Featured in this week’s MLB Power Rankings, the Brewers and Rays clinch playoff spots, the White Sox and Guardians clash, rookie bats are mashing, and Payton Tolle continues to steal our hearts.
As a reminder, this article is a combination of current performance and long-term outlook.
Let’s get into it!
Note: Rankings are from the morning of Monday, September 14.
1) Milwaukee Brewers
Last week: 1
The Brewers had an authoritative few days as they once again lay claim to the top spot in our rankings. They swept the Cubs to begin last week before clinching a playoff spot with a 20-0 victory over the Reds. Whether their success translates to the postseason is the big question, but they’re making a compelling case that this October could be different.
2) Tampa Bay Rays ⬆️
Last week: 3
As decisive as the Brewers’ clinching effort was on Friday, the Rays ramped up the drama for theirs. Junior Caminero reached the 40-homer mark in walkoff fashion on Friday, and the celebration was on. While some would mark the occasion with champagne, Yandy Díaz is built different.
3) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬇️
Last week: 2
The Dodgers carried an eight-game winning streak into the weekend before losing two out of three to the Marlins. Of course, the biggest news in recent days is that Shohei Ohtani finally hit the injured list with his biceps and knee injuries. What version of Ohtani will we see in the postseason is anyone’s guess.
As for Ohtani’s replacement, rookie slugger Josue De Paula, he launched a mammoth homer for his first career hit on Sunday.
4) Atlanta Braves
Last week: 4
If you were fortunate enough to watch the Phillies and Braves square off on Friday, you witnessed one of the best game’s of the season.
The Braves rallied in the ninth and 10th innings to stay alive, culminating in this walk-off double from Drake Baldwin.
Playoff intensity, not just from the players but from the fans as well. Who else is ready for the postseason?
5) New York Yankees
Last week: 5
Cam Schlittler dominated the Mets on Sunday and has now allowed one earned run or fewer in each of his last seven starts. He has the AL Cy Young Award locked up this point, but the chatter about his MVP candidacy is starting to pick up.
6) Chicago Cubs ⬆️
Last week: 7
Pete Crow-Armstrong is now the heavy favorite to win the NL MVP Award, but don’t let that distract you from Alex Bregman, who has been one of the best players in baseball during the second half. He’s hitting .333 with 15 homers and a 1.086 OPS over his last 45 games while playing Gold Glove defense at third base.
7) Philadelphia Phillies ⬇️
Last week: 6
After losing two out of three to the Braves over the weekend, winning the division probably isn’t going to happen. At this point, it’s about making sure they are at full strength going into the postseason. Jesus Luzardo’s shoulder is going to be a focal point in the coming days. He was scratched from Saturday’s start, though an MRI didn’t show any structural damage. It’s unclear when he’ll pitch next.
8) Boston Red Sox
Last week: 8
If you’re not a Payton Tolle fan, it’s time to reevaluate.
9) San Diego Padres ⬆️
Last week: 11
Winners of seven straight, the Padres are the hottest team in baseball. After sweeping the Giants over the weekend, they now own a 2.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks for the final NL Wild Card spot. In other news, Manny Machado has gone blonde.
10) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬇️
Last week: 9
The Diamondbacks are being forced to make some tough decisions as they attempt to secure a playoff spot. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was designated for assignment over the weekend now Zac Gallen is shifting into a bullpen role to finish out the season.
11) Chicago White Sox ⬇️
Last week: 10
On Saturday, Randal Grichuk delivered what was arguably the biggest hit of the season for the White Sox.
Grichuk, who began the season with the Yankees, is hitting .301 with 13 homers and a .939 OPS over 205 plate appearances since joining the White Sox in early May. Pretty cool to see for the 35-year-old.
12) Cleveland Guardians ⬆️
Last week: 13
Say hello to your must-see series of the week. The Guardians sit a half-game back of the White Sox in the AL Central as the two clubs square off for three games in Cleveland beginning on Monday.
13) Houston Astros ⬇️
Last week: 12
With Carlos Correa on the verge of returning from ankle surgery, the Astros are reportedly considering using him at second base for the first time in his career.
14) Toronto Blue Jays
Last week: 14
It took until September 13, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally hit his first home run of the season at Rogers Centre.
15) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬆️
Last week: 18
Barring a miracle, there’s not enough time for the Pirates to chase down a playoff spot, but they have a chance at securing their first .500 season since 2018. That would be a major accomplishment.
16) Texas Rangers ⬇️
Last week: 15
With a playoff spot there for the taking, the Rangers picked a good time for their first series win on the road since the end of June. Beginning on Tuesday, they’ll play nine games at home while taking on the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Mets.
17) Miami Marlins
Last week: 17
This has been a frustrating year for Agustín Ramírez as he lost his spot in the Marlins’ lineup and found himself down in Triple-A for three months, but he channeled that frustration into a walk-off win against the Dodgers on Sunday.
18) St. Louis Cardinals ⬇️
Last week: 16
There are moments when your life flashes before your eyes. That’s how I felt seeing Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina being inducted into the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame on Sunday.
Next stop Cooperstown?
19) Baltimore Orioles
Last week: 19
Pete Alonso is sitting on 299 career home runs as he makes his return to Citi Field on Monday. You know how this is going to go, right?
20) Minnesota Twins ⬆️
Last week: 21
These top prospects are showing up ready to make an impact. Here’s 23-year-old Emmanuel Rodriguez, who homered in his first MLB at-bat on Sunday.
Between Rodríguez, Walker Jenkins, and Kaelen Culpepper, there’s a lot to be excited about with the Twins moving forward.
21) Detroit Tigers ⬆️
Last week: 25
Justin Verlander threw a bullpen session on Saturday and the hope is that he can wrap up his career with one last outing during the final weekend of the regular season. Let’s hope it happens.
22) Cincinnati Reds ⬇️
Last week: 20
The most dangerous job in the world last week was being a Reds pitcher. They gave up 47 runs (!) in the span of three games between Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. That’s the worst three-game stretch in franchise history.
23) Seattle Mariners ⬇️
Last week: 22
Lazaro Montes has the juice, people. Just sit back and enjoy this 474-foot moonshot, which ties Fernando Tatís Jr. for the longest homer in MLB this season.
It was also the longest homer at T-Mobile Park since the introduction of Statcast. Oh baby.
24) Washington Nationals ⬇️
Last week: 23
We’ve spent a ton of time highlighting the Nationals’ powerhouse offense this season, but what a year Cade Cavalli has had. After making it back from Tommy John surgery, the 28-year-old has compiled a 3.12 ERA with 194 strikeouts across 164 2/3 innings. No Nationals pitcher has reached the 200-strikeout mark since Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin all reached it when they won the World Series in 2019. Cavalli could get there Wednesday against the Phillies.
25) New York Mets ⬇️
Last week: 24
After going deep twice in Saturday’s win over the Yankees, Francisco Lindor has now reached 20 homers in six straight seasons and for the ninth time in his career. Much like former teammate Pete Alonso, he’s sitting on 299 career homers to begin the week.
26) Kansas City Royals
Last week: 26
Carter Jensen slugged his 24th homer of the season on Saturday, which ties him with Bob Hamelin for the Royals’ rookie record. This is mostly an excuse to highlight what is widely regarded as the worst (or best?) rookie baseball card of all time. If you haven’t seen it before, you’re welcome.
27) San Francisco Giants
Last week: 27
Rafael Devers has been on a legendary run of late, so it’s a shame to see him go down with a season-ending core muscle injury. He slugged 11 homers over his final 18 games.
28) Athletics
Last week: 28
In a year where seemingly all of the A’s noteworthy bats went down with injury, this definitely checks out. Leo De Vries, the big prize in the Mason Miller trade last year, is slated for surgery to repair an anterior labrum tear in his right shoulder. He could miss around eight months, which would place his return around mid-May next year.
29) Los Angeles Angels
Last week: 29
After being swept by the Nationals over the weekend, the Angels will need to go 7-6 over their final 13 games to avoid their first 100-loss season in franchise history. The odds aren’t good.
30) Colorado Rockies
Last week: 30
The Rockies have lost seven straight and now appear likely to have their fourth-straight 100-loss season.
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