardinals enjoyed a power surge last week, hitting the second-most homers in the NL over six games behind only the Rockies who played in hitter-friendly parks. Seven different players went deep, led by Alec Burleson with three. St. Louis stands out as a top storyline this season by boosting its offense further with Lars Nootbaar's return. This may no longer qualify as 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 posted a strong week amid a challenging schedule stretch. They swept two from the Braves then took their three-game series 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 calling card remains power, as they rank among league leaders in slugging and trail only the Yankees in homers. Their output has held steady even without injured Munetaka Murakami. -- Rogers

9. Cleveland Guardians

Record: 39-35
Previous ranking: 8

Life without Jose Ramirez opened quietly Tuesday as the Guardians managed just one run in a loss to the Brewers. Gabriel Arias collected two hits and drove in Cleveland's only run 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 strongest path to staying competitive lies with its pitching staff, long a strength, though scoring remains essential and tougher without Ramirez. -- Rogers

10. Seattle Mariners

Record: 38-37
Previous ranking: 7

Star prospect Kade Anderson will surely reach Seattle's roster this year; the question centers on timing. The No. 3 pick from last summer's draft has dominated in Double-A with 82 strikeouts against seven walks in his first 55 2/3 innings. Given 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 used only one left-hander, 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. Other injured pitchers include 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 a major-league high 25 one-run games and stand 13-12 in them. The bullpen sits middle of the pack in ERA, but closer Paul Sewald has stabilized after early April struggles. He owns four losses yet 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 victories over the Mariners while continuing to lead MLB in runs scored, notable given their 20th-place finish last year and lack of 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. Cade Cavalli has posted a solid 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 their past six games started by Paul Skenes. He has taken the loss in four of them. Damage has often occurred after he departed, yet he has not dominated as usual. A five-run game and then a four-run effort followed, though he has pitched better in June by allowing five earned runs over three starts. He has not gone beyond six innings since May 12 and has issued more walks than desired, including seven over the past four outings. Still, as Skenes, expect strong performances ahead. -- 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, the record for fewest extra-base hits allowed in at least 60 innings stands at four, achieved five times with the most recent by Craig Kimbrel and Fernando Rodney in 2012. A less positive note for A.J. Preller at the trade deadline: the Padres' rotation ranks 24th in strikeout rate. The offense's best hope rests on improved hitting from Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr., but rotation upgrades will require trades. -- 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 proven vital and equally deserving by supporting a generally struggling pitching staff. Across 16 outings including three in relief, Ginn owns a 2.91 ERA while limiting opponents to a .298 on-base percentage and .331 slugging percentage. -- Olney

17. Texas Rangers

Record: 35-38
Previous ranking: 14

The Rangers' expected 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 remains the only one with an ERA under 4. Texas carries a 4.19 rotation ERA ranking 12th among 30 teams. 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. Guerrero has endured slumps previously, but his extended power drought marks a first. Through Sunday he had homered once in his prior 56 games, and his OPS+ sat at 100, merely league average for a player far from ordinary.