They’ve been nondescript and largely underwhelming all year. Suddenly, though, the New York Yankees have a puncher’s chance at a prime time spot in the playoffs.
The Yankees finished off their season series with the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by winning two of three at Yankee Stadium and suddenly, with 19 games left in the season, are just two games out of the American League East lead.
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Couple that with the putrid play of contenders in the AL West and the East champion is virtually assured a top two seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
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It’s all surprising stuff for a Yankee team that was 6 ½ games out just two weeks ago, and in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Now, they’ve surged three spots in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings, reaching No. 6.
While New York has a half-dozen challenging upcoming games against Detroit and Boston, it will finish the season with seven games against Baltimore and three apiece vs. the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota, all well under .500. Toronto, however, does hold the tiebreaker thanks to winning the season series. Yet what once felt like settled business is once again a race.
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A look at our updated rankings:
Giancarlo Stanton watches his solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays.
On pace to win an even 100 games.
Smooth September disrupted by Trea Turner’s hamstring strain.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (-)
Anthony Santander (remember him?) slated to start rehab assignment.
Oh, no: Closer Daniel Plascencia has shoulder injury.
5. Detroit Tigers (-1)
“Pitching chaos” is back due to rotation struggles behind Tarik Skubal.
6. New York Yankees (+3)
How many extra bases will Aaron Judge’s throwing arm cost them?
Jack Dreyer shaping up to be pivotal piece of postseason bullpen.
600 career wins for Alex Cora trailing only Terry Francona (744) and Joe Cronin (1,071) in club history.
9. San Diego Padres (-1)
Five-game skid softened by Dodgers’ woes; just one game out.
10. Houston Astros (-)
Framber Valdez loses first start after drilling own catcher in chest.
11. New York Mets (-)
Juan Soto update: 38 homers, 29 steals, .928 OPS.
Amid grim September, Cal Raleigh one homer shy of Mickey Mantle’s record for a switch-hitter.
Reliever Shawn Armstrong with a 0.83 ERA in second half.
Bobby Witt Jr. slowed by back spasms.
15. Cleveland Guardians (+2)
José Ramírez passes Jim Thome for No. 2 on Guardians’ all-time RBI list.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games record with 2,131.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games record with 2,131.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. gets a base hit in the eighth inning of his 2,131st consecutive game September 6, 1995.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges fans as the game became official to set the record of 2,131 consecutive games played, September 6, 1995.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Kelly Ripken holds son Ryan and watches on September 6, 1995.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles shakes hands with fans at Camden Yards on September 6, 1995.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. raises his arms to acknowledge the fans as he takes a victory lap around Camden Yards.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. hugs his wife Kelly during a post-game ceremony.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd as he is driven around the field during a post-game ceremony.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. reaches over the outfield wall to shake hands with cheering fans as one fan falls over the wall at Camden Yards.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. waves to fans during a parade in his honor.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken, Jr. autographs a baseball bat before presenting it to US President Bill Clinton, his daughter Chelsea and Vice President Al Gore.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. runs around the crowd at Camden Yards in Baltimore greeting fans.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken Jr. tips his hat to the fans in the middle of the fifth inning at Camden Yards.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken signs autographs for fans at Camden Yards before a game against the California Angels during which he broke Lou Gehrig”s record.
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Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.’s ‘Iron Man’ night 30 years later
Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles gets a hug from Ken Singleton on September 6, 1995.
Even six shutout innings can’t get 300-hunter Justin Verlander a win.
Hunter Greene strikes out 12 for third time this year as Reds snag series from Mets.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
Briefly crawl above .500 for first time since July 1.
19. St. Louis Cardinals (-)
Jordan Walker ends an 0-for-25 skid in fine fashion – a walk-off double.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
Playoff drive stunted by closer Pete Fairbanks two losses and blown save in seven-game span.
21. Los Angeles Angels (-)
Top starter Jose Soriano has 2.47 ERA on road, but 4.50 at Angel Stadium.
22. Miami Marlins (-)
Brian Navarreto hits first big league home run five years after debut.
23. Baltimore Orioles (+3)
A 5-1 run against NL West powers San Diego and Los Angeles.
24. Atlanta Braves (-1)
Chris Sale gives up just two runs in 12 ⅔ innings in return from rib cage injury.
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25. Athletics (-)
Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers should both top 30-homer mark on next trip to Yolo County.
Bubba Chandler gives up nine runs to Brewers in first career start.
Pablo Lopez returns from three-month absence with six strong innings.
28. Washington Nationals (-)
Josiah Gray makes first rehab start, 17 months after last appearance.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
Dominic Fletcher, 28, makes long-awaited return to majors.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Yankees climb back up in AL East standings