The first MLB power rankings for September include the Orioles leaping back over the Dodgers.
1. Atlanta Braves (90-46) | Last week: 1
The Braves came to play in a battle between the top two teams in the National League, taking three of four at Dodgers Stadium. Ronald Acuna Jr. emphatically became the first player in MLB history to reach 30+ home runs and 60+ stolen bases in a season with a grand slam:
HISTORY MADE.
RONALD'S 30TH HOME RUN OF THE SEASON IS A GRAND SLAM. pic.twitter.com/Cwun8fwyil
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 1, 2023
2. Baltimore Orioles (85-51) | Last week: 3 (+1)
Back in the No. 2 spot in the power rankings, the Orioles scored 33 runs in their four wins last week. One of the top stories in sports this year shows no signs of slowing down.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (84-52) | Last week: 2 (-1)
LA needed a stopper to avoid a four-game sweep at home to Atlanta, and rookie starter Bobby Miller came through yesterday with seven fantastic innings of one-run ball. It’s the type of outing that could give Miller confidence in big games this October.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (83-54) | Last week: 4
The Rays appear to be fully back on track, keeping within a couple of games of the Orioles in the AL East—but it’s a challenging stretch this week against the Red Sox and Mariners.
5. Seattle Mariners (77-59) | Last week: 5
The Mariners have cooled down slightly, with just a .500 week while facing the A’s and Mets. The AL West is entertainingly tight to begin September.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (76-60) | Last week: 6
The offense for Milwaukee came alive in the first two games of their series against the Phillies, scoring seven runs in the first two outings of a series victory. The Brewers are a strong 40-28 at home this year.
7. Philadelphia Phillies (75-61) | Last week: 7
A couple of blown leads which cost the Phillies two games—both coming after huge go-ahead homers by Bryce Harper (the 300th of his career) and Trea Turner (remaining red-hot following his slow start)—hurt, but they’ve been playing very well late in the season.
8. Texas Rangers (76-60) | Last week: 8
A walk-off home run by Adolis Garcia helped avoid a weekend sweep versus the Twins, and it could be a timely momentum builder heading into a critical matchup with the Astros. The forearm fatigue for Max Scherzer is something to keep an eye on down the stretch.
9. Houston Astros (77-61) | Last week: 9
The disappointing Yankees showed up for a showdown with their old American League rival, getting a sweep at Houston. Now, the Astros need to get back on track both offensively and pitching wise quickly for an AL West battle.
10. Chicago Cubs (73-64) | Last week: 10
With a few teams all knotted up behind them for the third NL wild card spot, the Cubs have currently separated themselves for No. 2. It’s been awesome to see the resurgence from Cody Bellinger, and Chicago had a very strong offseason to quickly get back into serious contention.
11. Minnesota Twins (71-66) | Last week: 11
12. Toronto Blue Jays (75-62) | Last week: 12
13. Miami Marlins (70-67) | Last week: 17 (+4)
14. Boston Red Sox (71-66) | Last week: 14
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (70-67) | Last week: 13 (-2)
16. San Francisco Giants (70-67) | Last week: 16
17. Cincinnati Reds (71-68) | Last week: 15 (-2)
18. San Diego Padres (65-73) | Last week: 18
19. New York Yankees (68-69) | Last week: 20 (+1)
20. Cleveland Guardians (66-71) | Last week: 22 (+2)
21. Los Angeles Angels (64-73) | Last week: 19 (-2)
22. Pittsburgh Pirates (63-74) | Last week: 25 (+3)
23. New York Mets (63-74) | Last week: 23
24. Detroit Tigers (63-74) | Last week: 24
25. Washington Nationals (62-76) | Last week: 21 (-4)
26. St. Louis Cardinals (59-78) | Last week: 26
27. Chicago White Sox (53-84) | Last week: 27
28. Colorado Rockies (50-86) | Last week: 28
29. Oakland Athletics (42-95) | Last week: 30 (+1)
30. Kansas City Royals (42-96) | Last week: 29 (-1)