As the stretch run nears, MLB teams are beginning to solidify themselves as contenders or pretenders.
This is where the fun begins.
September stretch run baseball is right around the corner. Magic numbers have made their way to the right of first place team’s win-loss records. Playoff percentages have taken a new premium.
Teams, legitimate or not, are starting to get a real sense of what 2016 entails. Shuffling has transpired up and down the league. The men have separated themselves from the boys.
Now, it is a matter of who wants it more. Which team will ultimately steamroll into the playoffs and be the team of destiny?
As unpredictable as the game of baseball is, the landscape is becoming ever-so-clear. The past week has shown us everything from forces to be reckoned with, to busts in the making. With merely five weeks left in the MLB season, it is just a matter of time before clubs settle into their righteous places.
So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at the Week 22 power rankings, effectively putting the entire league into perspective.
Teams 30-26
30. Minnesota Twins (49-81)
2016 has proven to be an absolute lost cause in Minnesota. Rather than showing some form of grit at the tail end of the campaign, the Twins have become the team every organization wants on its upcoming schedule.
Losers of 10 straight, it is just a matter of getting to 60 wins and avoiding the characterization of an utter laughing stock. With a playoff elimination number of 11, the Twins are likely to be the first team in baseball eliminated from postseason contention.
29. Atlanta Braves (48-83)
If it was not for the collapse — if that’s even possible — of the Twins, the team with the worst record in baseball would be sitting at the bottom of the power rankings. However, the Braves can thank the helpless team out in Minnesota for keeping them out of the cellar, for now.
Atlanta is coming off a series with the Giants in which they were embarrassed in two games out of three. Fortunately enough, they were, in fact, able to take the middle game.
With that said, the franchise has to be ailing immensely right now. Heading into 2017, with a brand new luxurious ballpark, there is little to no hope of any substantial improvement.
28. Tampa Bay Rays (55-74)
The Rays are, at large, the afterthought of the American League. For a franchise that plays in the most awkward of locations in the filthiest of ballparks, when they are not legitimate, they greatly suffer.
With essentially a full slate of AL East games forthcoming, until the season’s conclusion, it is just a matter of the few games they can actually win. Let’s just say it is a great sight for the Rays, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Yankees, all of whom are chasing a playoff spot.
27. Los Angeles Angels (56-74)
Perhaps the only ray of light in the Los Angeles Angels’ season is the brilliant performance of Mike Trout. Having a wonderful, MVP-caliber season, the 25-year-old is the one drawing fans to the ballpark every day.
The pitching staff has been dreadful and the lineup is not deep enough to be considered remotely legitimate. There is no surprise as to why the Angels are where they are.
26. Cincinnati Reds (55-74)
Shipping away their team leader, and National League leader, in RBIs, Jay Bruce, at the deadline indicated that the Reds had no desire to make the second half somewhat enticing.
Well on their way to inevitable elimination, the Reds are staying level with the expectations placed on them heading into the year. They are just about a 70-win ballclub.
Teams 25-21
25. Arizona Diamondbacks (55-76)
On the contrary, the D-Backs, who were the “winners” of the offseason, have shown that winter acquisitions and lucrative signings do not guarantee a successful campaign.
Just about everything that was expected to go right has gone south in Arizona, resulting in what should be a last-place finish in the NL West.
24. San Diego Padres (55-75)
The Padres were a team everyone expected to be near the bottom of the National League. If you were part of that majority, you were not proven wrong.
There are no surprises here. San Diego was never destined to shock the baseball world in 2016 nor will they make any noise between now and the finish line.
23. Milwaukee Brewers (56-74)
The Brew Crew is currently in a state of staving off the Reds for last place in the NL Central. Ups and downs have highlighted a season which has seen the departure of a vital offensive piece.
With that put aside, Milwaukee was a team expected to finish in the lower tier of the National League. Evidently gaining the upper hand over numerous lesser foes, they will finish in an area of irrelevance.
22. Oakland A’s (57-73)
The A’s simply do not field a team day in and day out that is worthy of staying out of the cellar. 57-73 is a direct model of their current brand of baseball.
They are not unbearable, but they certainly are not bearable whatsoever.
21. Philadelphia Phillies (60-70)
The Phillies were one of the better stories of the first half, maintaining relevancy while shockingly sticking in the playoff race. While they have rightfully fallen out the race, they have not killed what was been a positive step forward in 2016.
Moving into the month of September, they will have their fair share of opportunities to play the role of “spoiler” on divisional oppositions such as the Mets and the Marlins. Do not be surprised if they complete the task successfully.
They have the talent and personnel to do so, which has been proven time and time again throughout the season.
Teams 20-16
20. Colorado Rockies (62-68)
One of the pleasant surprises of 2016, the Colorado Rockies have been a thorn in the side of many contending teams. Everything from their potent, star-studded offense to their ballpark has given opposing teams fits.
If Colorado did not possess a team ERA of 4.92, ranking 27th in baseball, playoff contention may have been a reality.
19. Chicago White Sox (63-66)
Chicago still has the potential to make some noise in September, nagging the contending teams ahead of them in the process. However, they are one of the teams in the league which defines mediocrity.
Expect the White Sox to finish anywhere from 78 to 82 wins.
18. New York Mets (66-64)
The defending National League champions have been a disappointment to say the least this year, riddled by injuries which have, ultimately, produced lackluster performance.
With that said, a September schedule featuring numerous meetings with the Braves and Phillies only plays to New York’s advantage. It is all on them now.
There is no excuse for this Mets team, coming off an impressive series win in St. Louis and an expected series win over the Phillies, to not make the playoffs.
17. Miami Marlins (67-63)
The loss of Giancarlo Stanton is going to rear its ugly head for the Marlins, who will struggle in meaningful games without his presence. Expect Miami to dip below New York in the rankings once the men in Flushing prove they are no joke.
This year will prove to be a positive step forward, and a nice surprise, but essentially a disappointment when they miss out on the postseason yet again.
16. Seattle Mariners (68-62)
2016 has had a nice mix of everything for Seattle. The middle of the lineup has been doing major work, the pitching has been a nice sight to see, and, collectively, wins have been compiled.
Will it be enough to squeak in as a wild card in the American League? Four meetings with Texas, six meetings with Houston, and three meetings with Toronto may very well decide their fate in September.
Teams 15-11
15. Pittsburgh Pirates (67-61)
Pittsburgh has been in a “down, but not out” position all year yet remain relevant in the wild card picture. Only half a game behind the Cardinals, it is looking more and more likely that the second place team in the NL Central will earn a postseason bid.
As a team that has hosted the one-game play-in at PNC Park three straight years, do not count the Pirates out by any stretch.
14. New York Yankees (67-62)
Ever since supposedly waving the white flag on August 1, the Yankees have been a revitalized club, establishing themselves as a threat in the American League. Consecutive series wins against the Angels, Mariners, and Orioles have proven that the Bronx Bombers will be in it until the end.
The heroics of Gary Sanchez, the improvements of the starting staff, and a newly found charisma will all be factors propelling the Yanks. With three games coming up against the Royals and then three more with Baltimore, this is where the real fight begins.
13. Baltimore Orioles (71-59)
Being completely embarrassed in their first two games at Yankee Stadium, the Orioles displayed how illegitimate they are. Riding power bats the entire year with no sense of starting pitching simply does not work.
The fact that the O’s lack an ace, or a reliable starter for that matter, will bury them beneath the playoff picture when push comes to shove.
12. Houston Astros (68-62)
Steer clear of the Astros. A team that was projected to be favorites for the pennant has participated in a rollercoaster ride of a season.
Their September schedule is not necessarily favorable, but it lets them choose their destiny. Houston will have a bevy of chances to leap into a wild card spot.
11. Kansas City Royals (68-62)
The defending World Series champions have been a disappointment all year but have started surging at the right time. Eight wins in their last 10 games coming off a brilliant winning streak will only help already significant chances.
The only teams left to leapfrog are the Tigers — who they play six more times — and the Orioles. Kansas City may just get a chance to defend its title.
Teams 10-6
10. St. Louis Cardinals (68-61)
All year long, everyone has been writing off the Cardinals. Yet, here they are. A team that should be considered a favorite to be one of the National League representatives in the wild card game, the opportunity is there.
Currently clinging to a lead, they have their work cut out for them without a doubt. However, they seem to be the most qualified by a landslide.
9. Detroit Tigers (69-61)
Detroit was not expected to do much of anything this year but they have held their own, largely thanks to a stellar bounce-back year from Justin Verlander.
Only two games back in the playoff hunt and 4.5 back of the Indians in the division, there is noise to be made. Seven meetings with Cleveland in September can do a lot for the Tigers.
8. San Francisco Giants (71-59)
For a large part of the year, the Giants were a favorite to come out of the National League and possessed the best record in baseball. A brutal 14-26 second half record has been extremely detrimental to their hopes.
Luckily, for their sake, they remain at a 2.5 game advantage for the first wild card spot and only two games back of the Dodgers in the division. Well, that is what an outstanding start does for you. If the Giants want it, they can go and get it.
7. Boston Red Sox (72-58)
Another pleasant surprise this year has been the Red Sox. Their 704 runs lead baseball, an explosive offense and a force to be reckoned with.
Sitting a mere two games out of first place, Boston can take the AL East if, and only if, their pitching performs down the stretch.
6. Cleveland Indians (73-56)
The Indians have been the greatest story in baseball this year. A 52-36 first half record had them shocking the entire MLB landscape.
While they still sit atop the AL Central, their 21-20 second half has been much more pedestrian. Nevertheless, all signs point towards them hoisting the division crown.
Top 5 MLB Teams
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (73-57)
Los Angeles has remained steady all year, taking advantage of San Francisco’s miscues and propelling themselves into first place. Yet, they only hold a two-game lead in the division.
Their steadiness gets them the number five slot in the power rankings, but one hot stretch from the Giants and the Dodgers become an afterthought. For their sake, they do not want to participate in a one-game playoff against the likes of the Mets or the Marlins, particularly if Clayton Kershaw does not make it back.
4. Washington Nationals (75-55)
Plain and simple, the NL East belongs to the Washington Nationals. A forceful comeback year has placed them eight games up heading into the more meaningful portion of the season.
Now, it is just a matter of finishing off what they started. In the process, they need to hope that Stephen Strasburg gets back healthy. Without him, their chances of making noise in the postseason take a substantial hit.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (74-56)
The Blue Jays just will not let up. Essentially replicating their offensive output from the second half of last year, they are proving it will be tough to dethrone them as AL East champions.
The question remains: Can J.A. Happ continue to be the ace a team like Toronto desperately needs? That remains to be seen.
2. Texas Rangers (77-54)
Acquiring Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran at the deadline, the Rangers fortified what was already a prominent lineup. An 8.5-game cushion in the AL West provides them the opportunity to gear up for the postseason.
In a shaky American League, Texas can be viewed as favorites to win the pennant. A lot can change, but they are, by far, the most formidable at this point.
1. Chicago Cubs (82-47)
Will this be the year? It certainly appears as if it can be. The Cubs are as explosive, dominant, and forthright as ever. A 14-game lead in the NL Central will allow them to sit back and rest up in September.
108 years separates Chicago from its last World Series title. 71 years separates Chicago from its last NL pennant. On pace to win 103 games, this year will give them the chance to erase that sorrow.
Emmanuel Berbari covers the New York Yankees & Major League Baseball for ESNY. Interact with him and view his daily work by “liking” his facebook page. He invites you to email any questions, comments, or concerns as well.