MLB power rankings: Dodgers retain top spot as Phillies rise ahead of trade deadline
The Los Angeles Dodgers maintain their position at the summit of the rankings, while the Philadelphia Phillies have climbed the standings. With fewer than 70 games remaining, clubs face a critical period of strategic adjustment.
Major League Baseball has released its official power rankings for all 30 clubs as the 2026 regular season resumes following the All-Star break. The Los Angeles Dodgers retain the number one position, holding a significant division lead that positions them to 'coast' into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies have risen in the standings, recovering from a slow start to become serious contenders in the National League East. These rankings are published as teams approach the August 3 trade deadline, with fewer than 70 games remaining in the season.
The Dodgers established an enormous lead atop the NL West through May and June, going 36-19 during that stretch. This cushion has placed Los Angeles in a strong position to gear up for a deep postseason run, despite a less smooth July that included their first season sweep at home against Arizona. The team ranks among the league’s best in every aspect of the game, leading in OPS and sitting third in ERA, even while managing several key contributors sidelined by injury.
In the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies have rallied under interim manager Don Mattingly to get within striking distance of the division-leading Braves. After starting the season 9-19 and sitting 10.5 games back on April 26, the Phillies have moved up the standings to become firmly back in the mix for a National League postseason spot. While right field remains a weak spot and there are concerns on the mound, the team’s trajectory has shifted significantly from the beginning of the year.
The rankings cover all 30 MLB clubs as they approach the August 3 trade deadline, a date that will provide clarity on which teams are pushing for a spot in October and which are shifting focus to 2027. With the regular season resuming on Thursday night in New York, where the Mets and Phillies are set to engage in an NL East clash, the immediate focus is on performance over the next couple of weeks. The shortened nature of the second half, with less than 50 per cent of the schedule remaining, intensifies the strategic pressure on front offices.
Other notable movements include the Milwaukee Brewers, who remain the class of the NL Central despite a recent sweep in Pittsburgh, and the Tampa Bay Rays, who have reclaimed first place in the AL East. The New York Yankees have slipped in the standings following injuries to key veterans like Aaron Judge, while the Atlanta Braves have shown cracks due to a rash of injuries on both sides of the ball. The rankings serve as a baseline for evaluating each club’s chances of chasing a World Series in 2026 as the season enters its final phase.
