MLB Power Rankings: Clearing Up the Postseason Picture
Here we are, heading into the final week of the MLB season. How are the teams stacking up as the season is coming to an end?
It is sad to think that the regular season is coming to an end. While there is nothing quite like October baseball, the end of the MLB season signifies the true end of summer. Now, the coming months will be getting colder, and the snow and long nights taking a toll.
Fortunately, we still have one week of action left. While a number of teams have punched their ticket to the postseason, there are still a few races that have yet to be determined. teams are still holding out hope, no matter how slim their chances may be.
Meanwhile, we have had a few teams solidify their spots in the draft order. The Minnesota Twins have clinched the worst record in the game, shockingly surpassing the Atlanta Braves as the worst team in the league. Yet, even teams like the Twins, and others who fell far below expectations this year, can look ahead to the 2017 campaign with a degree of hope.
But what about this last week of the season? Where are the teams as we head off into that final stretch of games? Let’s take a look at the final MLB power rankings of the season.
2. Let’s face it – the Twins have been an abject disappointment this year. After hanging around the periphery of the Wild Card last year, it was expected that they would take a step forward. Instead, they will be the only team with 100 losses this season. It is not what Twins fans had in mind when the season began.. . . Minnesota Twins. 30. team
29. team. 8. On the positive side, the Diamondbacks finally got something out of <a rel=. . . Arizona Diamondbacks
. Philadelphia Phillies. 28. team. 6. The Phillies have the exact same run differential, -169, as the Twins, but are 14 games better. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the future in Philadelphia, especially as the contract of <a rel=.
. . Atlanta Braves. 27. team. 17. There is a lot to look forward to with the Braves as they enter a new ballpark next season. With <a rel=
. Oakland Athletics. 26. team. 96. When the trade deadline deals are reviewed years from now, the A’s acquisition of <a rel=.
21. The Tampa Bay Rays may be in the worst spot of any of the teams in the bottom third. Not only could they fall outside of the top five in terms of their draft selection, but they do not have many impact prospects on the cusp of the Majors. It may well be a couple of long years in Tampa Bay while they attempt to get back to contention.. . . Tampa Bay Rays. 25. team
24. team. 127. We are starting to see a bit of the future in San Diego, and it looks promising. <a rel=. . . San Diego Padres
128. Looking at the White Sox now, it is hard to imagine that they were one of the top teams in baseball in April. They even made an attempt to bolster the rotation, bringing in <a rel=. . . Chicago White Sox. 23. team
61. A funny thing happened as the Reds began their rebuild – they played better. Bringing in younger players has given the team a new life, and the offense looks promising. Right now, the Reds need to focus on their pitching staff, in every aspect. The biggest question this offseason may involve Rasiel Iglesias’ future – is he a starter, or should be become the Reds closer?. . . Cincinnati Reds. 22. team
76. The Brewers are considering giving manager <a rel=. . . Milwaukee Brewers. 21. team
It is hard to imagine that a team with <a rel=. . . Los Angeles Angels. 20. team. 102
team. 4. In a season that has been a disaster, there have been a few pleasant surprises. <a rel=. . . Pittsburgh Pirates. 19
I still don’t know what to make of this team. The Rockies have a worse record than the White Sox or the Pirates, but are just behind the Rangers in run differential. In fact, the Rockies Pythagorean record indicates that they should be right about .500 on the year. They need to learn how to win the close games, but they could have a bright future ahead.. . . Colorado Rockies. 18. team. 108
. . New York Yankees. 17. team. 43. It was a nice story, how the Yankees young kids were pushing the team back into contention this year. Unfortunately, injuries and a sudden inability to close games reared their heads, pushing the team to the brink of elimination. On the plus side, these young players are getting a taste of a postseason push, which will help them in the years to come.
. Miami Marlins. 16. team. 82. RIP <a rel=.
15. team. 7. The Royals have a lot of questions heading into the offseason. With players like <a rel=. . . Kansas City Royals
14. team. 63. The Tigers had a chance to move up in the Wild Card race, then lost the series to the Royals. <a rel=. . . Detroit Tigers
13. team. 135. The Astros are alive in the Wild Card chase by mathematics only at this point. With a key series against the Mariners, both teams pretty much need to sweep in order to have a chance. On the Astros side, that early season hole they found themselves in has proven to be far too much to overcome, even with the young players performing well down the stretch.. . . Houston Astros
3. Every time it seems as though the Mets are going to get one of their pitchers back, they have a setback and the time table is pushed back. Yet, despite <a rel=. . . New York Mets. 12. team
team. 40. Just as hot as the Giants were at the start of the season, they have been equally cold in the second half. Yet, despite their implosion, the Giants still hold down the second Wild Card spot. If they can somehow sneak into the playoffs, does anyone want to bet against their even year playoff magic? Any team can get hot at the right time.. . . San Francisco Giants. 11
. Seattle Mariners. 10. team. 62. Let us think about how brilliant <a rel=.
. . Baltimore Orioles. 9. team. 11. Few players have ever been as useless overall despite hitting 40 home runs as <a rel=
The Blue Jays took care of business against eh Mariners last week, and have a chance to put the Orioles away in their three game set. A virtual lock to be one of the Wild Card teams in the American League, Toronto has to hope that their offensive firepower will be enough to bring them to the World Series this year.. . . Toronto Blue Jays. 8. team. 39
33. Normally, finishing the season at home against the Reds and the Pirates would be good news for a team looking to make the playoffs. However, the Cardinals are 33-41 at home, making these seemingly easy matchups a more difficult proposition. Will their home woes keep the Cardinals from the postseason, or will these matchups help their chances?. . . St. Louis Cardinals. 7. team
team. 71. It has been a difficult season for the Dodgers, as their depth has been tested throughout the season. Yet, despite injuries to virtually everyone on their pitching staff, and the loss of <a rel=. . . Los Angeles Dodgers. 6
90. Shortly after reiterating to the Nationals that he was not playing hurt, <a rel=. . . Washington Nationals. 5. team
. Texas Rangers. 4. team. 126. The Rangers just have a knack for winning. Regardless of what the statistics may say, or how they are outperforming their Pythagorean record, the fact of the matter is that they know how to get that W at the end of the day. Texas appears to have learned from last year’s implosion, and may be ready to take that next step in the postseason..
. . Boston Red Sox. 2. team. 14. If ever there was to be a storybook ending to a career, <a rel=
Next: Cardinals all time 25 man roster
9. It is World Series or bust for the Chicago Cubs, a statement that seems completely bizarre to say. Easily the best team in the league this season, this may be the Cubs best chance to break the Curse of the Billy Goat. A championship in Chicago, and <a rel=. . . Chicago Cubs. 1. team