CttP’s MLB Power Rankings: Week 23

20. New York Mets (61-70)

Last Week’s Record: 2-4

Last Week’s Rank: 22

Things continue to stay mediocre in the Big Apple, and with injuries plentiful, the future plan has changed significantly for the Mets, who hope to finish the season strong.

19. Cincinnati Reds (63-68)

Last Week’s Record: 2-5

Last Week’s Rank: 19

A season has fallen apart in Cincinnati, and with an aging team with large contracts, things aren’t exactly improving, as playoff hopes this year have essentially disappeared.

18. Tampa Bay Rays (64-66)

Last Week’s Record: 3-3

Last Week’s Rank: 18

While the Rays have put up a marvelous fight on reinventing their record, it will not be enough to find the postseason this year, standing two games under .500 with a little over a month to go.

17. Miami Marlins (64-65)

Last Week’s Record: 2-3

Last Week’s Rank: 17

Still in the playoff hunt, the time is now for the Marlins to get hot. Even if they don’t, it’s hard to be disappointed with how 2014 has turned out, especially with all of the injuries Miami has battled throughout the season.

16. Toronto Blue Jays (66-64)

Last Week’s Record: 2-3

Last Week’s Rank: 15

A once dynamic team on both ends of the field has turned into an incredibly mediocre squad, who has seen their run differential sink all the way back to 0. There are many questions that must be answered in Toronto before 2015.

15. Cleveland Indians (66-63)

Last Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Week’s Rank: 16

The Tribe won’t return to the postseason in 2014, but the future is bright, and with grand opportunities to play spoiler and have an impact down the stretch can serve as momentum heading into 2015.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates (67-63)

Last Week’s Record: 3-3

Last Week’s Rank: 13

While a .500 week serves as improvement for a Pirates team that has been struggling as of late, it’s not enough to completely turn the tables, as the Bucs still stand five games out of first place.

13. San Francisco Giants (68-61)

Last Week’s Record: 3-3

Last Week’s Rank: 11

Mediocre for the Giants, but not enough has been done, as they stand 4.5 games behind the first place Dodgers, and will most likely have to battle for a Wild Card spot in the NL.

12. New York Yankees (67-61)

Last Week’s Record: 4-2

Last Week’s Rank: 14

Running into the White Sox at the right time never hurts, and it may be enough to keep the fringe Yankees on the edge of the playoff race. With around a month left in the season, there is still time for recovery in the Bronx.

11. Atlanta Braves (68-63)

Last Week’s Record: 4-3

Last Week’s Rank: 12

Atlanta has taken seven of ten, but the problem of them standing eight games back in the NL East is unfortunately a reality, meaning that Wild Card contention is the only way from here on out.