As we approach the home stretch, some teams are vying for playoff position, some are cruising to October, and some are already out of contention. September is always a drama-filled month in baseball, and I cannot wait to see how it pans out. Below are the power rankings for how the league sits today:
30) Colorado Rockies
Record: 38-94
The Rockies sit 15 games behind the next-lowest team in the National League, and things are unlikely to change for the remainder of 2025. They brought in a Warren Schaeffer to manage after a dreadful 7-33 record in their first 40 games of the year, under Bud Black, and have been playing harder since. It was always clear that this year would be tough for them, but they have shown flashes of what some of their players are capable of, indicating potential as building blocks for the future.
29) Chicago White Sox
Record: 48-84
Believe it or not, this year marks a decent improvement for the White Sox from last year. They have already won more games than the 41 games they won in 2024, with 30 remaining. There is also a lot of excitement about the arrival of top prospect Colson Montgomery and his 10 home runs through his first 35 games.
28) Washington Nationals
Record: 53-79
While the offense is near league average, the pitching has been a huge problem this season. The Nationals are currently allowing 5.5 runs per game, the second-highest total in the Majors, only trailing the Rockies. This team has a ton of potential, but they need to figure out their pitching to take their next step.
27) Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 58-75
The Pirates have the worst offense in baseball, and I truly believe that if the owners were to decide to invest in their product, it would be for 2026, with the potential for a rotation featuring Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller, Thomas Harrington, and Bubba Chandler. In my opinion, this team has meteoric upside, but they need a little help from the front office.
26) Atlanta Braves
Record: 60-72
It has been an extremely disappointing season for Braves fans, as the team has performed at a league-average level across the board. They have stars Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies on team-friendly contracts for a while, so I think they will try to retool rather than rebuild to make a big jump next season.
25) Baltimore Orioles
Record: 60-72
This was the make-or-break year for the Orioles’ supporting cast around their young core, and they fell off badly. With a 17-16 record against the East, they may try to make a big splash this offseason to bolster their pitching and support an offense that has been good enough, but not great. The first move was replacing manager Brandon Hyde, which they did in May.
24) Minnesota Twins
Record: 60-72
The Twins’ activity at the deadline showed that they are aware of their current standing and want to acquire assets for some players who aren’t part of the planned soft rebuild. With Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan still in-house, I expect them to at least try to be competitive next year.
23) San Francisco Giants
Record: 64-68
What was once a promising season for the Giants has spiraled over the last 30 games, as they have become the worst team in the Majors over that time. After bringing Rafael Devers in, look for them to try to build around him and get closer to the playoffs next season.
22) Athletics
Record: 62-72
The offense has been good, and the pitching has been promising outside of their current home park, the launchpad. With the trade of Mason Miller to San Diego for Leo De Vries, among other moves, it is clear that the A’s are a team to be excited about, especially with their new stadium set to open in 2027.
21) Miami Marlins
Record: 62-70
This team is performing well above expectations, with former Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara in the worst form of his career. They traded away Jesus Sanchez, but I still think they have a reason to be excited about what this team they are running out is giving them, both in terms of performance and effort level.
20) Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 64-68
The Rays are another team that went from seeming like a playoff lock to knocking on the door of the playoffs just 30 games later. They have good offensive and pitching averages, but they are just not getting the job done right now. After five straight appearances, they are in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
19) Los Angeles Angels
Record: 62-70
I personally find the Angels to be a fun team to watch. The offense is average, but the top players consistently perform and put up good numbers. The pitching is a problem once again, but to me, they are just a true ace and a prospect or two coming up away from fixing this issue, they really are fighting in every game. The problem is getting them in-house.
18) St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 65-68
The Cardinals are an average team that does the little things well, but will never be overly impressive over the long term. They traded long-time closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets, which won’t help them climb up into a playoff position, but their continued middling play now has them 6.5 games behind for a wild card and appears that they will be on the outside looking in.
17) Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 64-69
The Diamondbacks traded away Merrill Kelly and Eugenio Suarez, and I don’t think that necessarily means they will fall out of the picture. They have a lethal offense, and the pitching staff has been affected by some injuries in the bullpen. However, the team’s overall performance has been below-average, and they will need to get very hot to make the playoffs. Certain games, it feels like they have a magic on offense that allows them to get rolling like no other for a single inning. While they have had a tough go of things lately, they continue to fight and do the best that they can.
16) Texas Rangers
Record: 67-67
The Texas Rangers sit 4.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot and are looking for the pitching to carry them back to the playoffs. The offense has shown flashes, but is struggling in key moments with runners on base to execute on offense. If they get in, look for it with the veteran know-how of Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia to get hot, which will be why.
15)Â Cleveland Guardians
Record: 65-66
While the scandal looms, they have been playing some good baseball. I do expect Emman Clase to bite them eventually, and while they are just 1.5 games back in the Wild Card, I don’t think the offense is built to carry the load right now. It’s well below average in runs per game.
14) Kansas City Royals
Record: 68-65
The Kansas City Royals are currently on the outside looking in on a playoff spot, but I fully expected them to overcome Cleveland with their scandal, which they did, and now they need some help to get in. It will be about them playing quality baseball down the stretch, and one of New York, Boston, Seattle, or Houston faltering as the season winds down.
13) Cincinnati Reds
Record: 68-65
The Reds are getting hot at the right time, and their play over the last two weeks is what made them jump the Mets for me. Hunter Greene looks healthy and ready to make some noise, and the Reds have played well against good teams this season. Look for the Reds to not go down without a fight, even if they do end up missing out.
12) New York Mets
Record: 71-61
Even with trading for some reinforcements, the Mets’ pitching continues to be a huge problem in the biggest moments. With ceding the top spot to the rival Phillies, the fans are getting restless, but they are 7-3 in their last ten, and appear to have the upper hand on hanging on to that final playoff spot.
11) New York Yankees
Record: 72-60
For Yankees fans, the fact that they are still in a playoff spot seems like a miracle after all that has gone wrong. They have been okay over the last month, but they need Aaron Judge to get hot again and carry them to the promised land.
10) Boston Red Sox
Record: 73-60
With almost identical averages to the Yankees, the Red Sox have overtaken them in their recent run of play. The American League playoff race looks incredible to watch, and to the surprise of some, the Red Sox are a top-ten team as it stands today.
9) Houston Astros
Record: 72-60
The Astros seem always to find a way lately, and while their current run of play makes it feel like they could fall out of the picture, Seattle can’t be trusted to close out the division until it is officially clinched. Bringing Carlos Correa back is nostalgic for fans, but can he carry them again?
8) Seattle Mariners
Record: 71-62
The Mariners look really good, and they are my dark horse pick to win it all. They have an elite pitching staff, a career year from the newly extended Cal Raleigh carrying the team, and a perfect blend of youth and experience that makes them a fun team to watch.
7) Chicago Cubs
Record: 76-56
The Cubs are above average in every facet of the game and have built themselves into a real contender to contend with for years to come. While they have been in a lull lately, they certainly have the tools to make a run in the playoffs and hold their Wild Card spot.
6) Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 76-57
The reigning champs have looked beatable of late, especially since getting swept by their cross-town rival, the Angels, but they seem like they may be coming out of it, so I wouldn’t make that have you write them off, though. The Angels have now won seven in a row head-to-head, a streak that dates back to last year, which hasn’t deterred them much. They need more from Mookie Betts to get them back on top, though.
5) Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 76-56
The Phillies are a fantastic example of staying the course. It seems like no matter what they do, they always find a way to be in a tremendous position this time of year. Oh, and by the way, they added one of the best closers in baseball this deadline.
They are starting to pull away from their rival, the Mets, and have a big series coming. If they continue their current approach, they could secure the division title with just a month to play.
4) San Diego Padres
Record: 75-58
The Padres play the game correctly, have superstars who come through clutch with them, and may have the best bullpen assembled with the addition of Mason Miller from the A’s. You need to be able to pitch in October, and I think the Padres are built for a long run.
3) Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 77-56
If anyone had told you that the Blue Jays would be a top-three team in the league in August before the season, no one would have believed you, but here we are. They continue to win games, and I think their pitching could get exposed in October, but the primary focus is for the fans to enjoy the ride right now and see where they can take this thing.
2) Detroit Tigers
Record: 78-56
The Tigers are the best team in the majors, dating back to last August, and it seems entirely possible that this run will last as long as they keep Tarik Skubal. They hit well, have a strong rotation, and a solid bullpen. They will certainly have a chip on their shoulder from losing to Cleveland last year in the first round.
The Tigers remain in control of the AL Central and have a strong chance to hold onto the top seed in the American League. They will come into the playoffs with a chip on their shoulder after last year and would love to have home-field advantage. The Tigers are here to stay.
1) Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 83-50
Baseball’s hottest team comes in at number one on this list. Coming off a 14-game win streak, they are now an incredible 32 games over .500 and have the best record in baseball. The return of Brandon Woodruff has been a significant boost to the team, and they look as poised as any team to make a deep run this postseason.
Specific teams feel like they still have a chance, no matter how many runs they are down or how little time is left in the game, and the Brewers have that energy right now. They are doing all of this without arguably their best player, Jackson Chourio, too. Look for them to make some noise this October.