MLB Power Rankings Week 11: Cardinals, White Sox on the rise - ESPN

As we inch closer to the halfway point of the season, a number of teams have mostly settled into their respective places. Our top five is proof of that, as it saw no movement from last week to this one and has featured the same five teams since Week 8.

Teams outside the top five saw a bit more movement in Week 11, though, with the Cardinals rising to their highest ranking of the season at No. 9 after sweeping the Reds, who dropped to 22nd, their lowest ranking of 2026. The Phillies have risen all the way back to sixth after dropping as low as No. 21 in Week 5.

Things are also heating up in Chicago — and it's not just the summer sun. After a thrilling walk-off win on Tuesday night, the White Sox sit at No. 13, not far from their crosstown rival, the Cubs, who are 11th.

Our expert panel has ranked every team based on a combination of what we've seen so far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season. We also asked ESPN MLB experts Alden Gonzalez, Jorge Castillo and David Schoenfield to weigh in with an observation for all 30 teams.

Week 10 | Preseason rankings

Record: 45-23
Previous ranking: 1

Just when Ronald Acuna Jr. was resembling his peak form, another injury could sideline him. This time, the former NL MVP left Tuesday's game against the White Sox with a left hamstring injury after trying to beat a throw at first base. Acuña already was on the injured list last month with a Grade 1 strain in the same hamstring. Braves manager Walt Weiss said this setback doesn't appear as serious, but hamstring injuries are perilous. Acuña was hitting .281 with five home runs and a .913 OPS in 25 games since April 26. The Braves have plowed through various setbacks to create enough room in