MLB Power Rankings: Week 18
10 - Toronto Blue Jays (60-50)
(PR: NR)
The Blue Jays finally made it back to Canada after almost a two year absence and it seems that the fan base has fueled some energy into this team. Winners of 10 of their last 11 games, the Blue Jays sit just 3 games back of the second wild card spot. They also own the 5th best run differential in all of baseball so that might tell you they’re due for a huge run to finish the season and find themselves playing baseball in October.
9 - Boston Red Sox (65-49)
(PR: 7)
Oh no. Oh no. Oh no no no. The Red Sox are beginning to crumble and they can’t afford that with the Yankees and Blue Jays storming behind them. If things continue to trend the way they have in the second half of the season, Boston will find themselves out of a postseason spot real quick.
8 - San Diego Padres (65-49)
(PR: 8)
The Padres got a huge game from Blake Snell on Sunday, something that hasn’t happened much this season. Fernando Tatis seems to be closer to returning but it’s not looking good for the Padres with how well the Dodgers and Giants are doing. Also, they’re only 2.5 games ahead of the Reds for the second wild card spot. You never know what can happen down the stretch.
7 - Oakland Athletics (64-48)
(PR: 9)
I gave them a little bit of shit last week for not holding pace with the Astros but they have made some moves since then. They find themselves just 2 games back of the division lead after winning 8 of their last 10 games. If they keep that up, they might find themselves on top by season’s end. On paper, this A’s team has much better pitching than the Astros to play great baseball down the stretch.
6 - Milwaukee Brewers (66-46)
(PR: 6)
This Brewers team is very interesting to me. Offensively they’re average at best but man, oh man is their pitching scary. They continue to showcase the deepest pitching staff in the game and they should be able to hold off the Reds to win the NL Central.
5 - Chicago White Sox (67-46)
(PR: 5)
The White Sox have been smooth and steady all season and they are getting healthier on the offensive side. The pitching has been nothing short of brilliant and they are probably the only team in baseball that has their division locked up at this point.
4 - Houston Astros (66-46)
(PR: 3)
The Astros experienced the full wrath of angry Dodger fans last week then went on to lose 3 of 4 from the Twins. I’m still not convinced this team’s pitching is that good but it might not matter with how incredible their offense is. The Astros will have to keep playing their best baseball down the stretch to hold off the A’s for the AL West lead.
3 - Tampa Bay Rays (68-44)
(PR: 4)
The Rays continue to win the games they should and have begun to separate themselves as leaders of the AL East. Randy Arozarena will return from the IL this week and with the Red Sox falling, this division is Tampa’s to lose.
2 - Los Angeles Dodgers (67-45)
(PR: 2)
The Dodgers saw impressive debuts from newly acquired Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. With Clayton Kershaw and Mookie Betts on the mend for a while longer, they’ll need their production to keep pace with the Giants.
1 - San Francisco Giants (71-41)
(PR: 1)
What more needs to be said about these Giants? They had another impressive week, going 5-2 against Arizona and Milwaukee. They’ll have an easy week coming up against Arizona again and Colorado. They have a nice 4 game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West with less than 50 games to go. Certainly not a lock by any means but they’re in a good position.