MLB Power Rankings: Wild Card races tightening

By Sean Sears | Sep 19, 2019

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 14: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs is congratulated by Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs following his two run home run during the fourth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on September 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO – SEPTEMBER 11: Eloy Jimenez #74 of the Chicago White Sox rounds second base after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals on September 11, 2019 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

22. Chicago White Sox, 66-86, 3rd in the AL Central (ranked 22nd last week)

Winning just three of their last seven games, the White Sox will try to avoid a sweep with the Twins before heading to Detriot this weekend. The South-Siders officially shut down ace Lucas Giolito for the season after a mild lat strain, which means Chicago’s rotation may look ugly the rest of the season.

But they’re getting some offense from rookie OF Eloy Jimenez, who won player of the week after hitting .393 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and a 1.237 OPS last week. Shortstop Tim Anderson is still leading the AL in batting average .332 on the season, but the end of 2019 can’t come soon enough for White Sox fans. They’re ready for the future.

21. Los Angeles Angels, 69-83, 4th in the AL West (ranked 19th last week)

Mike Trout was shut down for the remainder of the season earlier this week to undergo surgery on his toe to remove a neuroma. That means Trout won’t be able to chase after the home run title this season, but missing the final two weeks shouldn’t stop him from winning AL MVP honors.

The Angels are 3-7 in their last 10 games and with Trout done for the year, there isn’t much for Angels fans to cheer for at the moment. Shohei Ohtani has thrived strictly as a DH this season with 18 HRs and a .848 OPS, but fans are waiting to see if the 24-year-old can get back to the dominating the mound. Los Angeles desperately needs Ohtani in the rotation for 2020 if they want to get back to the postseason.

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