The Los Angeles Dodgers won’t dominate the National League West wire-to-wire this season — and they’ve also lost their grip on the No. 1 position in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
The preseason favorite may still claim a third straight championship come autumn, but for now, they’ve been knocked from the top spot for the first time this year by the Atlanta Braves.
The shift came directly head-to-head, as Atlanta took two of three games at Dodger Stadium, improving to a major league-best 28-13. Their plus-87 run differential leads the majors, and they also top the league in OPS and ERA.
Any doubts?
The Braves’ new standing will face an immediate test as they return home for a three-game series against the No. 3 Chicago Cubs, starting Tuesday at Truist Field.
Here’s an updated look at the rankings:
Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson have been on fire to start 2026.
1. Atlanta Braves (+1)
Spencer Strider struck out eight Dodgers in his second start of the year.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
Mookie Betts returns this week, just in time for a slumping offense.
3. Chicago Cubs (+1)
Have the Cubs revived Michael Conforto? He’s batting .364 with a 1.132 OPS in 55 plate appearances.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (+2)
Nick Martinez’s 1.70 ERA is the best in club history through eight games for a starter.
5. New York Yankees (-2)
Carlos Rodón made his season debut but couldn’t prevent an unsettling sweep in Milwaukee.
6. San Diego Padres (-1)
A quarter through the season, Fernando Tatis Jr. sits at 0.0 WAR with zero home runs.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (+3)
They swept the Yankees for the first time since 1989, when the Brewers were an AL team.
