There is room for a few teams to make a move in each Wild Card race with three weeks to go in the regular season.
1. Milwaukee Brewers (89-55) | Last week: 1
The Brewers lost a home series to the Phillies to begin last week, but they still have a comfortable cushion for the best record in baseball after sweeping the Pirates. Still, Milwaukee is by no means a powerhouse, and October could be more unpredictable than ever in both the AL and NL.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (83-60) | Last week: 4 (+2)
Trea Turner (hamstring) going down yesterday dampens a strong week with Philadelphia going 4-2—and the club can only hope that the MVP candidate is 100% healthy by next month. For now, others will need to step up as the Phillies look to essentially put away the Mets in the NL East with a four-game series beginning tonight.
3. Detroit Tigers (82-62) | Last week: 2 (-1)
Teams behind them not really stepping up keeps Detroit in the top three of the power rankings, but they lost series at home to the Mets (allowing double-digit runs in both losses) and then squandered an opportunity by losing two-of-three games against the White Sox. We’ll see if they regroup with an off day.
4. Toronto Blue Jays (82-61) | Last week: 3 (-1)
Toronto lost a series in the Bronx to a resurgent Yankees team over the weekend, so they drop a spot as their AL East lead was cut to 2.0 games. The top of the AL is extremely tight, and the Blue Jays will try to be better back at home with the Astros visiting starting tomorrow.
5. Chicago Cubs (81-62) | Last week: 6 (+1)
Chicago only went 3-3 last week with a disappointing series loss to the Nationals, but they still leap the Dodgers due to LA’s struggles. Off the field, it’s been cool to see Sammy Sosa back at Wrigley Field this year after over two decades away from the organization, including a Cubs Hall of Fame induction over the weekend.
6. New York Yankees (80-63) | Last week: 10 (+4)
The Yankees are suddenly not only within striking distance in the AL East—but also for homefield advantage in the AL with a chance to take control with a series against Detroit this week. Since a series loss to the Red Sox last month, New York has won four consecutive series.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers (79-64) | Last week: 5 (-2)
Los Angeles is not playing their best baseball as the postseason nears, and the NL West lead is back down to 1.0 game after a week that saw them go 1-5 against the Pirates and Orioles. If the club can’t get going against the last-place Rockies this week, it might be time to hit the panic button.
8. Boston Red Sox (79-65) | Last week: 7 (-1)
The Red Sox remain squarely in AL East contention (3.5 games back), and they have confidence in beating the Yankees—with the rivals facing off for the last time in the regular season this weekend. Aroldis Chapman being more dominant than ever (one earned run allowed over his past 37 games) is a scary thought for the rest of the MLB.
9. Houston Astros (78-66) | Last week: 8 (-1)
Houston has been fortunate with their valleys seeming to coincide with the struggles for Seattle, so they still hold a 2.5-game advantage in the division. Keep an eye on the Rangers, though, as they’re 4.5 games back, just took the weekend series over the Astros, and will get them again next week.
10. San Diego Padres (78-65) | Last week: 9 (-1)
San Diego being unable to capitalize on Los Angeles being weaker than they’ve been in years must be frustrating for them—and a five-game losing streak was finally snapped on Saturday. The Padres need to make their move with home series against the Reds and Rockies this week.
11. Seattle Mariners (75-68) | Last week: 11
12. New York Mets (76-67) | Last week: 12
13. Texas Rangers (74-70) | Last week: 13
14. Kansas City Royals (73-70) | Last week: 14
15. Cincinnati Reds (72-71) | Last week: 15
16. Cleveland Guardians (72-70) | Last week: 16
17. San Francisco Giants (72-71) | Last week: 18 (+1)
18. St. Louis Cardinals (72-72) | Last week: 17 (-1)
19. Arizona Diamondbacks (72-72) | Last week: 19
20. Tampa Bay Rays (71-72) | Last week: 20
21. Miami Marlins (66-77) | Last week: 21
22. Los Angeles Angels (67-76) | Last week: 22
23. Oakland Athletics (66-78) | Last week: 23
24. Baltimore Orioles (66-77) | Last week: 26 (+2)
25. Atlanta Braves (64-79) | Last week: 24 (-1)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (64-80) | Last week: 27 (+1)
27. Minnesota Twins (63-80) | Last week: 25 (-2)
28. Washington Nationals (58-84) | Last week: 28
29. Chicago White Sox (55-89) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (40-103) | Last week: 30