Five weeks into the 2026 season, one thing remains unchanged: the Vermont Lake Monsters are still perfect.
Nate Bishop's club improved to 5-0 and now sits alone atop the Atlantic Division with 137 runs. While Vermont's Week 5 performance wasn't flashy, the Lake Monsters once again found a way to win, remaining the only undefeated team in The National Pastime. The pressure continues to mount as every opponent circles the league's last perfect record.
The Atlantic Division, however, has become far more interesting behind them. The Worcester Red Sox and the red-hot Portland Sea Dogs are now tied at 136.5 runs, just a half-run behind Vermont's scoring total. Portland's rise has been one of the stories of the season. After opening the year with only 18 runs, Stephen Miller's club has posted weekly totals of 26, 30, 38.5, and now 24, winning back-to-back weekly scoring titles and climbing from the bottom of the division into the playoff conversation.
The Great Lakes Division now belongs to the Lansing Lugnuts. Curt Manning's squad improved to 4-1, extending their winning streak to three and becoming the highest-scoring team in the National Conference with 144.5 runs. While Erie entered Week 4 as one of the league favorites, back-to-back losses have allowed Lansing to seize control of the division. The race remains crowded, though, with Schaumburg, Kane County, Dayton, and Lehigh Valley all still within reach.
Over in the American Conference, the Gwinnett Stripers continue to lead the South Division despite suffering a Week 5 loss. At 151.5 runs, Greg Miller's team remains the highest-scoring club in the entire league. The problem? The standings are much tighter than the scoring totals suggest. Carolina sits just one game back, while South Bend remains very much alive despite dropping two straight. No division feels less settled than the South.
The Frontier Division may have finally found some separation. The Sacramento River Cats used a strong Week 5 to move to 3-2, taking sole possession of first place. Santa Fe and Quad City remain only one game behind, while Omaha has suddenly gone cold after opening the season near the top of the standings. Nick Hagen's Storm Chasers have now lost three consecutive weeks and fallen from division leader to fourth place.
Week 5 itself was unlike any other week this season. Scoring collapsed across the league. Only one team managed to reach 24 runs, and just three teams broke the 20-run mark. The result was one of the most unpredictable weekends of the year, with several favorites stumbling and several struggling teams finding life.
Perhaps the biggest surprise came from the Durham Bulls, who posted their best week of the season and earned their second victory, while the Lady Lake Live Wires managed only 5 runs — the lowest score posted by any team all season.
Five weeks down, and the playoff picture is beginning to emerge. Vermont remains perfect. Lansing has taken control of the Great Lakes. Gwinnett continues piling up runs. Sacramento has moved into first in the Frontier. And Portland may be the hottest team in baseball.
The season is officially reaching the point where every weekend matters. 🏆
📈 Week 5 Headlines
👑 Last Undefeated Team
Vermont Lake Monsters (5-0)
🔥 Hottest Team
Portland Sea Dogs
Week 1: 18
Week 2: 26
Week 3: 30
Week 4: 38.5
Week 5: 24
🚀 League Scoring Leader
Gwinnett Stripers —
151.5 Runs
🏅 National Conference Scoring Leader
Lansing Lugnuts —
144.5 Runs
⚠️ Biggest Slide
Omaha Storm Chasers
Started 2-0
Now 2-3
Three straight losses
😬 Toughest Week
Lady Lake Live Wires —
5 Runs
⚔️ Division Race To Watch
South Division
Gwinnett (3-2)
Carolina (3-2)
South Bend (3-2)
Three teams tied atop the standings with nine weeks remaining.
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