2026 MLB National League Midseason Team Performance Grades Revealed

The 2026 Major League Baseball season has officially reached its midpoint, providing a perfect snapshot of how the National League landscape is shaping up. This midseason assessment evaluates team performances by balancing current standings against the weight of preseason expectations.

While some organizations are celebrating dominant campaigns, others are already looking toward significant reevaluations at the trade deadline. We break down the winners, the losers, and the teams stuck in neutral as the pennant race begins to heat up.

The National League Frontrunners

At the top of the class, we have a trio of teams that have lived up to the massive hype surrounding their rosters. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers have each secured an “A” grade for their stellar first-half displays.

These clubs have managed to maintain consistency, proving why they were considered heavy favorites back in spring training. Their ability to secure leads and handle adversity has set the bar for the rest of the league.

Struggles and Disappointments

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some fan bases are left wondering what went wrong after a brutal first half. The New York Mets have been handed a rare “F” grade, with analysts describing their season as an unmitigated disaster that has already claimed the manager’s job.

They are joined in the cellar by the San Francisco Giants, who also earned an “F.” The Giants have failed to meet expectations, and their transition to a new manager has been fraught with challenges that have hindered their progress.

The Middle of the Pack

Many teams find themselves in that uncomfortable “B” range, staying competitive but lacking the dominance of the league’s true powerhouses. The St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres were awarded “B+” grades for remaining firmly in the hunt.

These teams have defied some of the more skeptical preseason projections to stay relevant in their respective divisions. Their ability to grind out wins has kept their postseason hopes very much alive.

Solid Efforts Across the Board

Several other franchises have earned a solid “B” grade for their efforts throughout the first half. The list includes the Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

While none of these teams are runaway leaders, they have successfully managed to stay competitive. In a league as balanced as this one, maintaining a “B” grade is a vital foundation for a second-half push.

Improving and Uncertain Outlooks

The Colorado Rockies managed to pull in a “B-” grade this time around. While they aren’t leading the division, they have shown slight progress by looking significantly less “historically awful” than in previous years.

For more deep dives into team history and current stats, you can explore our full collection of Biographies. It is always interesting to see how current trends fit into the larger narrative of these franchises.

Teams in Limbo

Finally, we have the teams that remain in a state of frustrating uncertainty. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds both received “C” grades for their performances so far.

Both organizations have struggled to live up to the loftier expectations set before the first pitch was thrown in March. Whether they can turn things around or choose to sell at the trade deadline remains to be seen. For more updates on the state of the league, be sure to check our latest Baseball News.

 
Here is the source article for this story: MLB halfway grades for every National League team: Dodgers, Braves ace first half, Mets score easy ‘F’