MLB Power Rankings: Week 22
12. Minnesota Twins (69-64)
The Twins got an impressive series win against the Rangers last weekend and saw their division lead in the AL Central expand to 6 games entering the week. The offense has been slowly getting better as the season moves along. They’re playing their best baseball at the right time.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (72-61)
Here we go again with the Blue Jays. I feel like all season, I’ve been disappointed with this team and yet they’ve never missed the power rankings. They’re a confusing group but they need to lock it in soon as they are currently out of a postseason spot, 3.5 games out of the wild card. I’m not sure there is a clear path for them to be playing October baseball at this point, but there’s a month of games left to make up for it.
10. Chicago Cubs (70-62)
On the podcast, we had the Cubs as one of the most intriguing teams to watch this season. As we enter the final month of the season, that’s exactly what they are. In the second wild card spot, and just 4 games back of the Brewers for the division lead, Chicago has cemented themselves as postseason contenders. It’s hard to tell what the ceiling is for the Cubs but they’ve certainly exceeded most people's expectations so far.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (74-58)
Nobody is really talking about the Brewers, which is a mistake. They enter this week with a 9-game winning streak and take on the Cubs in a huge mid-week matchup. They’re playing great baseball right now, especially on the offensive side. If they carry those hot bats into October, they’re gonna be a difficult team to beat.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (74-58)
The Phillies are quietly putting together a very good season. If they weren’t in the same division as the best team in baseball, they would be fighting for a division title. Instead they are kings of the NL Wild Card, sitting 5 games up of the third spot. They don’t have any major weaknesses and statistically are a much better team than last year when they made it to the World Series.
7. Houston Astros (76-58)
The Astros have been a rollercoaster this past month. There seems to be something missing from this team that is usually a top-3 team in the league. They will get veteran hitter Michael Brantley back from the IL this week, which should add a boost. Houston is part of the 3-team race in the AL West, the best divisional race we will see this season.
6. Texas Rangers (75-57)
Losing 8-games in a row this late in the season with the division on the line is not an ideal storyline for this Rangers team. All season, they have exceeded expectations, despite multiple injuries, especially with the pitching. They have seen their division lead disappear as they enter this week in a virtual 3-way tie in the wild, wild AL West.
5. Seattle Mariners (75-57)
While the Rangers have been slumping, the Mariners have been dominating. In late July, this team was 8.5 games out of first place. As we enter the month of September, they have a share of first place. Seattle has earned their rise in the rankings by playing great all around baseball. The final 3 series of their season will see them play the Rangers twice and the Astros once…cannot wait for that!
4. Tampa Bay Rays (81-52)
Despite the heavy losses the Rays have sustained, this team has not missed a beat. They have kept pace with the Orioles for the AL East lead, entering the week just 2.5 games back. It will be a very interesting race to watch down the stretch.
3. Baltimore Orioles (83-49)
Baltimore continues to win and keep their heads above a very competitive AL East. They sustained a huge injury blow, with their All Star closer, Felix Bautista going on the IL with a UCL injury. It is unclear yet as to how long he will be out but that’s not an easy injury to bounce back quickly from. How significantly this will affect the Orioles season is yet to be seen. There are still a lot of bright spots on this young, exciting team.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-49)
The Dodgers are having a fantastic month of August, with a 23-4 record they have seen their division lead expand to 13.5 games. Mookie Betts has made a very good case of being the NL MVP with his stellar second half. Despite the continued health issues in the rotation, the Dodgers keep finding ways to get the job done on the mound.
1. Atlanta Braves (86-45)
The Braves are still the undisputed best team in baseball. I’ve given them all the compliments I can think of over the course of the season. They haven’t really ever gone through any huge slumps and they lead all of baseball in run differential (it’s not even close), runs, batting average, and slugging percentage.