MLB Power Rankings: Wild Card races tightening

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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 17: Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and Cleveland Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado (35) celebrate following the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on September 17, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

8. Cleveland Indians, 89-63, 2nd in the AL Central (ranked 8th last week)

The Indians are now a half-game back of the Rays for the final AL Wild Card spot, and with the Twins now leading the AL Central by five games, the Indians need to grab the Wild Card to get into the postseason. They’ve been hot, winning seven of their last 10 games, but the schedule will get tough late facing the Phillies and Nationals in the final week of games.

Strangely, despite the recent success, the Indians haven’t done a great job on the mound with a 4.15 team ERA during their last 10 games. The offense hasn’t been dominant, but they’ve hit enough to win games over some subpar teams. Every game is a must-win game for the Indians, especially with the Rays and Twins playing great baseball right now.

7. Tampa Bay Rays, 90-63, 2nd in the AL East (ranked 6th last week)

The Rays are clinging to a half-game over the Indians for the final Wild Card spot and are coming off a series split with the Dodgers earlier this week. They’ll finish the season facing the Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays, and with the division all but settled, the Rays will have to win the majority of those games to firmly grasp the final AL Wild Card.

But with the Rays rotation finally healthy and the offense clicking behind DH Austin Meadows, Tampa Bay is rounding into a formidable AL opponent in the Wild Card. And any team with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow has a chance to steal a series.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 17: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins slides safely into home plate as teammate Nelson Cruz #23 and umpire Lance Barrett #94 look on during the twelfth inning of the game at Target Field on September 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 9-8 in twelve innings. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

6. Minnesota Twins, 93-59, 1st in the AL Central (ranked 5th last week)

The Twins should have no problem wrapping up the AL Central title after taking two of three from the White Sox earlier this week. They’ll finish the season playing the Royals twice and the Tigers, giving them some easy games to hopefully polish off the Indians, celebrate their first division title since 2010 and be able to rest some of their key players.

5. Oakland Athletics, 92-61, 2nd in the AL West (ranked 7th last week)

The A’s now own a two-game lead for the top Wild Card spot after winning eight of their last 10 games, and they’ll finish the season facing the Rangers, Angels and Mariners. But the A’s won’t get a real chance to rest before the season with the Rays and Indians still within striking distance.

Oakland is hoping Matt Chapman can bust out of his September slump, batting a lowly .104 this month with only six hits so far, but the pitching trio of Sean Manaea, AJ Puk and Jesus Luzardo have all had excellent debuts to the season. The depth Oakland has quietly added to their roster makes them a real contender in the AL this fall.

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