2026 MLB Power Rankings: Week 14 Update

Matt Damon is Odysseus. Noah Kahan is on tour. And the Red Sox won 15 in a row to get back in the playoff race.

It’s truly a Boston summer.

The Sox have won 16 of their last 17 games and sprung into the wild card race. Once viewed as sellers this deadline, Boston instead has positioned themselves to add and go for a pennant in a weak American League.

If they were to add, Boston could become the feel-good story of the 2026 season. Pitching has quickly become a must for them, as Ranger Suarez and Connelly Early have hit the shelf, and a new shortstop would do wonders as well.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

1. Dodgers

The Dodgers are a cool 5-2 to start the second half of the season.

They started with a series win against the Yankees in the Bronx, took a trip to Philly to win a series against an expected roadblock to a third pennant, then won a close 4-2 game over the Mets thanks to a Kyle Tucker homer.

Los Angeles (NL) is now an imposing 66-38, getting healthy into the later months. It’s going to be interesting to see what they add at the deadline.

2. Brewers

Hey, guess who else is 5-2 in the second half? That would be the Brewers.

Milwaukee continues to be regular season warriors, and in 2026, have registered a 64-39 record as of July 25. The offense continues to play small ball, and they’re getting big contributions in the power department from Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio.

This team could really use a big bat. But that’s said every year. If they stay healthy, however, the lineup might have enough juice with veteran Christian Yelich. Oh, and there’s that Jacob Misiorowski guy, who currently holds a 1.57 ERA and 13.5 K/9.

3. Rays

Like the Brewers, the Rays could really use a big deadline acquisition.

They’re 60-42, have a slim two-game lead over an injured Yankees team, and are getting out-of-world production from 22-year-old Junior Caminero.

This team could use another bat. Only three mainstays in the lineup are above league-average OPS+ wise. But they’ve also been connected to Tarik Skubal. Maybe in a year where 2027 is in question the Rays push their chips in. At least they should. Especially with another series against the Yankees looming in September.

4. Yankees

These power rankings have spent a lot of time on Ben Rice. So let’s give Cam Schlittler his flowers.

Friday’s start was utter dominance. Schlittler punched out 12 Phillies across 7 1/3 innings, allowing a fluttering Yanks offense to sneak away with a 1-0 win.

Schlittler has been a sparkplug for a rotation that has dealt with injury all year. With Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole, and Max Fried all missing time, the 25-year-old has carried the staff. He leads the AL in ERA (2.02), bWAR (4.6), innings (130 1/3), strikeouts (157), WHIP (0.929), and ERA+ (203). Yeah, Schlittler would be the Cy Young if the season ended today.

5. Braves

Atlanta went through a funk in June, going 9-14 and giving serious ground to the Phillies in the NL East. The second half, however, has gone differently.

The Braves are 12-8 in July, and have gone 5-2 out of the break. They’ve opened their lead to a healthy 5.5 games, and should be getting Ronald Acuña Jr. back in their lineup soon.

Atlanta falls under the category of true buyer for the upcoming deadline, and desperately needs a second starter come playoff time. Chris Sale has dominated with a 2.19 ERA at age 35, but Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, and Martín Pérez won’t be enough to take down the Dodgers.

6. Red Sox

It’s the summer of the Sox. But let’s start with the Red ones.

A 37-48 record on July 1 had the Sox talking of selling off Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Aroldis Chapman. But 16 wins later have put the Sox in buyer contention.

This is by no means a bad team. They’ve just been injured and underperformed. Young guys in Anthony Seigler and Ceddanne Rafaela have provided serviceable offense, Suárez and Early were thriving before hitting the 15-day IL, and Masataka Yoshida is slugging .625 over his last 15 games.

What they do at the deadline will be interesting. They could use another starter and bullpen piece. Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver would be great fits.

7. Phillies

Philadelphia has tumbled a little out of the break. But that’s expected when you play the Dodgers and Yankees.

The Phillies are on a three-game losing streak, mostly due to their top-heavy offense. Kyle Schwarber could win an MVP with Shohei Ohtani not pitching and Juan Soto‘s calf flaring up. Then there’s Bryce Harper and … Brandon Marsh?

Yeah, those three are the only batters with OPS+’s above 100. The rest are making big bucks, but struggling mightily. Again, another team that could use something at the deadline. They’ve been connected to Luis Robert Jr., but their prospects aren’t strong and the Mets might not deal with a division rival. But they need some serious help for their stellar rotation.

8. Cubs

Like the Braves, the Cubs have corrected their course.

They’re still six games behind the Brewers for the division, but their 58-45 record has them as the top wild card on July 25.

Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to stir the drink for the Cubs, leading the NL in bWAR (6.2) and pairing it with 22 homers and a .913 OPS. His contribution has been incredibly necessary, as the offense has seriously quieted down since their white-hot start.

The rotation also has done enough to get by. David Peterson has been far from great (5.57 ERA), but he pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Tigers Tuesday. List the Cubs as another pennant hopeful team that needs a starter.

9. White Sox

It’s July 25 and the White Sox are in first place. Miracles do happen.

The offense has been the de facto reason the Sox have been sensational this year. The entire offense has OPS+’s above 100, and has gotten a boost from Miguel Vargas breaking out at 26.

It’s time they get their flowers. And even if they don’t take the division against the Guardians or Twins, this is a massive accomplishment for the organization. Their rotation of Sean Burke, Davis Martin, and Anthony Kay has won ball games during the summer, and time will tell if it can bring them to the fall.

10. Pirates

Let’s clear something up. Pittsburgh has no intention of trading Oneil Cruz. Those rumors were false. Let’s carry on.

Pittsburgh is hanging by a thread right now. They’re 53-51, the offense is starting to cool, and the rotation hasn’t lived up to its prodigious reputation.

If they’re to stay in the wild card hunt and in the top-10 of these lists, they need serious help. And a lot. A starter, closer, and big bat are needs for the Pirates. Will it come in one big move? Multiple? Or will Ben Cherington hug his prospects? Guess we’ll wait and see.

Rest of the Field

11. Diamondbacks
12. Rangers
13. Mariners
14. Guardians
15. Cardinals
16. Nationals
17. Marlins
18. Tigers
19. Orioles
20. Padres
21. Astros
22. Twins
23. Reds
24. Blue Jays
25. Mets
26. Giants
27. Angels
28. Royals
29. Rockies
30. Athletics