With only two months left in the MLB regular season, it’s time to shift focus. Instead of ranking all 30 teams, many of which traded away key players at the deadline and are now rebuilding for 2025, attention should turn to those still in the playoff hunt.
Some teams like the Mariners, Padres, and Phillies have gained momentum by acquiring crucial players for their September pushes. Others, such as the Yankees and Mets, are hoping to reap the benefits of their deadline deals. Meanwhile, teams like the Brewers and Red Sox thrive despite not making significant deadline moves.
As we monitor playoff races, the traditional weekly power rankings have evolved into competitive rankings, spotlighting only teams within five games of a playoff spot.
The Nationals, despite a challenging run differential and recent victory over the Giants, struggled as the Giants have lost most of their post-deadline games. The Royals’ recent series loss to the Twins suggests staying competitive will be tough, but teams like the Nationals and White Sox still have chances to bounce back.
Even after selling bullpen assets, the Cardinals remain competitive, buoyed by recent series wins. Conversely, some teams like the Phillies, after a hot start post-break, have cooled off with recent losses.
The Reds hover around .500 but remain intriguing in the NL wildcard race, thanks to their strong pitching rotation set to improve further. The Yankees’ bullpen woes continue, and their offensive struggles persist, though they remain in a playoff position.
The Mets’ decline after a winning streak is stark, with both offense and pitching underperforming. The Guardians have defied expectations by performing well despite roster turbulence, climbing into wildcard contention.
Carlos Correa’s trade has revitalized the Astros, while the Mariners’ recent surge, highlighted by Cal Raleigh’s clutch homers, positions them near the top of the AL wildcard standings. The Red Sox maintain their strong run, driven by key veterans, while the Tigers have cooled off but still hold a division lead.
The Padres have thrived without major contributions from stars Tatis Jr. and Machado, showing postseason promise. The Cubs face offensive struggles, and the Blue Jays have experienced highs and lows but currently lead their division.
The ’ rotation and lineup improvements have kept them afloat despite bullpen issues. Similarly, the Phillies’ late-game closer Duran has been vital, though Zach Wheeler’s injury is a concern.
The Brewers have dominated since an early season slump, setting themselves apart as clear contenders.
Fan Take: This update highlights the shifting playoff landscape, emphasizing how timely trades and late-season surges or struggles define postseason hopes. Baseball fans should watch closely as these next two months will showcase which teams have the resilience and depth to contend, shaping an exciting finish to the season.
