MLB Power Rankings: Week 23
12. Minnesota Twins (72-66)
The Twins had a solid 3-3 week against the Rangers and Guardians and have maintained a comfortable 6-game lead in the AL Central. Minnesota has a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way, with the only big challenge being when they host Tampa Bay for a 3-game set. Nothing is for certain, but the Twins winning the division seems like a safe bet at this point.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (76-62)
The Blue Jays got two much needed series wins last week against the Nationals and Rockies. Entering the week, they still find themselves out of a postseason spot, sitting 0.5 games back of the Rangers in the wild card. They have a big chance to catch Texas next week when they host them for a 4-game series.
10. Chicago Cubs (74-64)
The Cubs went 4-3 next week against two division competitors in the Brewers and Reds. Chicago is up 3 games in the second wild card spot but there’s still a lot of games left to make that lead look small. The NL Central is not out of reach either as they sit just 2.5 games back of Milwaukee.
9. Milwaukee Brewers (76-61)
The Brew Crew lost a series to the Cubs but bounced back and got a series win against the Phillies last week. They maintained their division lead at 2.5 games but with the Cubs playing well, Milwaukee is going to have to continue playing with urgency the rest of the season. The NL Central could come down to the last series of the year when the Brewers host the Cubs.
8. Texas Rangers (76-61)
The Rangers have lost 13 of their last 17 games and have blown 10 saves in that time. Losing in the 9th inning that often is a huge blow to morale, especially this late in the season and when every win is important in a tight division race. If Texas can fix its bullpen issues, they have a chance to reclaim the division lead. If not, they might be sitting on the couch in October.
7. Philadelphia Phillies (76-61)
The fans support of a struggling Trea Turner is one of the coolest stories of this season. It paid off last week with Turner getting NL Player of the Week. With Trea hitting well again, along with the usual production from Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies are in a good spot. They are 5.5 games on top of the wild card positions, where it looks like they will stay heading into October.
6. Houston Astros (78-61)
The Astros are a rollercoaster ride that never ends. Last week they traveled to Boston and swept the Red Sox only to return home to get swept by the last place Yankees. It’s very hard to get a read on this team but because of their recent success you can never underestimate them.
5. Seattle Mariners (77-60)
Seattle cooled down a bit, going 3-3 last week against the A’s and Mets. Despite that they are still in the thick of an exciting AL West race that will come down to the wire. They have a tougher schedule the rest of the way, meeting with the Rays, Dodgers, Astros, and Rangers twice.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (83-55)
The Rays are playing very well down the stretch but it seems like the Orioles division to lose which puts Tampa Bay in the top wild card spot for now. 3.5 games back is not an impossible mountain to climb and they’ll get a chance to catch up in a couple of weeks when they head to Baltimore.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-52)
After an incredible month of August, the Dodgers got off to a rough September start, losing 3 of 4 to the Braves at home. Poor clutch hitting and inconsistent pitching performances was the issue, which seems to be the reason the Dodgers are sent home every year in the postseason. They’ll have to figure those issues out, as the Dodgers will most likely meet Atlanta in the NLCS to reach another World Series.
2. Baltimore Orioles (86-51)
The Orioles continue to win, with a 4-2 week against the White Sox and Diamondbacks. They are in the driver's seat to win the division, leading by 3.5 games entering the week. I’m very fascinated by how this team will finish and how they will perform in the postseason.
1. Atlanta Braves (90-46)
If there was any doubt as to which team is the best in the league, the Braves silenced those doubts with a 4-game series win against the Dodgers in Los Angeles last weekend. Ronald Acuna Jr became the first player in MLB history to hit 30 home runs and steal 60 bases in a season, the same day he got married. Incredible.