Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: The AL dominates the top of the rankings

By Bobby Mueller

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 26: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates in the clubhouse with Jose Altuve #27 after the Astros clinched the American League West division title after their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 26: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates in the clubhouse with Jose Altuve #27 after the Astros clinched the American League West division title after their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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MLB Power Rankings
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals waves to the crowd following the Nationals 9-3 win over the Miami Marlins during their last home game of the year at Nationals Park on September 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

MLB Power Rankings: Number 15 to 11

#15 Pittsburgh Pirates, 82-79, .509 (80-81 Expected Record)
-1 run-differential, 34-30, .531 since All-Star break

The excitement of three straight postseason appearances from 2013 to 2015 has worn off for fans in Pittsburgh. Attendance at the best ballpark in baseball, PNC Park, peaked at nearly 2.5 million fans in 2015, when the Pirates won 98 games. Three years later, attendance dropped by more than a million fans as their attendance was at levels last seen in the mid-1990s, when they still played at Three Rivers Stadium.

#14 Arizona Diamondbacks, 82-80, .506 (87-75 Expected Record)
+49 run-differential, 29-36, .446 since All-Star break

Heading into September, the Diamondbacks led the NL West by a game over the Dodgers and 1.5 games over the Rockies. Then they went 8-20 in September and fell out of the race. During this ugly stretch, their bullpen went 2-8, with nine blown saves and a 5.66 ERA.

#13 Washington Nationals, 82-80, .506 (91-71 Expected Record)
+89 run-differential, 34-32, .515 since All-Star break

It remains to be seen whether Bryce Harper returns to the Nationals next season, but fans can be happy that Max Scherzer will be back. The Scherz struck out his 300th batter of the season in his final start, which put him in impressive company. As for Harper, after Sunday’s game he had nice things to say about his time in D.C.

#12 St. Louis Cardinals, 88-74, .543 (89-73 Expected Record)
+68 run-differential, 40-28, .588 since All-Star break

A 1-5 finish to close out the season cost the Cardinals a chance at a playoff spot. Had they gone 4-2, they would be in a tie-breaker playoff on Monday. Instead, they missed the postseason for the third year in a row. The last time the Cardinals weren’t in the playoffs three seasons in a row was from 1997 to 1999, when Mark McGwire was still hitting dingers on a regular basis.

#11 Colorado Rockies, 91-71, .562 (85-77 Expected Record)
+38 run-differential, 40-26, .606 since All-Star break

The Rockies have the second-most wins in franchise history, but it will take a win in their tie-breaker game against the Dodgers on Monday to give them their first NL West division title. When the playoffs begin, the Rockies will have the worst run-differential but the fifth-best second half record of the 10 playoff teams.

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