MLB Power Rankings: Astros, Dodgers clinch as Padres, Phillies flinch

5) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees get awarded the No. 5 spot this week because they’ve stabilized themselves. There is plenty to worry about being able to manage through all of their recent injuries should give fans some hope.

They have a home run chase of their own to watch. As Aaron Judge looks to hit 61+ and overtake the number Roger Maris hit way back in 1961, the team will also hope those home runs come late and with runners on base. Hopefully, the first-round bye doesn’t become the excuse for the team when the bats get cold when the ALDS begins. It already feels like it will.

4) MLB Power Rankings: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves tried so hard and got so close. In the end, it may not even matter. They held onto the National League East title only briefly a few weeks ago. Despite constant winning and keeping pace with their greatest nemesis this year, this might end up being a World Series favorite that has to go through every round.

It doesn’t seem like much will slow the Braves down. Since their early summer surge, they’ve been playing the best brand of baseball possible. This is a team that has even gotten veteran Charlie Morton to start producing. Watch out! Settling for a wild card spot might just make them angrier.

3) MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets

It’s the New York Mets who will make the Braves play an extra two or three games. The leaders in the division, they aren’t ready to hand it over to anyone let alone the reigning champions.

The Mets have had some ups and downs over the last week yet so have the Braves. It was inevitable that both teams would start losing a few extra games. However, both remain strong. The Mets will have Max Scherzer back soon, too, which will only motivate them more to pull away and secure the division before their next meeting with the Braves.

2) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros

Can anyone in the American League stop the Houston Astros? All of the wild card contenders and division leaders headed to the playoffs feel like they’re in a tier below Houston. While Yankees fans might be whining that the bye would slow down momentum, it feels like the Astros would welcome it as a time to relax.

We can probably already punch this team’s ticket to the World Series. It’s going to take a big slingshot to slay this MLB Goliath. With the postseason already clinched, all they need now is to keep playing their brand of winning baseball.

1) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Dodgers

The first team in the National League to clinch their playoff spot, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back at number one in the MLB Power Rankings. They may not have a bulletproof roster. Parts of their lineup do get empty at times and when too many members of the pitching staff are hurt, they lose a part of their invincibility.

The Dodgers always get a slight edge over everyone simply because of how familiar they are with the playoffs. The last time they didn’t make it to the playoffs was 2012. Even if the names and faces have changed, the organization has a formula no one can argue against.