MLB Power Rankings: Phillies are out of their cage, Blue Jays doing just fine
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Kansas City Royals
The No. 25 spot on the MLB Power Rankings is always difficult to pick because whoever gets that one is usually about as bad of a ball club as the ones behind them. The winner this week is the Kansas City Royals. They were the first among these bottom teams to reach 50 wins. They limped there, of course. At least it’s some sort of a victory.
The Royals are not a fun baseball team this year. As low as expectations were, there isn’t much to look forward to. The return of Zack Greinke ended up as a footnote on a forgettable season. Just like some of these other smaller market teams, one has to question if things will ever improve.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
There was a time in 2022 when the Los Angeles Angels were a top-10 ball club. No, really. They weren’t always so far behind everyone else. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?
The losing streak that got Joe Maddon fired was more than enough to keep the Angels from ever getting back into the playoff picture. Only because they were winning ball games at one point do they remain ahead of the teams behind them in the MLB Power Rankings. By the end of the year, we could see them fall behind.
23) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are predictable. Their pitching stinks and the hitting isn’t nearly as good enough to make up for it. This unusual National League ball club faded quickly this year and could see themselves getting passed in the MLB Power Rankings by a couple of the other scrubs in the league.
The Rockies’ issue could be the ballpark they play in. An above .500 team at Coors Field, they have been one of the league’s worst on the road all year. Is it psychological? Is the team any built for success with the offense? Whatever it is, you aren’t going to win when you struggle in the road greys as much as they do.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
What good is having Sandy Alcantara on your roster when you can’t do much else other than enjoy his pitching performances? The Miami Marlins are at a strange point in their franchise’s history where they might be nearing a competitive stretch or they could see many of their notable prospects fizzle out.
The difference between these two paths could be how they tackle free agency and trades for veterans. The team missed in huge ways last winter. Unless they get a little luckier in the coming offseason, they might just want to hold off and build with the kids.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
Maybe one of the biggest post-trade deadline surprise performances comes from the Chicago Cubs. It could be because they didn’t sell all of their parts. Whatever it is, the team has played decently enough in the last few weeks.
Although there’s no magical run for the Cubs to make this year, at least they are giving the fans a couple of wins. This is a team with a recent history of success with a quick downturn that began in 2021. It’s up to the young players and the front office to make sure the “lovable loser” Cubs don’t return.