Every week, the Pitcher List team will publish an update to our power rankings, highlighting three teams among the different tiers of contention. As always, the full rankings can be found at the bottom of this article, but where’s the fun in that?
Despite dropping a couple of games in Colorado, the Dodgers hold a firm grip over the top spot, but Atlanta and the Padres have been almost as good. The race for the top of the NL has been fun to watch, which contrasts with how muddled the American League standings are. Only four AL teams stand above .500, with the Yankees’ 13 wins being the best the Junior Circuit has to offer.
With this in mind, today we highlight three NL teams that have turned heads for a variety of reasons. The Reds are starting to perfect the art of winning ugly, Miami refuses to use hitters whose age start with a 3, and the Mets have become a trainwreck as they navigate their longest losing streak in over 20 years.
Contender
No. 10 Cincinnati Reds (15-8, -3 run differential)
With about a month of the season in the books, there are still many valid reasons to say that a small sample size is to blame for a team’s situation. On one hand, the Reds are one of five MLB teams that boast a winning record despite a negative run differential, as they are the only team above .500 that has failed to reach 90 runs scored. On the other, they are only one of four squads that has banked 15 wins, and those Ws count the same in April as they do in September. This speaks to the enigmatic nature of Cincinnati, as they are clearly talented but erratic, creating a situation that could lead towards a charge for the NL Central crown.
How 'bout those Rally Reds? pic.twitter.com/zGFE3MTXce
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 20, 2026
Cincinnati is #10 in these rankings because there is still plenty of skepticism regarding their record. The red (no pun intended) flags are all over the offense, as several black holes populate the lineup on a daily basis. The Reds are hitting .202 as a team, and that includes the All-Star-like performances of Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz. Ke-Bryan Hayes has a -47 OPS+ (!), Matt McLain has yet to hit his first homer, and Spencer Steer owns a .257 OBP. And yet, this team has been so adept at making comebacks and winning ugly that there may be reasons to believe that they can sustain it.
It all starts with the pitching and masterful dugout presence of Terry Francona, as his baseball acumen has been in full display. The Reds are now a whopping 10-0 in games decided by two runs or fewer, as Francona is not shy about deploying his best bullpen arms in close games and knowing when he is facing a lost cause. The Reds are 2-4 in games decided by 5+ runs, but they remain undefeated in one-run contests and extra-inning affairs, with bullpen arms like Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan, and Sam Moll becoming unlikely weapons out of the pen. Cincinnati’s rotation has been a mixed bag, as Chase Burns has been the only standout, but the Reds could improve in that regard and turn the narrative from a lucky, hot start to a true contender by doing so.
The influence of Francona is undeniable, but that magic cannot sustain the lack of offensive thump and having to rely on only a few players to drive in runs. In a division where the Brewers, Cubs, and now the Pirates and even the Cardinals look decent, things could become a dogfight all year long. The Reds will lose a close game at some point, but they must address their offensive woes and make the most of this hot start if they are to have their first back-to-back playoff appearances since 2012-2013.
The Middle
No. 18 – Miami Marlins (11-12, +1 run differential)
The Miami Marlins entered 2026 with limited upside but an intriguing roster, which added a bit of excitement for the usually bland franchise. After starting the season by winning five of six, and now having endured a stretch in which they lost seven of eight, the Marlins are showing why those preseason predictions may not be that far off. Miami appears to have enough talent to compete on a daily basis, but their lack of experience and stars may put a hard cap on any potential playoff run.
The past week served as a prime example of how the Marlins can be a pesky team all season long, as they were beat on consecutive series by contending teams in Atlanta and Milwaukee. However, the four straight losses came by a combined nine runs, with the Fish keeping games close and usually being a clutch hit away from turning games around. Miami’s youth movement on offense is evident, with the team giving fewer than 60 combined plate appearances to batters over the age of 27. One of those hitters is Kyle Stowers, though, whose return may be the catalyst towards a more consistent approach at the plate.
While the Marlins are slugging under .400 as a team, their pitching has not been able to overcome the poor run support, but they are bound to become the team’s strength. Sandy Alcantara’s name will certainly be a constant mention in trade rumors, especially as he has started the season by leading the NL in innings pitched and relying on his ability to create soft contact. Eury Perez had a rough start but is coming off his best start of 2026, while Max Meyer could become a weapon if he figures out how to reduce his walk rate. High-priced closer Pete Fairbanks also had a tough beginning to his Marlins tenure, but is coming off two straight saves and should remain one of the top relievers in the game.
8 Ks for Mad Max 😤 pic.twitter.com/ydNPxsCPhz
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 21, 2026
With the likes of the Phillies and Mets having a slow start, there is a way for the Marlins to remain close in the NL East middle class and the wild card chase, but they need to have a bit of luck and superior bullpen management to stay afloat. As they continue to profile as a team that will not get too high or too low, hovering around .500 is almost a given, but the chance of seeing their young hitters develop and push them over the edge should create some buzz in Miami.
Wait ‘Til 2027
No. 24 – New York Mets (7-15, -25 run differential)
In a season that has featured plenty of contenders with slow and/or alarming starts, nothing can compare to what the Mets are doing. It’s not just that they are entering Tuesday’s action with an active 11-game losing streak, the issue is how this has unfolded. New York has, at times, seemingly forgotten how to play baseball, with several mental mistakes surrounding the cold starts at the plate of their hitters and the inability to get outs from the pitching staff. The untimely absence of Juan Soto cannot be an excuse for a roster that still includes Francisco Lindor and invested heavily in Bo Bichette, not to mention the bloated payroll that currently stands with playoff odds below 10%.
Mets are in the midst of their longest losing streak in 22 years pic.twitter.com/Lo14aBKnr8
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 19, 2026
The past week could be considered a major low point for a franchise that is used to low points, as the Mets lost games in all shapes and forms. Already staring at a 5-game losing streak, facing the Dodgers was a cruel sight, with the Mets scoring a total of three runs over three games, squandering a great Nolan McLean outing on Tuesday and then being completely helpless against Shohei Ohtani the next evening. Visiting Wrigley field added a layer of misery, as an early Friday game saw New York score only four runs despite a 14-hit effort, while the finale included a Devin Williams blown save when it looked like the streak might be over, followed by an extra-innings defeat.
While an upcoming homestand that includes less imposing squads (Twins, Nationals, Rockies) is almost certain to produce at least a couple of Ws, the fundamental flaws of this roster are what may doom the Mets to yet another painful season. Freddy Peralta’s metrics suggest that the Brewers were smart enough to sell high, while Kodai Senga has somehow become one of the worst starters in the league. The aforementioned McLean is blossoming into a true ace, but he alone cannot carry a team that is supposed to rely on veterans and high-priced stars. The offense has been even worse, though, with the Mets scoring a pitiful 19 runs over their current losing streak, including three shutouts and three one-run efforts.
Lindor in particular appears to be still struggling with the offseason’s captain-gate controversy, and for all of Soto’s consistency and awaited return (which may come as soon as this week), there needs to be a serious overhaul if this team is to climb back into relevancy. Despite ownership’s vote of confidence towards manager Carlos Mendoza, he is certainly on the hot seat, as there is still a path towards a complete unraveling for a franchise that is familiar with high drama. The Dodgers have been accused of breaking baseball for using their incredible wealth smartly; meanwhile, the Mets are proof that money isn’t everything.
