MLB Power Rankings: Astros, Dodgers clinch as Padres, Phillies flinch
By Tim Boyle
15) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a lot of fun this year. However, it’s hard to rank them much higher right now. The reason is they only have one path to the postseason. It involves the wild card.
Baseball fans hoping for a miracle Orioles story this season will be left disappointed. Baltimore delivered a “too little, too late” performance. The arrow is pointing up, though. Watch for the fun of this year’s team to turn into success in 2023.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are barely hanging on. Practically out of the wild card race yet competitors for the American League Central, this is a ball club that has the veterans and young stars capable of making a late push to capture the division title.
Elvis Andrus has been terrific since joining them and is already among the team leaders in WAR. Along with Johnny Cueto, the name of the game for this year’s White Sox team is to give guys a chance. If they can sneak into the postseason, the White Sox could be a capable spoiler thanks to their pitching staff led by Dylan Cease.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers
Also just outside of the playoff picture, we have the Milwaukee Brewers. They are in a different position than the White Sox. Their only path is through a wild card berth. They already lost their chance at the National League Central title. They blew it!
The Brewers will need a mix of their own success and one of the next two teams on this list to collapse. It’s not impossible. It just might all be for nothing as the Brewers’ downward trend for the last several weeks definitely suggests they wouldn’t go far in the postseason.
12) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres should definitely be better than their record says. Who do we blame? Their trade deadline acquisitions haven’t exactly lifted the offense nearly enough. Even the once talented pitching staff has shown its faults.
The Padres are a team that might still cause trouble in the postseason against any team. Shorten the rotation, put the bats in pressure situations, and maybe they can execute more regularly. Before we get there, they need to clinch. The Brewers are right behind them.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
Barely ahead of the Padres in this week’s MLB Power Rankings are the Philadelphia Phillies. Another team with some great players but not so wonderful results, they have too much in common with the Padres for us to have any more faith in one over the other.
Philadelphia’s bullpen woes have continued and appeared a little frequently for the liking of fans. Their offense, while capable at times, isn’t as frightening as it can be. When they aren’t hitting home runs, the Phillies can go away silently. It’s an advantage when things go well. It’s a huge weakness when they don’t.