ESPN MLB Power Rankings: Cardinals and White Sox climb as Braves monitor Acuna injury
The St Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox rise in ESPN’s latest rankings, while the Philadelphia Phillies return to the top tier. Meanwhile, concerns mount over the Braves’ offensive depth.
ESPN has released its MLB Power Rankings for Week 11 of the 2026 season, highlighting a period of consolidation at the summit and increased volatility among the rest of the league. The top five teams have remained unchanged for the fourth consecutive week, a stability that has persisted since Week 8, signalling a clear hierarchy among the sport’s elite franchises.
Outside the top tier, the St Louis Cardinals have surged to ninth place, their highest ranking of the season, following a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds, conversely, have dropped to 22nd, their lowest position in 2026. The Philadelphia Phillies have also recovered significantly, climbing back to sixth after falling as low as 21st in Week 5, demonstrating a marked improvement in their standing over recent weeks.
In Chicago, the competitive dynamic is intensifying. The Chicago White Sox have risen to 13th, buoyed by a thrilling walk-off victory that pushed them into first place in the AL Central. They sit just behind their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs, who have slid to 11th in the rankings following a period of inconsistent performance and heavy losses.
A significant narrative focus for the Atlanta Braves is the injury status of star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna suffered a left hamstring injury during a game against the White Sox, raising concerns about his availability despite manager Walt Weiss downplaying the severity of the setback. Acuna had been performing at a high level, hitting .281 with five home runs and a .913 OPS in 25 games since late April.
Other notable movements include the Cleveland Guardians losing their AL Central lead after a recent slump, and the Seattle Mariners facing continued struggles in their bullpen. The Arizona Diamondbacks remain in contention despite a setback for starter Corbin Burnes, while the Texas Rangers have shown offensive improvement with the return of key players Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford.
