MLB Power Rankings: And Then There Was 28
Teams are beginning to be eliminated from postseason contention, while others are making their move to be included. How will this shape the MLB Power Rankings for this week?
Heading into tonight, 28 teams were still mathematically alive for the MLB postseason. Only the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins have officially been eliminated, although it felt as though both teams were no longer postseason eligible around mid-June.
Meanwhile, other teams have begun to make their moves, either in or out of the postseason. The San Francisco Giants, who had been struggling in the second half, finally won three games in a row. The New York Mets, who have had to deal with an incredible amount of injuries in their starting rotation, have surged into the second Wild Card spot. It is going to be an exciting race for the finish line.
So, what does this mean for our MLB Power Rankings this week? It means that a few teams saw their positions shift, as teams began to free fall down the standings. While these rankings may not remain the same at the end of the year, it is an indication as to how these franchises are faring over the past few days.
Without further ado, let us delve into this week’s edition of the Power Rankings!
Next: The walking dead
Minnesota Twins. 30. team. 2. Now that the Twins have been officially elminated, they can begin to look forward to 2017. Their reported interest in former Blue Jays Alex Anthropolous is a great place to start. Looking at the Cubs front office, and the proteges of Theo Epstein, is another.. . Previous:
29. team. 8. Not only do the Diamondbacks claim that they will not trade <a href=. . Previous: . Arizona Diamondbacks
28. team. 17. <a href=. . Previous: . Atlanta Braves
Oakland A's. 27. team. 96. It is not shocking that the A’s released <a href=. . Previous:
Previous: . Philadelphia Phillies. 26. team. 6. The future is now in Philly. <a href=.
Next: Not quite dead yet
Previous: . San Diego Padres. 25. team. 127. Is <a href=.
Cincinnati Reds. 24. team. 61. <a href=. . Previous:
. Previous: . Tampa Bay Rays. 23. team. 21. As interesting as it will be to see if this season is an aberration for <a href=
76. The <a href=. . Previous: . Milwaukee Brewers. 22. team
The White Sox have a number of solid pieces, particularly in the starting rotation, but cannot get out of their own way. It is time to take a close look at <a href=. . Previous: . Chicago White Sox. 21. team. 128
Next: The region of disappointment
Previous: . Los Angeles Angels. 20. team. 102. It has been a scary week for <a href=.
. Previous: . Pittsburgh Pirates. 19. team. 4. The Pirates have lost eight of their last ten and three in a row. However, they have located a bargain in <a href=
team. 108. Honestly, I’m still not sure what to make of the Rockies, and we’re entering the 24th week of the season. A 69-74 record is mediocre at best, but they have a run differential of +17. Is this a sign that things are about to turn around in Colorado? Or is that a fluke, and the Rockies will fall back to the bottom next year?. . Previous: . Colorado Rockies. 18
The Marlins would like to keep <a href=. . Previous: . Miami Marlins. 17. team. 82
Kansas City Royals. 16. team. 7. <a href=. . Previous:
Next: Waiting for a slipup
62. The Mariners aren’t quite out of it yet. Afte rtaking three of four from the Rangers, they swept the A’s to pull within 3.5 games of the Wild Card. They still need a lot of help, but if the Mariners are starting to heat up once again, this is the right time to be doing so.. . Previous: . Seattle Mariners. 15. team
. Previous: . New York Mets. 14. team. 3. No one is paying attention to what the Mets are doing on the field, because Tebow-mania is coming to a minor league park near you! The former NFL quarterback will be playing in the Instructional League, at least when his job at ESPN allows. This should go well.
13. team. 43. The Yankees and the rest of baseball have very different ideas as to what rebuilding entails. After selling off top pieces, the Yankees have gone on a tear and are a game out of the Wild Card spot. At this rate, does anyone want to bet against them getting in?. . Previous: . New York Yankees
team. 63. <a href=. . Previous: . Detroit Tigers. 12
11. team. 135. For all the potential MVP candidates in the American League, <a href=. . Previous: . Houston Astros
Next: Trying to hang on
33. <a href=. . Previous: . St. Louis Cardinals. 10. team
It took until the middle of September, but the San Francisco Giants finally won three games in a row for the first time since the All Star Break. Are they finally over their second half swoon, or is that winning streak more of an indictment on the Diamondbacks putrid season?. . Previous: . San Francisco Giants. 9. team. 40
. Previous: . Baltimore Orioles. 8. team. 11. The Orioles are getting healthy, and it is the perfect time. As the AL East has become a four team fight, and the Wild Card continues to be unsettled, having healthy arms back in the rotation could be key to the Orioles postseason hopes.
. Previous: . Los Angeles Dodgers. 7. team. 71. Rich Hill was perfect through seven innings, but <a href=
Previous: . Toronto Blue Jays. 6. team. 39. The window for the Toronto Blue Jays may close after this season, with <a href=.
Next: Changes in the top five
Previous: . Texas Rangers. 5. team. 126. For all the attention that the Cubs get for running off with the division, the Rangers are doing the same in the American League West. With a nine game advantage over the Astros, the time to rest players could be coming soon. I just wonder if <a href=.
4. team. 14. Just when <a href=. . Previous: . Boston Red Sox
90. So much for the comeback. <a href=. . Previous: . Washington Nationals. 3. team
Next: A's release Billy Butler
Not to say the race for the National League Central is over, but the race for the NL Central is over. With a ridiculous 15.5 game lead over the Cardinals for the division, the only way they can miss the postseason is if Steve Bartman shows up outside Wrigley riding a goat and throwing black cats around.. . Previous: . Chicago Cubs. 1. team. 9