The MLB season enters the final stretch of the season. Let's take a look at the final Power Rankings as some teams are looking to close the door on their division leads, while others are trying to sneak into the wild card.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Just because the Dodgers are 1-9 in their last 10 games, does not mean they are still not the best team in baseball. Last time I checked, they still have Clayton Kershaw, Yu Darvish, Alex Wood, and Rich Hill headlining their rotation as they enter the playoffs. The Dodgers are just fine.
2. Cleveland Indians
Move aside Houston Astros, the Indians are coming to town. The defending American League pennant winners are winners of 12 straight. They have the best road record in the league with a 45-27 mark. If you can win on the road, you can win in the postseason.
3. Houston Astros
Keep in mind that this is a very close marin. The Indians are 81-56, while the Astros are 84-53, meaning the Astros are three games better. Plus, they just acquired Justin Verlander to pair with Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr. The team is still hoping McCullers Jr. bounces back, but this is going to be an interesting ALCS if it happens.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
Poor Arizona. They have won 10 straight and are still just a wild card team with 81 wins.
If it wasn't for the Dodgers, they would be leading a division right now. JD Martinez is hot, especially after hitting four home runs. The Diamondbacks are a bad matchup for the Dodgers with their lineup. It would not be surprising to see them upset them if they meet in the playoffs.
5. Washington Nationals
The Nationals have been coasting in their division as they lead by 16 games.
However, Bryce Harper is still injured which is a concern, but they have a strong rotation and bullpen. Plus, they have that Cy Young candidate. He's pretty good. His name is Max Scherzer. You've probably heard of him.
6. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have hit their stride and seem to be taking advantage of playing bad teams. They have a three game lead in their division, which is still up for grabs.
Hopefully, injuries to Javy Baez an Jake Arrieta are not serious.
7. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox still lead the division by 2.5 games, but might have some trouble their way if they were really cheating. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Yankees are hot on their trail, but if Chris Sale pitches five times this month, your odds are pretty fair.
8. New York Yankees
The Yankees are hoping Aaron Judge gets out of a funk and hits like he did before the Home Run Derby. They still lead the first wild card spot, but not by much. It's going to take some veteran leadership to lead this young squad down the stretch.
9. Milwaukee Brewers.
If the season ended, the Brewers would not be in the playoffs. However, even though they stood pat at the trade deadline, they are contending for a spot in the playoffs.
The Brewers are just 1.5 games behind the Colorado Rockies. They may not be ready, but they will make this interesting.
10. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are starting to fade. They once led the first wild card spot, but now trail the Diamondbacks by 6.5 games. If they don't figure this out soon, they are going to be watching the playoffs.
11. Minnesota Twins
How about Minnesota? They faded and didn't even make an attempt at the deadline. Yet, they are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the second wild card spot. The schedule favors the Twins as they play the Detroit Tigers six times, the Toronto Blue Jays four times, and the san diego padres twice.
12. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have solid lineup after adding Brandon Phillips and Justin Upton.
However, they have had nice rosters on paper in the past and missed the playoffs. It's time to backup the money.
13. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles went on a hot streak by winning seven in a row to put themselves in the hunt. They currently trail by two games. The team's schedule is going to be getting tough, so the flames might cool out.
14. Seattle Mariners
Just when you think Seattle has a chance to contend, they flounder. What a waste Nelson Cruz's bat has been as he tops 100 runs batted in again. However, the team is just two games out. They could get hot, but we shall see.
15. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are three games out of the wild card but have been a bad team all year. The bullpen continues to blow games.
The Cardinals are running out of time. It's time to make a move.
16. Kansas City Royals
Remember when the Royals didn't sell at the deadline because they trusted their core? Now, they are sitting at 68-68 and two games out. This is another team that has been average and is unlikely to make a move.
17. Texas Rangers
At this point, even though the Rangers trail by 1.5 games, the Royals and Mariners still have a better roster on paper. The Rangers shouldn't even be in ths position after dealing Darvish to the Dodgers.
18. Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have sunk past the line. Plus, their next 11 games involve the Boston Red Sox, new york yankees, and Chicago Cubs, all are current playoff teams.
19. Miami Marlins
Giancarlo Stanton is the only reason people recognize the Marlins anymore. He has 53 home runs and is chasing 60. The talk will be if the Marlins trade him next year.
20. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates made the news by extending manager Clint Hurdle until 2021. That came as a shock as the Pirates have missed the playoffs for the second straight year.
21. Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are likely on a rebuild next year. Jose Bautista, Marcus Stroman, and Justin Smoak are all free agents.
22. New York Mets
The Mets are a mess, but at least they traded Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce and received something in return.
23. San Diego Padres
The Padres have 62 wins, but can anyone honestly name a Padre at this point in the season?
24. Atlanta Braves
The Braves will collect a decent draft pick and will have a lot of money. The Braves are the have the most upside out of the bottom feeders on this list.
25. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are facing a rebuild. The next speculation will be where Miguel Cabrera could go.
26. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds should likely fire Bryan Price by the end of the season. Who will replace him?
27. Oakland Athletics
Khris Davis is going to hit over 30 home runs for a second straight season. At least that's a plus, right?
28. San Francisco Giants
The Giants held onto Johnny Cueto and didn't sell anyone. Will they buy their way back into the top tier wins?
29. Chicago White Sox
Give general manager Rick Hahn some credit.
He dealt every possible player that he could this season. In two years, watch out for the White Sox.
30. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies need 15 losses to lost 100 games. It's only September 5th. It's possible.
