The top two teams in our updated MLB power rankings for the middle of September are the first to clinch postseason berths.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (89-61) | Last week: 2 (+1)
Injuries haven’t slowed down the Phillies at all—and a 6-1 week puts them back in the top spot as Harrison Bader and others have stepped up with Trea Turner (hamstring) and Alec Bohm (shoulder) out. The key for Philadelphia is being hot next month.
2. Milwaukee Brewers (91-59) | Last week: 1 (-1)
Milwaukee still has the best record in baseball, but Philly has narrowed the gap after the Brew Crew was swept by a red-hot Rangers squad last week. The Brewers do have a 4-2 record against the Phillies this year, and they’re in a good spot with only one series versus a team that currently has a winning record the rest of the way.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (87-62) | Last week: 4 (+1)
Last weekend was a disappointment with a series loss to the Yankees, but Toronto has bounced back by winning five-of-six games since—extending the AL East lead to 4.0 games. While the Blue Jays hit the road this week, they should benefit from the final six games coming at home to build momentum into October.
4. Detroit Tigers (85-65) | Last week: 3 (-1)
Detroit started the week on fire with 11+ runs in a couple of wins over the Yankees, but they dropped their series in Miami and have fallen 2.5 games behind Toronto for the top seed in the AL. Fortunately, ace Tarik Skubal is said to be fine after leaving his start early on Friday with an apparent rib injury.
5. Chicago Cubs (85-64) | Last week: 5
The offense for Chicago isn’t what it was in the first half of the season, but they continue to have the third-best record in the NL with two weeks to go in the regular season. Although they have an extra game to play, the Cubs sit 5.5 games behind in the division and will need plenty of help to catch Milwaukee.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-65) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Los Angeles having a series in Colorado to get back on track was mentioned last week (they swept the Rockies), and that was followed up by taking weekend series over the Giants. The Dodgers now host the Phillies starting tonight, and winning at least a couple of games would build some confidence versus an opponent that has had their number recently.
7. New York Yankees (83-66) | Last week: 6 (-1)
The Yankees drop a spot after losing a home series to the Tigers—but they showed resiliency by taking two-of-three games in Boston over the weekend. With one of the easier schedules in the majors to finish the year (@ MIN, @ BAL, v CWS, v BAL), New York still has a shot in the AL East (4.0 games back).
8. Seattle Mariners (82-68) | Last week: 11 (+3)
A nine-game winning streak has Seattle back atop the AL West—and all eyes will be on the weekend series in Houston that could end up deciding who takes the division crown. With a bomb yesterday, star slugger Cal Raleigh matched the legendary Mickey Mantle for the most single-season home runs by a switch hitter in MLB history (54).
9. San Diego Padres (82-68) | Last week: 10 (+1)
San Diego’s goal is obviously the NL West (2.5 games back), and they’re in a unique spot as the second wild card team sitting 3.5 games behind the Cubs but 5.0 games up on the Mets (currently the third wild card). So, while the division is firmly in play if they get help, the Padres can also knock New York out of playoff positioning with a series starting tomorrow night.
10. Boston Red Sox (82-68) | Last week: 8 (-2)
The Red Sox missed an opportunity to leap the Yankees after losing two-of-three games to them at home over the weekend—and they need to take care of business versus the A’s and Rays this week with the Rangers (3.0 games back) and Guardians (3.5 games) both catching fire. Looking ahead to the final six days of the season, Boston will face the Blue Jays and Tigers.
11. Houston Astros (81-69) | Last week: 9 (-3)
12. Texas Rangers (79-71) | Last week: 13 (+1)
13. Cleveland Guardians (78-71) | Last week: 16 (+3)
14. New York Mets (77-73) | Last week: 12 (-2)
15. San Francisco Giants (75-74) | Last week: 17 (+2)
16. Cincinnati Reds (74-75) | Last week: 15 (-1)
17. Kansas City Royals (75-75) | Last week: 14 (-3)
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (75-75) | Last week: 19 (+1)
19. St. Louis Cardinals (73-77) | Last week: 18 (-1)
20. Tampa Bay Rays (73-76) | Last week: 20
21. Miami Marlins (70-80) | Last week: 21
22. Oakland Athletics (70-80) | Last week: 23 (+1)
23. Baltimore Orioles (69-80) | Last week: 24 (+1)
24. Los Angeles Angels (69-81) | Last week: 22 (-2)
25. Atlanta Braves (66-83) | Last week: 25
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (65-85) | Last week: 26
27. Minnesota Twins (65-84) | Last week: 27
28. Washington Nationals (62-87) | Last week: 28
29. Chicago White Sox (57-93) | Last week: 29
30. Colorado Rockies (41-109) | Last week: 30