MLB power rankings at the season's quarter-mark

May 14, 2026 - 01:50

A quarter of the 2024 MLB season is in the books, and the standings look nothing like the preseason projections. While the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers were the consensus top dogs in March, the early returns show a league full of surprises and early-season stumbles.

The biggest shocker? The Texas Rangers, last year's World Series champions, are not running away with the AL West. Instead, the Seattle Mariners have surged to the top, powered by a dominant starting rotation that leads the league in strikeouts. Their offense, however, remains a question mark, making them a volatile pick for the long haul. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians are defying expectations in the AL Central, playing crisp, fundamental baseball that has them ahead of the heavily favored Minnesota Twins.

In the National League, the story is the resurgence of the Milwaukee Brewers. After trading away manager Craig Counsell and ace Corbin Burnes, many wrote them off. Yet, they own the best record in the NL Central, thanks to a deep bullpen and a lineup that grinds out at-bats. The Philadelphia Phillies, after a slow start, have clawed back to relevance, but the Atlanta Braves look mortal, dealing with injuries to key bats like Austin Riley. The Dodgers remain the class of the NL West, but their pitching depth is being tested early.

The biggest disappointments so far? The Houston Astros, who sit near the bottom of the AL West after a brutal April, and the New York Mets, whose high-priced roster has yet to click. As the weather heats up, expect the trade market to start taking shape, with several teams already looking like sellers. For now, the quarter-mark tells us one thing: the preseason rankings are already outdated.