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With just under four weeks remaining in the regular season, these rankings should begin to reflect the postseason picture. But there are still races to be decided, namely the National League West and both National League Wild Card spots.
The Brewers have jumped back to the top of the heap in that NL Wild Card race and are the biggest risers in this week’s Rotoworld MLB Power Rankings. The Mariners fell the furthest this week, as their hope of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2001 has rapidly dwindled.
1. Boston Red Sox
Record: 95-44
Last Week: 1
Boston has won five of its last seven games, including an 8-2 victory over the Braves on Labor Day in which Ian Kinsler drove in three runs on a single and a double. The veteran second baseman is batting .308/.348/.415 in 69 plate appearances since the Red Sox acquired him from the Angels on July 30. Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez look poised to get a large share of the votes for American League MVP and Chris Sale still has a decent shot at the American League Cy Young Award despite a shoulder injury that has limited him to one start since July 27. The left-hander is on track to return from the disabled list this weekend against the Astros, and David Price (wrist) is due to make his next start in Friday’s series opener versus Houston.
2. Houston Astros
Record: 85-53
Last Week: 3
Houston split a four-game weekend series with the Angels before beating the Twins 4-1 on Monday afternoon at Minute Maid Park. Alex Bregman homered for the third straight game in that one and is now batting .292/.393/.542 with 28 home runs, 43 doubles, 89 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 93 runs scored in 135 games this season. The 24-year-old third baseman might be the most valuable player on Houston’s loaded roster in 2018, and he’s poised to continue putting up big numbers down the stretch and into the postseason. Bregman had four home runs, 10 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 18 postseason games last year at age 23 as the Astros marched to the first World Series championship in franchise history.
3. New York Yankees
Record: 86-52
Last Week: 2
The Yankees have lost four of their last six games, with the dream of catching the Red Sox at the top of the American League East standings fading from view. Aaron Judge has been out since July 26 with a chip fracture in his right wrist and he just resumed swinging a bat on Monday. It’s a safe bet that he’s at least two weeks away from returning to live games. That lingering injury prompted the Yankees to go out and get veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the Giants at the August 31 waiver trade deadline, but he is 1-for-11 so far in pinstripes and a shadow of the player who won National League MVP honors back in 2013. The Yankees are also still without Aroldis Chapman, who landed on the disabled list August 22 with tendinitis in his left knee.
4. Oakland Athletics
Record: 83-56
Last Week: 4
Oakland took two of three from the Mariners over the weekend and then scored a huge 6-3 victory over the Yankees on Monday to gain a little more ground in the American League Wild Card standings. Entering play on Tuesday, the A’s are 3 1/2 games back of New York for the top Wild Card spot and a whopping 5 1/2 games up on Seattle for the second Wild Card. It’s going to be tough to continue this run with Sean Manaea possibly done for the year due to left rotator cuff tendinitis, and Brett Anderson out at least another week or so with a left forearm strain. But there’s some magic to this team, and some real studs among the position player group. Matt Chapman ranks sixth in the majors in FanGraphs’ version of WAR.
5. Chicago Cubs
Record: 81-56
Last Week: 5
Chicago is 3-3 over its last six games, including a 4-3 loss to the Brewers on Monday afternoon at Miller Park. But the Cubs hold a four-game lead on the top spot in the National League Central standings and appear headed for their third straight division title. They haven’t finished in first place in three consecutive years since 1906-1908. Javier Baez continues to make a case for National League MVP honors, boasting a .908 OPS with 30 home runs, 100 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 86 runs scored through 134 games played. Cole Hamels looks like one of the best trade acquisitions of the year, with a 1.00 ERA in seven starts (45 innings) since the Cubs acquired him from the Rangers on July 27.
6. Cleveland Indians
Record: 77-60
Last Week: 6
Cleveland made the biggest headline-grabbing move at the August 31 waiver trade deadline, acquiring star third baseman Josh Donaldson from the Blue Jays for a player to be named later. Donaldson has appeared in just 36 games this season at the major league level and he’s been out since late May with a left calf injury, but the 32-year-old was among the best players in baseball from 2015-2017 and he slugged a grand slam in his first minor league rehab game with Triple-A Columbus on Monday. Once he’s ready for big league action, the Indians can shift MVP candidate Jose Ramirez to second base and move Jason Kipnis back to the outfield. It’s a deal that should pay dividends down the stretch for the ALDS-bound Tribe.
7. Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 78-61
Last Week: 11
Milwaukee went 13-13 in August, but the Brew Crew righted the ship toward the end of the month and earned a big 4-3 walk-off victory over the Cubs on Monday afternoon, with Zach Davies striking out seven batters over five innings of one-run ball in his first start since May 29. Christian Yelich drove in two runs in that one, including the final run of the game. The 26-year-old outfielder, who was acquired from the Marlins in late January, is batting .315/.379/.556 with 27 home runs, 83 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 96 runs scored in 123 total games this season. And he’s been especially hot over the last two months, boasting a .358/.407/.679 slash line with 16 homers and 48 RBI in 50 games since July 8.
8. Atlanta Braves
Record: 76-61
Last Week: 8
The Braves took two of three from the Pirates over the weekend, but they lost big to the Red Sox on Monday afternoon and have now dropped four of their last six games. But this mini rut for Atlanta has coincided with a bigger rut in Philadelphia, and the Braves currently hold a four-game lead in the National League East standings entering play on Tuesday. Ronald Acuna hit his seventh leadoff home run of the year in Sunday’s 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh, tying the Braves franchise record for most leadoff home runs in a season, previously held by Marquis Grissom. Acuna, 20, boasts a .925 OPS with 23 total homers, 50 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 60 runs scored through his first 86 games at the major league level.
9. St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 76-62
Last Week: 9
St. Louis has been on a roll since firing Mike Matheny back on July 14, but this team is coming off a horrific 24-hour period. In Sunday’s series finale against the Reds, the Cardinals had the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3. They failed to score, and then Bud Norris yielded three runs on back-to-back homers in the top of the 10th. In Monday’s series opener against the Nationals, they had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the eighth and a 3-1 lead, but again failed to push a run across. Norris gave up a game-tying two-run shot to Bryce Harper in the bottom of the ninth and Washington ultimately won in the bottom of the 10th. Let’s see how new manager Mike Shildt handles his first taste of adversity.
10. Colorado Rockies
Record: 75-62
Last Week: 12
Colorado has won three straight games, including a wild 9-8 win over the Giants on Monday afternoon at Coors Field in which Trevor Story slugged two home runs and tallied five total RBI. The 25-year-old shortstop is on a four-game multi-hit streak and currently holds a .901 OPS with 28 home runs, 92 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 74 runs scored in 136 games played this season. The Rockies are a half-game up on the Dodgers for first place in the National League West standings entering play on Tuesday night. And they basically control their own destiny, as 13 of their next 19 games come against either the Dodgers or Diamondbacks. Kyle Freeland ranks seventh among National League starters in FanGraphs’ version of WAR.
11. Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 75-63
Last Week: 13
The Dodgers took three of four from the Diamondbacks over the weekend before falling 4-2 to the Mets on Monday night. Los Angeles has won eight of its last 10 to climb within a half-game of first place in the National League West standings entering play on Tuesday. Matt Kemp was the hero in two of those victories over Arizona, belting a decisive three-run homer in the eighth inning on Saturday and a walk-off two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday. The veteran outfielder has fallen off somewhat in the second half, but the Dodgers couldn’t have asked for a much better season from him. Kemp is currently sitting on an .810 OPS with 19 home runs, 22 doubles, and 74 RBI through 129 games.
12. Seattle Mariners
Record: 77-61
Last Week: 7
The Mariners are 13-17 since the beginning of August and will have a tough time digging themselves out of this hole they’ve created. Entering play on Tuesday, the M’s are eight games back of the Astros for first place in the American League West standings and 5 1/2 games behind the Athletics for the second American League Wild Card spot. They have just three more head-to-head games against both Oakland and Houston. Felix Hernandez struggled in his latest start Sunday versus the A’s, allowing four earned runs over five innings as his season ERA ballooned to 5.55, more than a run higher than his previous career-worst. The 32-year-old right-hander is owed $27.858 million in 2019.
13. Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 74-64
Last Week: 10
The Diamondbacks have lost four straight games and eight of their last 11 to fall a game-and-a-half back of first place in the National League West standings and two games behind the Cardinals in the crowded race for the second National League Wild Card spot. A lack of offense is what’s plaguing this club right now, as the Snakes haven’t scored more than three runs since beating the Mariners 5-2 on August 26. Steven Souza has been playing a little better since the All-Star break, but the 29-year-old spring trade acquisition currently owns a weak .719 OPS with four home runs and 28 RBI over 57 games this season. He put up a career-high .810 OPS, 30 home runs, and 78 RBI in 148 games with the Rays in 2017.
14. Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 74-63
Last Week: 15
The Rays took two of three from the AL Central-leading Indians over the weekend before stomping the Blue Jays 7-1 on Monday night. They are 11 games over .500 for the first time since 2013. Like it or not, the Rays’ extreme bullpenning has led to some incredible results. Tampa Bay currently ranks seven among all major league teams in combined staff ERA (3.68), and Rays pitchers have yielded the sixth-fewest runs in the bigs. Only the Astros, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, and Cubs have been better in terms of run prevention. Blake Snell should get some American League Cy Young Award votes. The 25-year-old left-hander is 17-5 with a 2.02 ERA and 177 strikeouts through 151 2/3 innings this season.
15. Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 72-65
Last Week: 14
Since sweeping a three-game set from the Marlins at the beginning of August, the Phillies are 9-17 and haven’t won a series. That includes a 3-1 loss to Miami on Monday, in which the Philadelphia offense managed just four total hits. Entering play on Tuesday, the Phils are four games back of the first-place Braves in the National League East standings and 3 1/2 games back of the Cardinals in the crowded hunt for the second National League Wild Card spot. This fade is no fault of Aaron Nola’s, as he continues to make a case for National League Cy Young Award votes. The 25-year-old right-hander is 15-4 on the season with a 2.23 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 188/49 K/BB ratio in 28 starts covering 181 2/3 innings.
16. Washington Nationals
Record: 69-69
Last Week: 16
Washington sold more parts ahead of the August 31 waiver trade deadline, shipping left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez to the Brewers for infielder Gilbert Lara and catcher KJ Harrison, and moving veteran setup man Ryan Madson to the Dodgers for relief prospect Andrew Istler. The Nationals had an opportunity to trade impending free agent superstar Bryce Harper to the Dodgers in mid-August but they decided not to, presumably to improve their chances of re-signing this offseason. Harper hit a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning Monday in the Nats’ 4-3 comeback victory over the visiting Cardinals.
17. Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 67-71
Last Week: 17
Chris Archer made it six full innings Saturday against the Braves for the first time since the Pirates acquired him from the Rays at the July 31 trade deadline. He gave up just one run on two hits and a walk while striking out five, but the Pirates ultimately lost that game and are 11-19 since the beginning of August. They’ve fallen well out of contention in the National League Wild Card race. But that hasn’t stopped Trevor Williams’ amazing second-half surge. The 26-year-old right-hander tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings in Monday’s 5-1 victory over the Reds and now has a ridiculous 0.66 ERA over his last nine starts (54 2/3 innings) dating back to July 11. Williams is under the Pirates’ control through 2022.
18. San Francisco Giants
Record: 68-71
Last Week: 18
The Giants dropped the final two games of their three-game weekend set versus the Mets and fell 9-8 to the Rockies in Monday’s series opener at Coors Field. Madison Bumgarner had his worst start of the year in that loss to Colorado, allowing seven runs -- six earned -- over just five innings as his season ballooned from 2.68 to 3.07. San Francisco made one big move at the August 31 waiver trade deadline, shipping veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees for minor league infielder Abiatal Avelino and minor league right-hander Juan De Paula. McCutchen, acquired from the Pirates in January for Kyle Crick and Bryan Reynolds, posted a .772 OPS with 15 home runs and 55 RBI over 130 games in a Giants uniform.
19. Los Angeles Angels
Record: 67-71
Last Week: 19
Shohei Ohtani made his first start since June 6 on Sunday night against the Astros and allowed two runs on two walks and two hits over just 2 1/3 innings, showing a concerning dip in velocity in the top of the third. He hadn’t pitched in a live game for three months due to a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and the out-of-contention Angels should probably think about keeping him away from a mound until next spring. Ohtani is also dealing with back stiffness and a sore finger, and it’s unclear when he might be ready to return to his part-time DH role. The 24-year-old two-way star has fared well at the plate this season, slashing .276/.357/.540 with 15 home runs and 43 RBI in 80 games -- 58 starts.
20. Minnesota Twins
Record: 63-74
Last Week: 20
The Twins have lost three straight games and eight of their last 10 to fall 11 games below the .500 mark and 14 games back of the American League Central-leading Indians. Byron Buxton was informed Saturday that he will not be recalled to the majors for the stretch run, with Twins general manager Thad Levine basically admitting to reporters that service time is one of the factors. Buxton appeared in only 28 games this season at the major league level, batting .156/.283/.200 with 28 strikeouts in 90 at-bats. He battled nagging toe and wrist injuries, and will try to wipe the slate clean heading into spring training in 2019. The 24-year-old outfielder ranked as the top prospect in all of baseball just a few years ago.
21. New York Mets
Record: 62-75
Last Week: 23
The Mets have won three straight games behind three excellent pitching performances. Steven Matz racked up a career-high 11 strikeouts over seven innings of one-run, three-hit ball in a 2-1 win over the Giants on Saturday. Noah Syndergaard matched Matz’s strikeout total in his first career complete game Sunday versus San Francisco, allowing just one run on two hits and one walk over nine dominant frames as part of a 4-1 victory. And then in Monday’s series opener against the Dodgers, ace right-hander Jacob deGrom continued to build his case for the 2018 National League Cy Young Award, allowing only run over six innings in the Mets’ 4-2 win, with his season ERA sticking at 1.68.
22. Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 62-75
Last Week: 21
The waiver trade deadline brought the end of an era in Toronto, as star third baseman Josh Donaldson was dealt to the Indians for a player to be named later. Donaldson spent parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays, posting a .931 OPS with 116 home runs in 462 games. Marcus Stroman struggled in his first start back from the disabled list on Monday, allowing four runs on six hits over just 1 2/3 innings in a loss to the Rays. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons acknowledged after the game that the 27-year-old right-hander is still bothered by a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand. It’s been a lost season for Stroman, who stands 4-9 with a 5.54 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 77/36 K/BB ratio in 102 1/3 innings.
23. Texas Rangers
Record: 60-78
Last Week: 22
The Rangers have lost six of their last eight games and are currently 18 games under .500 with a -65 run differential. They had an opportunity to trade veteran third baseman Adrian Beltre ahead the August 31 revocable waiver deadline, with the Dodgers reportedly showing interest, but Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said it was a mutual agreement between the front office and Beltre himself that he would not be moved. Beltre, who’s said to be considering retirement at the conclusion of the 2018 season, had full no-trade protection. Texas did ship veteran reliever Cory Gearrin to the Athletics on August 31, getting minor league right-handers Abdiel Mendoza and Teodoro Ortega in return.
24. Cincinnati Reds
Record: 59-79
Last Week: 24
The Reds took two of three from the Cardinals over the weekend before falling 5-1 to the Pirates on Monday afternoon. They are 11-20 since the beginning of August, after going 28-22 between June and July. But let’s dish out some love here for Eugenio Suarez, who belted a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning Saturday in St. Louis. It was his 31st home run of the season and lifted his RBI total to 100. The 27-year-old third baseman signed a seven-year, $66 million contract extension with Cincinnati during spring training, and that’s looking like a very team-friendly deal so far. Suarez missed time in April with a fractured right thumb but currently ranks tied for first in the National League in runs batted in.
25. Detroit Tigers
Record: 55-83
Last Week: 25
Detroit is 14-26 since the All-Star break, and it’s not like the front office traded a ton of players away. Michael Fulmer, who drew some interest over the winter, holds a disappointing 4.57 ERA in 126 innings and left his last start Monday against the White Sox after getting struck on the right shin by a comebacker. Jose Iglesias, who was a candidate to be dealt at the August 31 waiver trade deadline, landed on the disabled list August 30 with a lower abdominal strain. The 28-year-old shortstop is due to become a free agent in November. It’s a bit surprising the Tigers didn’t find a taker for Francisco Liriano, who has ugly overall numbers but has held left-handed batters to a stingy .146/.239/.232 slash line.
26. Miami Marlins
Record: 55-83
Last Week: 26
The Marlins played the role of spoiler against the Phillies on Monday afternoon as Jose Urena delivered seven innings of one-run ball as part of a 3-1 victory. Miami is now 6-8 against Philadelphia this season, and 5-14 against the National League East-leading Braves. The reemergence of Lewis Brinson is a big positive for the Fish as they look ahead to 2019 and beyond. The young outfielder, acquired from the Brewers in January as part of the Christian Yelich trade, is 5-for-11 since being added back to the active roster on September 1. He batted just .186/.232/.338 over his first 311 plate appearances this season before landing on the disabled list July 4 with right hip inflammation.
27. Chicago White Sox
Record: 56-82
Last Week: 27
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn made the disappointing announcement Monday that top outfield prospect Eloy Jimenez would not be called up to the major leagues in September. Hahn told reporters that Jimenez still has things to work on, but this is obviously about stunting his service time. The ultra-talented 21-year-old batted .355/.399/.597 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI in 55 games at Triple-A Charlotte, after batting .317/.368/.556 with 10 homers and 42 RBI in 53 games at Double-A Birmingham. The baseball world has gotten its first taste of top pitching prospect Michael Kopech, who’s allowed just one run alongside a 9/1 K/BB ratio through his first 11 innings at the major league level.
28. San Diego Padres
Record: 55-85
Last Week: 28
The Padres have won five of their last seven games, including a 6-2 victory over the Diamondbacks on Monday in which Franmil Reyes socked two home runs and totaled four RBI. Reyes has some flaws, but the big 23-year-old outfielder has been on roll lately and currently owns an .859 OPS with 15 home runs through his first 65 major league games. He’s also struck out 61 times. We’ve gotten our first look at 21-year-old top infield prospect Luis Urias, who was promoted from Triple-A El Paso last Tuesday. He laced three hits in his second major league game last Wednesday and slugged his first big-league homer last Friday. The future is bright in San Diego. Baseball America recently ranked the Padres’ farm system No. 1 overall.
29. Kansas City Royals
Record: 46-91
Last Week: 29
Believe it or not, the Royals have the longest active winning streak in the majors at the moment. They’ve rattled off six straight victories and won eight of their last nine. Before this stretch, Kansas City was the only team in the majors without a winning streak of at least four games. Ryan O’Hearn slugged a pair of home runs in Monday’s surprising 5-1 victory over the Indians and now holds a .987 OPS with nine home runs and 22 RBI through his first 24 big league games. The 25-year-old first baseman had a .713 OPS and just 11 home runs in 100 games this season at Triple-A Omaha. Jake Junis started Monday’s game and retired 21 of the 23 batters he faced over seven scoreless frames.
30. Baltimore Orioles
Record: 40-98
Last Week: 30
The Orioles have lost four straight games and 12 of their last 15 to essentially lock up the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Alex Cobb had been pitching well for much of August before allowing five earned runs over 5 2/3 innings last Wednesday against the Blue Jays. Baltimore’s front office will be hoping the 30-year-old right-hander can finish strong so that he might have some trade value this offseason. Cobb is still owed more than $43 million on a contract that runs through the 2021 season. Thursday will mark the 23rd anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr. breaking Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played at 2,131. Ripken ultimately got to 2,632 games before finally taking a seat. It’s safe to say that mark will never be surpassed.
