2026 MLB Opening Day Power Rankings: Who can stop the Dodgers from a three-peat?

As Opening Day of the 2026 MLB season approaches, it’s time to take a look at how these teams stack up coming out of spring training. My methodology is no formula, all vibes. These are the teams I think are the best right now, separated into tiers.

I would love to be wrong. It would be pretty boring to have a baseball season without surprises. So bring it on, Rockies.

This will be a weekly column moving forward, starting Monday, April 6. Until then, enjoy the pageantry and optimism of Opening Day and the inevitable questioning of your manager’s bullpen decisions. ⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers Many said this time last year that the Dodgers could threaten the 2001 Mariners (116-46) for the most regular season wins in the modern era. It didn’t happen. In fact, they had to play in the Wild Card round on the way to their second straight World Series title.

With the additions of Kyle Tucker and Edwín Diaz, as well as Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound for a full season, it’s tempting to think this could be the best version of the team during their current dominant run.

However, baseball has a way of surprising us over a long season. The Dodgers already have their share of questions, including Roki Sasaki’s spring struggles and Blake Snell working his way back from a shoulder injury. Still, they are the easy No. 1 here.

2. New York Yankees This is where things start to get interesting. The Yankees won 93 games last season and we didn’t see major changes with the roster this offseason. While Aaron Judge admitted some frustration at the lack of action at one point, Brian Cashman eventually re-signed Cody Bellinger and acquired Ryan Weathers for their rotation.

Gerrit Cole is already pitching in games and should be back by the end of April, while Carlos Rodon isn’t too far behind as he returns from arthroscopic surgery on his elbow. As Aaron Judge pushes for his third-straight MVP Award, the Yankees have the potential to be the strongest team in a wide open American League field. 3) Seattle Mariners Coming off a Game 7 exit against the Blue Jays in the ALCS, the Mariners also have a strong case as the AL pennant favorites.

Yes, Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh get most of the attention nationally, but starting pitching remains the strength of this team, even with Bryce Miller slated to begin the year on the injured list with an oblique injury. The Mariners kept midseason acquisition Josh Naylor on a five-year, $92.5 million contract before adding new leadoff man Brendan Donovan in a trade with the Cardinals. There’s even more help on the way with top prospect Colt Emerson close to the majors.

4. Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies have failed to make it out of the NLDS in each of the last two years, but they remain the strongest team not named the Dodgers in the National League. The newly-extended Cristopher Sanchez arrived as one of the game’s best pitchers last season, an important development with Zack Wheeler returning from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. While Dave Dombrowski unintentionally created a kerfuffle over whether Bryce Harper is still “elite,” the lineup remains potent with Kyle Schwarber staying in the fold for five years. J.

T. Realmuto is also sticking around, but there’s a much-needed infusion of youth on this team with Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter on the Opening Day roster. 5) Detroit Tigers With Tarik Skubal on the verge of free agency, can the Tigers finally make a run at the World Series? It was a frustrating offseason at times, including Skubal’s arbitration situation, but the outlook changed significantly with the Framber Valdez addition as well as a reunion with longtime ace Justin Verlander.

Verlander led the way the last time the Tigers even made it out of the ALDS in 20

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14. Top prospect infielder Kevin McGonigle was nine years old when that happened.
15. Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays came oh-so-close to winning the World Series.

Was it just a magical run or the start of sustained success? While the club said goodbye to homegrown shortstop Bo Bichette, they brought in the likes of Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Tyler Rogers, and Cody Ponce. The Blue Jays remain a serious threat in the AL, but there are already some issues in the rotation with postseason sensation Trey Yesavage set to start the season on the IL and Shane Bieber without a clear timetable to return.

In the Hunt

7. Chicago Cubs Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera were the big additions this offseason, but the Cubs’ fortunes may ultimately hinge on consistency and growth from some of their young players, including Pete-Crow Armstrong (. 634 OPS in second half), Cade Horton, Daniel Palencia, Moises Ballesteros, and Matt Shaw as he takes on a utility role.
8. Boston Red Sox Boston’s starting rotation looks strong and deep, but will they hit enough?

Craig Breslow tried for Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso this offseason before ultimately settling for Willson Contreras at first base and Caleb Durbin to fill the void left by Alex Bregman at the hot corner. It’s not exactly what fans had in mind, but it will help to get a full year out of Roman Anthony. 9) Milwaukee Brewers It might feel disrespectful to have the Brewers at No. 9 after they posted the best record in MLB last season, but it’s a brand-new year.

Can young fireballer Jacob Misiorowski take a step forward as a true ace? He certainly has the stuff for it. This team needs it with Freddy Peralta in New York and Quinn Priester a question mark to begin the year.

10. New York Mets It’s safe to say that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has officially put his stamp on this roster. After an embarrassing finish which kept the Mets out of last year’s postseason, Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien, and Devin Williams are among the new faces to complement a couple of future Hall of Famers in Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. Perhaps the best sign for the Mets this spring is that Kodai Senga looks healthy and dominant.
11. Baltimore Orioles The Orioles have also undergone a host of changes, including a new manager (Craig Albernaz) and big additions like Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, and Ryan Helsley. With some progress from their younger players, including top prospect catcher Samuel Basallo, this could make for a fun summer in Charm City. 12) Cleveland Guardians Similar to the Brewers, the Guardians just keep finding a way.

At one point last July, the Guardians were 15.5 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central. Then came the historic turnaround. The big question for this team, as it always is, is if they’ll score enough runs.