TEXAS TWO STEP: The Rangers are back in the top two just in time for September and the REAL World Series speculation. Photo courtesy Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
It’s September, people, which means we’ve come down to it. The active rosters are 15 people larger and the games are infinitely more important.
Of course, many teams are not in pursuit of the playoffs. Ball clubs like the ones in Denver, Houston, and San Diego have been out of it for a while. And, actually, it’s for THEM that this roster expansion is actually intended for. These teams call up youngster to give them a dose of “the bigs” without having to do away with their everyday players.
But many other teams, like the teams atop these power rankings, still have their eyes set on one goal: a trip to the world series. As always, we set out to figure out who is looking the best to accomplish just that. Let’s take a look.
MLB POWER RANKINGS – SEPTEMBER 3RD
1. Washington Nationals | 81-52 (39-25 Home, 42-27 Road) [Change From Last Ranking: + 1]
Yes, the Nationals are the new top team. Why? The best record in MLB and they actually STRUGGLED.
2. Texas Rangers | 79-54 (43-25 Home, 36-29 Road) [+ 2]
They’re holding off Oakland a surging back into the Top 3 in the process. Plus, there’s the experience.
3. Cincinnati Reds | 82-53 (42-24 Home, 40-29 Road) [± 0]
They have the highest win total, but how much does their second-worst strength of schedule help?
4. New York Yankees | 76-57 (41-28 Home, 35-29 Road) [- 3]
A 3-slot drop is a bit harsh, but all four of these teams are really neck-and-neck.
5. Atlanta Braves | 75-59 (37-31 Home, 38-28 Road) [± 0]
They couldn’t capitalize on a Nationals slide, and consequently remain an afterthought in the Top 5.
6. San Francisco Giants | 76-58 (37-28 Home, 39-30 Road) [+ 6]
Blockbuster schmockbuster, the Giants still have a 4.5-game lead over the Dodgers. They ARE Giants.
7. Baltimore Orioles | 74-59 (37-30 Home, 37-29 Road) [+ 3]
Buck’s never-say-die birds are at it again, but the Expected W-L indicate the O’s might just be lucky.
8. Oakland Athletics | 76-58 (42-27 Home, 34-30 Road) [+ 6]
What the hell is happening in Oakland? I don’t know, but I do know the green and gold are good.
9. Tampa Bay Rays | 73-61 (35-30 Home, 38-31 Road) [- 1]
They’ve slid a little, but the statistics show that the Rays might be better than their record indicates.
10. Los Angeles Dodgers | 72-63 (37-31 Home, 35-32 Road) [- 3]
The blockbuster trade hasn’t quite had the desired effect yet. Still, they’re absolutely loaded.
11. St. Louis Cardinals | 72-62 (40-26 Home, 32-36 Road) [+ 2]
They were cruising right along before playing Washington. Unsurprisingly, they struggled on the road.
12. Pittsburgh Pirates | 70-63 (40-26 Home, 30-37 Road) [- 6]
They’ve slid and given way to the Cardinals. Now, Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes are starting to falter.
13. Detroit Tigers | 72-61 (42-26 Home, 30-35 Road) [- 4]
They finally caught the White Sox, but it’ll be a tough, tough pennant race the next month or so.
14. Chicago White Sox | 72-61 (38-26 Home, 34-35 Road) [- 3]
They’re starting to slide and the problem is they might need to win the Central to clinch the playoffs.
15. Los Angeles Angels | 71-63 (36-29 Home, 35-34 Road) [± 0]
They’ve stopped the bleeding, but now the division-leading Rangers are way ahead.
16. New York Mets | 64-70 (30-35 Home, 34-35 Road) [+ 2]
They and the Phillies have suddenly reawakened, but it might just be too late. Who knows?
17. Philadelphia Phillies | 64-70 (32-37 Home, 32-33 Road) [+ 3]
I wonder, if they knew they’d be only 8 games out of the Wild Card, if they still would’ve sold in July.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks | 66-69 (33-34 Home, 33-35 Road) [- 2]
It’s been a rough two weeks for Phoenix fans, and playoff hopes seem to be all but gone now.
19. Seattle Mariners | 65-70 (34-32 Home, 31-38 Road) [± 0]
It’s a shame the other three AL West teams have stolen the show, because this isn’t a half-bad club.
20. Milwaukee Brewers | 65-68 (41-28 Home, 24-40 Road) [+ 3]
Where were these Brewers four months ago? It just underlines what a shame this season has been.
21. Boston Red Sox | 62-73 (32-38 Home, 30-35 Road) [- 4]
Maybe three weeks late, but the Red Sox finally pulled the fire sale on their season.
22. Kansas City Chiefs | 60-73 (30-35 Home, 30-38 Road) [+ 3]
When you have a losing record, being 5-5 in your last ten is actually somewhat of an improvement.
23. Toronto Blue Jays | 60-73 (33-32 Home, 27-41 Road) [- 2]
Have they had a tough go things? Sure, but who hasn’t. They are deservedly in the AL East cellar.
24. San Diego Padres | 62-73 (33-33 Home, 29-40 Road) [+ 2]
Winning seven out of eight games might’ve just been the highlight of an otherwise drab season.
25. Miami Marlins | 59-75 (30-35 Home, 29-40 Road) [- 1]
It’s a good thing Showtime stopped following these guys. This season has gotten pretty lousy.
26. Minnesota Twins | 55-79 (25-40 Home, 30-39 Road) [+ 2]
There’s very, very little reason to watch this ball club at this point in the season.
27. Colorado Rockies | 55-77 (30-41 Home, 25-36 Road) [+ 2]
Being 11 games under .500 both home and away, means the Rockies are equal-opportunity lousy.
28. Cleveland Indians | 56-78 (32-37 Home, 24-41 Road) [- 6]
Being the worst team since the All-Star break? That’s how you drop six spots in just two weeks.
29. Chicago Cubs | 51-82 (34-34 Home, 17-48 Road) [- 2]
Awful on the road, their week-to-week ranking seems to rely solely on the number of home games.
30. Houston Astros | 41-93 (28-40 Home, 13-53 Road) [± 0]
A month left in the season and 120 losses is still possible? This team is ridiculously bad.
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NOTE: This story was originally published on SportsHead. To read this article and others click here.
When Bryan isn’t writing, he is on Twitter! Make sure you give him a follow @bclienesch for MLB updates and other shenanigans.
