1. Boston Red Sox (97-44) | Previous: 1
Yesterday’s thrilling 9-8 win against the Braves was one of the best games of the season, and it completed a sweep over a division leader. Teams were previously 0-487 when being down by six or more runs in the eighth inning this season.
2. Houston Astros (87-53) | Previous: 2
The Astros are on a five-game winning streak, so this upcoming series against the Red Sox is highly-anticipated. This could be an ALCS preview.
3. New York Yankees (87-53) | Previous: 3
The Yankees are in a bit of a funk, but they’re still tied for the second-best record in baseball. Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius are getting close to a return.
4. Cleveland Indians (79-60) | Previous: 4
Cleveland acquiring former AL MVP Josh Donaldson might turn out to be the best move this season by any team. He should be healthy well ahead of the postseason.
5. Chicago Cubs (82-57) | Previous: 5
The Cubs finally lost a game that Cole Hamels started, as they were previously 6-0 in his starts. Hamels (1.00 ERA) continues to put together outstanding starts, though.
6. Oakland Athletics (84-57) | Previous: 6
Since June 16, the Athletics have the best record in the majors at 50-21. They continue to win series, which is obviously the name of the game in October.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (79-62) | Previous: 10 (+3)
Christian Yelich has been on fire for the Brewers, and he’s a serious NL MVP candidate with a few weeks to go in the season. Milwaukee is in a good spot for a wild card.
8. St. Louis Cardinals (78-62) | Previous: 8
The Cardinals still have the best record in the past 30 games (22-8), and they’ll look to keep it going with upcoming series versus Detroit and Pittsburgh.
9. Colorado Rockies (77-62) | Previous: 12 (+3)
A five-game winning streak has pushed the Rockies atop the tight NL West. Trevor Story hit three bombs last night to become the first Rockies shortstop with three home runs in a game.
10. Los Angeles Dodgers (76-64) | Previous: 9 (-1)
The Dodgers will have a chance to re-take control of first-place in the NL West this weekend when they face Colorado for a three-game series. Clayton Kershaw will be on the mound for a start, which is big.
11. Atlanta Braves (76-63) | Previous: 7 (-4)
Atlanta is 8-12 in their last 20 games, including a three-game sweep at the hands of Boston, but they still have a steady three-game lead in the division thanks to the struggles of the Phillies and Nats.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks (75-64) | Previous: 11 (-1)
While the Rockies and Dodgers appear to be on the rise, the Diamondbacks are slumping. They have a good opportunity in back-to-back series versus Atlanta and Colorado.
13. Seattle Mariners (78-62) | Previous: 13
An apparent fight in the Mariners clubhouse is not a good sign with the team 4.5 games back of a wild-card spot in the AL.
14. Philadelphia Phillies (73-66) | Previous: 14
The Phillies have scored two or less runs in five of the last six games (including just one run four times), as they’ve been unable to take advantage of Atlanta’s slide.
15. Tampa Bay Rays (75-64) | Previous: 16 (+1)
The Rays should not be counted out of the AL playoff race quite yet. They are an MLB-best 15-5 in their last 20 games.
16. Washington Nationals (69-71) | Previous: 15 (-1)
Still below .500 in September, it’s not looking good for a Nationals comeback. The question will soon become whether Bryce Harper is playing his last games with the franchise.
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (69-71) | Previous: 18 (+1)
Hopefully Chris Archer is starting to get on track after a six-inning, one-run outing against the Braves last week.
18. San Francisco Giants (68-73) | Previous: 17 (-1)
The Giants are on an MLB-worst five-game losing streak, likely pushing them out of playoff contention.
19. Los Angeles Angels (68-72) | Previous: 19
It’s a shame to hear Shohei Ohtani likely needs Tommy John, but it sure was amazing to see him take the news in stride and notch four hits and two home runs last night. He’s a true superstar.
20. New York Mets (63-76) | Previous: 21 (+1)
They are way out of the playoff race, but the Mets have an NL East-best 18-12 record in the last 30 games.
21. Minnesota Twins (63-76) | Previous: 20 (-1)
The Twins are 2-8 in their last ten games, which is the worst in the majors.
22. Toronto Blue Jays (63-76) | Previous: 22
The Josh Donaldson era is over for the Jays, who seem likely to undergo a rebuild moving forward.
23. Texas Rangers (61-79) | Previous: 23
The Rangers have just one more series against a team currently in-line for the postseason, so this is their last chance to play a bit of spoiler when they face the A’s this weekend.
24. Cincinnati Reds (59-81) | Previous: 24
The Reds scored six combined runs in their series against the Pirates, and it’s tough for them to win when they don’t score at least a few runs per game.
25. Chicago White Sox (56-84) | Previous: 25
The White Sox continue to play well down the stretch, which is what you want to see from a young team. Chicago is 16-14 in the last 30 games.
26. Detroit Tigers (57-83) | Previous: 26
The Tigers are coming off a series win against the White Sox, but they’re 7-13 in their last 20.
27. San Diego Padres (55-86) | Previous: 27
Francisco Mejia made his Padres debut last night, and the 22-year-old will be someone to watch in the final few weeks of the year.
28. Miami Marlins (56-84) | Previous: 28
Strong pitching helped lift the Marlins to a series win against the Phillies.
29. Kansas City Royals (46-93) | Previous: 29
Ned Yost’s squad is 7-3 in their last ten games, which is good see during a trying season.
30. Baltimore Orioles (41-99) | Previous: 30
With an 8-22 record in their last 30 games, the Orioles look like a good bet to have the first overall pick in next year’s MLB Draft.