Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Wild Card races tightening

By Sean Sears

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)
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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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 17: Mike Yastrzemski #5 of the San Francisco Giants warms up in left field during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 17, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 17: Mike Yastrzemski #5 of the San Francisco Giants warms up in left field during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 17, 2019 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

18. San Francisco Giants, 74-78, 3rd in the NL West (ranked 18th last week)

The Giants are still technically in the postseason picture for the final NL Wild Card spot but sitting nine games back from the Cubs, it’s a long shot. San Francisco likely should have sold at the deadline but good for them for just going for it — not many teams will these days.

Plus, the Giants can still move someone like Madison Bumgarner in the off-season and still get close to the same value. Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski has been a fun story as well, hitting 19 home runs with a .833 OPS on the season, nailing one at Fenway Park Tuesday night with his grandfather the great Carl Yastrzemski in attendance.

17. Texas Rangers, 74-79, 3rd in the AL West (ranked 17th last week)

The Rangers are going through a tough final stretch of games to end the season. Getting swept by the Athletics this past weekend, they’re currently finishing a two-game series with the Astros, and they end the year playing the Red Sox and Yankees.

In a lost season, one name to keep an eye on is Nick Solak, an infielder with great on-base skills and a bat that’s developing. Solak and his .433 OBP in 25 games is exactly what the Rangers are missing in their lineup, with plenty of power and strikeouts, having a guy like Solak could add a nice bump in runs for the Rangers next season.

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