As we hit the quarter-mark of the 2026 MLB season, the power rankings landscape is shifting dramatically. The National League is flexing its muscle with eight of the top 10 records in baseball, while the American League limps along with just four teams above .500. In our last edition, we spotlighted each team's greatest strength—from the elite traits of the contenders to the rare bright spots on struggling clubs. This week, we're flipping the script and diving into the weaknesses that could make or break a season, whether it's a minor flaw on a powerhouse roster or a glaring hole on a team full of them.
American League East: Yankees | Rays | Orioles | Blue Jays | Red Sox
American League Central: Tigers | Guardians | Twins | White Sox | Royals
American League West: Athletics | Rangers | Mariners | Angels | Astros
National League East: Braves | Marlins | Nationals | Phillies | Mets
National League Central: Reds | Cubs | Pirates | Cardinals | Brewers
National League West: Dodgers | Padres | Diamondbacks | Giants | Rockies
Nowhere is the contrast between strength and weakness more evident than in Atlanta. The Braves have surged ahead of the Dodgers in our rankings, thanks to a roster firing on nearly all cylinders. But even the best teams have their kryptonite. For Atlanta, it's the left side of the infield and outfield. Left field, primarily handled by free-agent signing Mike Yastrzemski, has been a black hole—he's still searching for his first Braves home run after 125 plate appearances. However, the bigger concern is third base, where Austin Riley's dramatic decline has become the most glaring disappointment on an otherwise stellar team.
Riley, owed $22 million annually through 2032, was the model of consistency after his 2021 breakout, delivering power and production year after year. But over the past few seasons, his numbers have slipped across the board. Plate discipline and defense were never his calling cards, but he always slugged enough to be a well-above-average contributor. That power has vanished in 2026, with his slugging percentage plummeting to a career-worst .355. It's a slump that's pushed him down the lineup and raised questions about whether this is a temporary funk or a long-term trend. For the Braves, finding a fix at the hot corner could be the key to holding off a surging Phillies squad that's making noise in the NL East.