Matt Olson Is Heating Up As Race to Lead MLB in Home Runs Intensifies

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson can't stop launching home runs.

Olson went deep for the 35th time this season on Tuesday, tying him for the most homers in the majors so far this year. The 32-year-old has already crushed six home runs in 10 games in August. And if you throw in his last few games from the end of July, the four-time All-Star has left the yard eight times in his last 14 contests.

But the Braves slugger isn't the only player blasting baseballs out of stadiums this season. Here's an updated look at the current MLB home run leaders heading into Wednesday's action.

This year's home run race could come down to the wire

Jul 28, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) is greeted after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Four players are tied for the league lead in home runs as play begins on Aug. 12. Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, and Olson all have 35 homers so far in 2026. Most notably, Alvarez has yet to go deep in August, though he still has a .297 batting average in his first 10 games of the month.

After the four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is the next name on the list with 34 home runs. While the two-time All-Star was mentioned in numerous rumors at the trade deadline, the Rockies decided not to move the 26-year-old elsewhere. The young backstop has already eclipsed his 31 long balls launched in 2025, which means he'll finish this season with a new career high regardless of how he does over the last few weeks of the year.

The only other players with at least 30 home runs right now are New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice and Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood. Rice has a career-high 32 homers so far this year during a season in which the Yankees have desperately needed offense with three-time MVP Aaron Judge sidelined. Wood has 30 home runs and needs two more to surpass his total of 31 from last season. And when Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams blasts his next long ball, Washington will be the first team to have two 30-homer hitters this year.

A lot could change before the end of the 2026 regular season. But regardless, it looks like fans will be treated to an intense race for this year's home run crown.

Add us as a preferred source on Google