Power Rankings: The Final 20

09/12/2023 Power Rankings: The Final 20

By: Jeff Yoder

MLB Power Rankings With 20 Games to Play: Braves Clinch, Matt Olson Hits 50th HR, Blue Jays-Rangers in Crucial AL Wild Card Series

In the midst of a busy early-September stretch, our MLB coverage has taken a backseat. October is coming fast, and the playoff field is getting clearer. As of today (Sept. 12), there are roughly 20 games left in the regular season. The Braves are the first (and only) team to clinch, and Matt Olson is the first batter to 50 home runs. They’re safely into October. Everyone else? It’s crunch time. The Orioles and Rays are inching closer to clinching day, and the Blue Jays and Rangers are in a critical series that could decide the AL Wild Card. The Marlins are also ticking back up in the NL race. Here’s how we see ‘em with three weeks of baseball left until October.

 

MLB Power Rankings

1. Braves (94-50) | —

2. Orioles (91-52) | ↑1

3. Dodgers (87-56) | ↓1

4. Rays (89-56) | —

5. Astros (82-63) | ↑1

6. Blue Jays (80-64) | ↑5

7. Brewers (80-63) | ↑1

8. Mariners (79-65) | ↓3

9. Phillies (79-65) | ↓2

10. Rangers (79-64) | ↓1

 

Teams 11-20

11. Cubs (78-67) | ↓1

12. Twins (75-69) | ↑1

13. Diamondbacks (76-69) | ↑1

14. Marlins (74-70) | ↑4

15. Reds (74-71) | —

16. Giants (74-70) | ↓4

17. Yankees (71-72) | ↑2

18. Red Sox (73-70) | ↓1

19. Guardians (68-77) | ↓2

20. Tigers (66-77) | ↑4

 

Teams 21-30

21. Pirates (66-78) | ↑3

22. Angels (68-77) | ↓1

23. Padres (68-77) | ↓1

24. Mets (65-78) | ↓1

25. Nationals (65-79) | ↓5

26. Cardinals (63-81) | —

27. White Sox (55-88) | —

28. Rockies (51-92) | —

29. Royals (44-100) | —

30. Athletics (45-99) | —

 

Home Run Race

1. Matt Olson (ATL): 50 HRs

2. Shohei Ohtani (LAA): 44 HRs

T3. Pete Alonso (NYM): 43 HRs

T3. Kyle Schwarber (PHI): 43 HRs

5. Mookie Betts (LAD): 39 HRs

 

MLB Playoff Picture

(Tuesday, Sept. 12)

 

American League

DIV: Orioles (East), Astros (West), Twins (Central)

WC: Rays (WC1), Blue Jays (WC2), Rangers (WC3)

OUT: Mariners (0.5 GB), Red Sox (6.0 GB), Yankees (8.0 GB)

 

National League

DIV: Braves (East), Dodgers (West), Brewers (Central)

WC: Phillies (WC1), Cubs (WC2), Diamondbacks (WC3)
OUT: Marlins (1.5 GB), Giants (1.5 GB), Reds (2.0 GB)

 

MLB Quick-Hitters

Braves’ Matt Olson Belts 50th Homer, 1 Shy of Franchise Record

Orioles’ Cedric Mullins Bashes Grand Slam in 11-5 Win Over Cards

Rangers Roll Blue Jays (10-4) in Critical Series-Opener for AL Wild Card

 

Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images