How MLB teams stack up heading into final 2 weeks of season
The 22-game winning streak may be over. But the Cleveland Indians captured their second straight AL Central title and claimed the No. 1 spot in our baseball power rankings for the second consecutive week.
With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Indians hold a two-game lead over the Houston Astros for home-field advantage in the American League.
Meanwhile, it appears the Los Angeles Dodgers righted the ship, winning two of three against the Washington Nationals in what could be a preview of the NL Championship.
From 1 to 30, how they rank heading into final two weeks: (Team, Movement)
1. Cleveland Indians: –
Streak may be over, but Tribe can still reach 100 wins for the second time since 1954.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers: –
Now, on to the hard questions, like: Who pitches in October?
3. Houston Astros: +1
Division in hand, top task now: Avoid Chris Sale in a best-of-5.
4. Washington Nationals: -1
Bryce Harper would mean so much to the offense.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks: –
J.D. Martinez can’t stop hitting homers.
6. Boston Red Sox: –
The last time David Price was a reliever, Rays went to World Series.
7. Chicago Cubs: +1
About to get Addison Russell back.
8. New York Yankees: -1
Aaron Judge: Still good.
9. Colorado Rockies: –
Who says a leadoff hitter, Charlie Blackmon, can’t drive in 100 runs?
10. Minnesota Twins: +1
Byron Buxton: Best second half since Patriots trailed 28-3.
11. Milwaukee Brewers: -1
Going to get one more shot at the Cubs.
12. Los Angeles Angels: +1
Can patchwork pitching staff limp into playoffs?
13. St. Louis Cardinals: -1
Only question now is how significant off-season shakeup will be.
14. Seattle Mariners: +3
Starting pitchers averaging just 51/3 innings per outing.
15. Texas Rangers: –
Joey Gallo is going to hit 40 home runs, just as everyone envisioned.
16. Kansas City Royals: –
Eric Hosmer taking a career-best .389 OBP, .897 OPS into free agency.
17. Tampa Bay Rays: +1
Alex Cobb will be rare Rays pillar who makes it to free agency without getting traded.
18. Baltimore Orioles: -4
2-8 road trip doomed wild card hopes.
19. Toronto Blue Jays: +2
Three straight 30-homer seasons for Josh Donaldson.
20. Miami Marlins: +1
Giancarlo Stanton on pace for 59 homers; can he make it 60?
21. Pittsburgh Pirates: -1
17-28 since August 1. Off-season re-tooling ahead?
22. Atlanta Braves: –
Averaging 30,000 per game at new stadium; drew 25,000 a night at Turner Field.
23. Oakland Athletics: +2
Now the Moneyball A’s don’t even have AL consecutive wins record.
24. San Diego Padres: -1
Raise your hand if you thought patchwork rotation would have better ERA (4.75) than Mets (5.13).
25. New York Mets: -1
Should Noah Syndergaard bother returning this season?
26. Cincinnati Reds: –
No. 2 overall pick Hunter Greene says pitching is “primary focus,” not shortstop.
27. Detroit Tigers: –
Matt Boyd’s near no-hitter bright spot in dreary September.
28. Chicago White Sox: –
Hey, manager Rick Renteria leads the majors in ejections (7).
29. Philadelphia Phillies: +1
Rhys Hoskins or Carson Wentz?
30. San Francisco Giants: -1
Will finish season as only team without a 20-home run hitter.