MLB: Which Teams are Already in Trouble After a Slow Start?

Last Updated on abril 27, 2026 11:06 am by Erwin Noguera

The first month of the 2026 MLB season has made one thing clear: some teams are already running out of time.

While April doesn’t decide October, it does expose flaws. For several franchises, those flaws are not small. They are structural, statistical, and in some cases, alarming.

The standings reveal a growing gap between contenders and teams already slipping into crisis mode.

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The New York Mets: Collapse in Real Time

No team embodies early-season failure more than the New York Mets.

At 9-19, they own one of the worst records in baseball, and the numbers behind it are even more concerning.

They’ve scored just 92 runs through 28 games, one of the lowest outputs in franchise history at this stage.

A 12-game losing streak exposed deeper issues, including a lack of identity, poor offensive production, and injuries to key players like Francisco Lindor.

Even with talent like Juan Soto in the lineup, the Mets rank near the bottom in OPS and run creation.

This isn’t just a slow start; it’s a dysfunction that, if not addressed promptly, could cost them the entire season.

Philadelphia Phillies: From Contenders to Crisis

Toes with the Mets at 9-19, the Philadelphia Phillies are facing a similarly troubling situation.

Their issue isn’t just losing—it’s inconsistency.

Pitching has failed to stabilize games, while the offense has struggled to produce in key moments. Even more concerning, their early schedule hasn’t been particularly brutal, meaning this record reflects internal problems more than external challenges.

For a team built to content, this type of start creates immediate pressure.

Boston Red Sox: Internal Chaos and Poor Results

The Boston Red Sox sit at 11-17, and their issues go beyond the field.

The organization fired manager Alex Cora after a disappointing start, signaling internal instability. Cora was dismissed along with hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson, bench coach Ramón Vázquez, third base coach Kyle Hudson, and major-league hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin. They have named Worcester WooSox manager Chad Tracy as the new interim manager.

Statistically, Boston has struggled in both phases:

Their pitching staff has failed to control games consistently, while the offense has lacked sustained production.

When a team changes leadership before May, it usually means one thing:

They believe the season is already slipping away.

Houston Astros: Discipline Problems are Killing Them

At 11-18, the Houston Astros are not just losing, they are beating themselves.

The AStros lead MLB in walks allowed with 158, a number that reflects a complete lack of pitching discipline.

This has created a domino effect: more baserunners, more pressure pitches, more damage.

For a team that built its identity on control and efficiency, this is a dramatic shift, and a dangerous one.

Los Angeles Angels: Offensive Regression

The Los Angeles Angels (12-17) are struggling with a different problem:

Regression.

Players expected to carry the offense, like Jo Adell, have seen significant drops in production, including a noticeable decline in OPS compared to last season.

Without consistent offensive output, the Angels are unable to compensate for pitching inconsistencies.

Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals: Structural Weakness

Both the Chicago White Sox (11-17) and Washington Nationals (13-16) are dealing with foundational issues.

For Washington, the numbers are clear:

Second-worst ERA in MLB and the most home runs allowed (48).

For Chicago, inconsistency across the roster has prevented any sustained momentum.

These are not playoff teams struggling. These are rebuilding teams showing why they are still rebuilding.

Final Analysis: Who Should be Worried?

Not all slow starts are equal; some teams can recover. Others are already showing signs of collapse.

The Mets and Phillies look broken, the Red Sox are unstable, and the Astros are undisciplined. Meanwhile, teams like the Yankees (18-10) and Dodgers (19-9) are already creating separation at the top.

April doesn’t end your season, but it can define it. And for several teams in 2026, the warning signs are already impossible to ignore.