2026 MLB Power Rankings: Week 17 Update

The Detroit Tigers are an interesting case study.

They’re 60-62, yet only three and a half games out of first place and in the third wild card spot in the American League. Seems unfair, right Mets fans?

But when you peel back the curtain, Detroit has actually been one of the better teams in the league. They have a strong plus-86 run differential, an expected record of 70-52, and are 11th in runs and OPS in the majors. The Tigers have also played to a 38-24 record since June 1, the third-best record in the majors behind the Cubs and Red Sox.

This team’s legit. And currently playing their way toward the AL Central title. It makes the Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize trades incredibly peculiar.

1. Rays

It’s time to give Tampa its due. They’re elite.

The Rays dominated baseball last week, ripping off nine straight wins before losing to the Orioles Friday night in a 6-5 nail-biter. They’ve opened up a six-and-a-half game lead on the injured Yankees, and are positioning themselves to be the best team in the AL.

Liam Hicks also continues to be the best trade deadline acquisition of 2026. The catcher is now slashing .310/.459/.621 in the 37 at-bats with the Rays, providing much needed offense for the previously struggling catcher position.

Whenever the Rays are mentioned, there will also be a Freddy Peralta watch. The righty hasn’t improved with Tampa, and is pitching to a 9.31 ERA with three homers allowed in 9 2/3 innings pitched.

2. Braves

As a wise man once said, the NL East is over!

Seriously though. Atlanta has taken off in the second half, and currently lead the falling Phillies by eight and half games for the division lead.

The offense has been charged by Matt Olson, who continues to make his case for NL MVP. The first baseman leads the league in total bases (258), his 35 homers is only two homers behind Kyle Schwarber for the league lead, and his 140 OPS+ is carrying a Braves lineup that is seventh in the league in OPS (.731).

Speaking of trade deadlines, how about Tyler Mahle? Alex Anthopoulos was ridiculed for the trade, but the righty has allowed just one earned run in 12 innings pitched.

3. Dodgers

The Dodgers responded with a strong week after dropping seven straight games earlier in August.

They’re 5-2 in their last seven games, three of which came against a subpar Kansas City Royals club. Friday, however, was an impressive win against the Brewers, which saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto punch out nine batters across six innings.

The bounce-back was expected. But this team still has a hole at closer. Edwin Díaz has done everything but close out games, pitching to a 10.66 ERA in the limited 12 1/3 innings he’s pitched this year. But when you have money, it’s not really an issue, as Tanner Scott has filled the role with his 2.20 ERA.

4. Cubs

Chicago better send New York a nice flower basket for Clay Holmes.

The righty went out for his second start Friday against the Cardinals and shoved for the North Side. He went 6 1/3 scoreless innings, giving the Cubs length and a nice comfortable 3-0 win.

Starting pitching was the question going forward for the Cubs, and it seems as if their deadline has poised the club to be formidable in October. It also helps that Alex Bregman finally found his footing, as he’s slashed .289/.368/.587 with nine homers in his last 30 games.

5. Brewers

Milwaukee better check their rearview mirror.

A 5-5 stretch in your last 10 isn’t bad, but it doesn’t help when the Cubs go 8-2. The Crew’s lead in the NL Central has evaporated to three games, and it could disapear entirely with a looming series in Chicago at the end of August.

The club was swept by the Padres, had a nice comeback win Thursday off Díaz and the Dodgers in Los Angeles, but fell Friday to the strong pitching of Yamamoto. This club didn’t get a bat at the deadline. Milwaukee better hope this isn’t a repeat of 2025.

6. Red Sox

Boston really goes all in or all out.

After dominating baseball for the better part of two months, the Red Sox hit a skid and lost five games in a row. The club was able to end the streak with a 7-0 win Thursday in Toronto, but promptly lost Friday to the Pirates.

The offense is going to be the question mark with this Red Sox team. They were getting strong production from Caleb Durbin, Masataka Yoshida, and Andruw Monasterio, but now players are regressing back to their mean.

7. Yankees

This Yankees lineup continues to fall short.

Ben Rice was a great story while Aaron Judge was out, but with Rice falling back to Earth, the club hasn’t scored runs. The team has scored 16 runs in their last five games, and 10 of them came in one game.

They called up George Lombard Jr. to improve offensively and defensively at shortstop, but asking a rookie to come and save a ball club is never a good sign. They need anyone in this lineup to go on a heater.

Now this isn’t to say the Yankees are in trouble. They’re a postseason team. They just need to click before the division is far out of reach.

8. Tigers

Detroit keeps clawing their way back into the division race.

They’ve improved to 60-62, and despite losing Friday to the White Sox, they have two more games against the South Siders to cut into their AL Central lead.

Right now, the club needs to get healthy. Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter are both on the IL, but it has allowed younger players like Kevin McGonigle and Colt Keith to step up.

Whether they have the pitching will be seen. Troy Melton has dominated to a 1.46 ERA, but it would be nice to have an ace such as Skubal.

9. White Sox

Remember when no one wanted Munetaka Murakami?

Great times. He’s got 27 homers and a .909 OPS. Murakami, along with young players flourishing, have carried this club, which was evident in the 9-5 win over the Tigers Friday.

This club has juice. Fans have to hope it doesn’t run out, however, before September.

10. Padres

San Diego has quietly gone on a six-game winning streak.

It started with a series win over the Astros, then they doubled down and swept the first-place Brewers to jump into the second wild card in the NL.

Ty France (yes you read that right) has been a catalyst on offense. A much-needed pickup. He’s got a 143 OPS+ and 17 homers in just 97 games for the Friars. Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s return to greatness has also picked the club up, and the right fielder is now slugging .611 with five homers in his last 15 games.

Rest of the Field

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