MLB's 5 Biggest Surprises So Far
We're just over 50 games into the 2026 MLB season, and that's long enough to determine which teams are exceeding expectations and which are not.
We'll deal with the latter here.
Here are the five most-surprising teams two months into the 2026 MLB season.
5. Cleveland Guardians
Despite winning the last three AL Central championships, the Guardians were projected for third in a relatively weak Central division this season. They're 30-22 and atop the group, ranking Top 10 in both team ERA and runs scored.
Related: MLB's 5 Biggest Disappointments So Far
Young talents like Chase DeLauter are delivering as advertised, complemented by veterans such as Jose Ramirez still playing at a high level. Pitching continues to be the calling card, as the top 4 starters all her ERAs at 3.75 or under. Oddsmakers had the Guardians pegged for 79.5 wins this season. They're on pace for 93.
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4. Tampa Bay Rays
I'm not sure why experts keep getting surprised by the successful Rays season. Perhaps it's because they're in the same division with the free-spending Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox. But here we are again.
Tampa Bay (33-15) isn't only having a solid year, it has the best record in the American League as of May 22. They lead the Yankees by 4 ½ games in the AL East and every other team by double digits.
They're doing by again being the best small-ball team in baseball, with a starting rotation that ranks No. 1 in ERA at an even 3.00.
The offense ranks third in on-base percentage and fourth in steals. The Rays are 27th in home runs hit but have bona fide sluggers in Junior Caminero (13 HR) and Yandy Diaz (8). Overall, the Rays are eighth in runs scored. They have a system, they're sticking to it, and it's working.
3. Chicago White Sox
The southsiders have lost over 100 games in three straight seasons. This year, they're on pace to have a winning record. That type of turnaround doesn't happen in baseball very often. In fact, they're on pace to have the biggest season-to-season turnaround in MLB history.
Related: White Sox On Pace To Shatter MLB Mark
They're the anti-Rays. The Sox rank 23rd in staff ERA and 20th in batting average, but their 68 home runs ranks only behind the Yankees and Braves. Three batters already have double-digit dingers in Munetaka Murakami (17), Colson Montgomery (13) and Miguel Vargas (11). None of those guys were with the team 365 days ago.
2. Athletics
Could the A's actually bring MLB Playoffs drama to Sacramento? Right now, the future Vegas A's lead the AL West at 26-24, driven to success with an upper-half offense led by catcher Shea Langeliers (12 HR, .321 average) and Nick Kurtz (8 HR, .278).
Statistically, there are no other true standout performers – just a solid group of underrated ball players. You know, kind of what they do every year. It might just lead the team to its first postseason berth since the shortened 2000 season.
1. Washington Nationals
If you like high-scoring baseball, find the Nationals on your plan. Only the Rockies had a lower Over/Under on wins for the 2026 season. But here we are heading into Memorial Day weekend, and the Nats are 25-26, a half-game behind the Phillies in the NL East and a dark horse Wild Card candidate in the National League.
And they're doing it in historic fashion. Washington leads the league in runs scored, but they also lead everyone in runs allowed. MLB has been around for well over a century, and no team has ever finished atop both those categories. James Wood (13 HR), C.J. Abrams (10 HR, .297) and Nasim Nunez (21 steals) have led the prolific offense. The team is only 29th in ERA – not 30th, because the Nats also lead MLB in errors. Still, it makes every Nationals game a roller coaster ride.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 1:12 PM.