Week 25 MLB Power Rankings: Wild-card contenders making moves | Rankings

We have our first official playoff groups! The Brewers clinched the season's first postseason spot on Wednesday with a Cubs loss, and the Yankees adopted swimsuit later that night time by beating the Mariners in further innings to safe their journey to October. Now, with 11 days left within the common season, we wait to see who's subsequent.

It's only a matter of time earlier than further golf equipment lock up berths — such because the Phillies, Dodgers and Guardians — however others nonetheless have quite a bit to play for. In the previous week, we have seen the Tigers go on a run that has introduced them to only 1.5 video games again of the ultimate American League wild card. And within the National League, the Mets have continued their late-season surge, bumping the Braves out of the present playoff image.

Some of those races will go right down to the ultimate days of the season — so, prepare for some thrilling baseball!

Meanwhile, our professional panel has mixed to rank each group based mostly on a mixture of what we have seen up to now and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that may be a full baseball season. We additionally requested ESPN MLB consultants David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo to weigh in with an commentary for all 30 groups.

Week 24 | Second-half preview | Preseason rankings

Record: 91-61
Previous rating: 1

With the postseason across the nook, Zack Wheeler seems to be primed for one more massive October as he is pitching his finest baseball of the season. He has a 1.98 ERA over his previous eight begins with a .181 common and .518 OPS allowed. He has allowed greater than two runs in a recreation simply as soon as since June 16. Wheeler leads all pitchers in WAR since 2020, however he seems destined to complete second within the Cy Young voting to Atlanta's Chris Sale. And who begins the second recreation of the playoffs? Aaron Nola has been hammered in his previous two outings and Ranger Suarez has been slightly shaky as properly. That may line up Cristopher Sanchez because the No. 2 starter for the postseason. — Schoenfield

Record: 90-62
Previous rating: 2

This final week and a half is all about which beginning pitchers will step up for a Dodgers group that misplaced Tyler Glasnow (sprained elbow) for the remainder of the season and remains to be not sure about who will make up its October rotation. Yoshinobu Yamamoto must proceed to sharpen his command, Walker Buehler must get his supply in sync, Clayton Kershaw wants to alleviate the ache in his left massive toe, Bobby Miller wants to search out one thing to get him again on observe and Gavin Stone, who's nursing shoulder irritation and nonetheless hasn't restarted his throwing program, seemingly wants a miracle. Beyond Jack Flaherty, the image nonetheless seems to be very unsure. — Gonzalez

Record: 89-63
Previous rating: 3

All summer time, as Anthony Volpe continued slumping on the plate, Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone insisted that the shortstop's protection and baserunning have been greater than precious sufficient to warrant a spot within the lineup daily. And so Volpe performed shortstop daily. That sentiment has seemingly modified.

Volpe was just lately out of the lineup twice in an eight-game span after beginning 139 consecutive video games, along with his begins going to the switch-hitting Oswaldo Cabrera. Volpe has batted .212 with the bottom OPS (.554) and second-lowest wRC+ (54) amongst certified hitters since June 6, the day after a three-hit efficiency elevated his batting common to .288 and OPS to .803. This may simply be the Yankees giving Volpe breathers in hopes that relaxation may revitalize him on the plate — or they may very well be signaling that he'll play much less when the video games matter most. — Castillo

Record: 88-64
Previous rating: 4

The harm report will catch the attention of the Brewers over the ultimate days of the common season. Righty Joel Payamps is a priority after leaving Sunday's recreation with forearm tightness, however the group is predicted to get starter/reliever Bryse Wilson and righty Nick Mears again earlier than October. Milwaukee may give these gamers further time to return if it earns a first-round bye. The Brewers are nonetheless inside putting distance of the Dodgers and Phillies within the standings however have a troublesome schedule to complete the season in opposition to the wild-card-contending Diamondbacks and Mets. — Rogers

Record: 87-66
Previous rating: 7

With six scoreless innings in opposition to the Astros on Monday, Yu Darvish made a robust case for inclusion within the Padres' rotation in a possible wild-card sequence. And that ought to let you know all it's essential to know concerning the state of their pitching — Darvish, a five-time All-Star who has seemed good since getting back from a three-month absence, may not be a lock to crack the Padres' preliminary October rotation. It says little about Darvish and much more concerning the trio of Dylan Cease, Joe Musgrove and Michael King — to not point out Martin Perez, an under-the-radar pickup earlier than the commerce deadline who has been nothing wanting dominant in San Diego. — Gonzalez

Record: 88-65
Previous rating: 5

With their lead increasing within the AL Central, the Guardians now have one other objective in thoughts: the No. 1 seed within the AL. They had some essential roster shuffling this week, with Steven Kwan touchdown on the 10-day injured listing with a again concern, retroactive to Sept. 14. That would give him time to make it again earlier than the top of the common season. After hitting .352 within the first half and beginning the All-Star Game, Kwan has struggled with a .201 common within the second half. Carlos Carrasco, on the IL anyway, was designated for task. The Guardians are additionally nonetheless hoping to get Alex Cobb, who has made simply three begins, again from a blister concern. He may definitely issue into the postseason pitching plans if he is wholesome. — Schoenfield

Record: 84-68
Previous rating: 9

The D-backs activated catcher Gabriel Moreno after a six-week absence that was prompted by a groin harm. At some level within the close to future, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (calf) can also be anticipated to come back off the IL, making Arizona's high-powered offense entire after being with out a handful of regulars all through the second half. Aside from profitable sufficient video games to safe a wild-card spot, getting the likes of Moreno, Gurriel, Christian Walker and Ketel Marte on observe offensively will likely be crucial down the stretch. So will a wholesome Ryne Nelson, the 26-year-old beginning pitcher who just lately went on the IL with shoulder irritation however is predicted again earlier than the top of September. — Gonzalez

Record: 82-70
Previous rating: 8

The Astros aren't fairly locked into the AL's 3-seed, however issues are shifting quickly in that course. Before lengthy, normal supervisor Dana Brown & Co. will face some powerful selections concerning the postseason rotation. Justin Verlander has largely struggled since coming off the IL in August, however that is solely the beginning of Brown's dilemma. You solely want 4 starters within the playoffs and, in some circumstances, three will do. Houston at the moment has 5 starters outperforming Verlander. Picking a rotation amongst that quintet could be powerful sufficient, however what about Verlander? Can you actually go away the longer term Hall of Famer out of the combination? It's one of many extra intriguing components of all of the playoff roster selections that lie forward. — Doolittle

Record: 84-68
Previous rating: 6

The Orioles' determination to designate Craig Kimbrel for task Wednesday was concurrently stunning and anticipated. Shocking as a result of Kimbrel is a possible future Hall of Famer who, in his age-36 season, was dominant for lengthy stretches this season. Expected as a result of the opposite stretches have been that ugly. Kimbrel misplaced his nearer job for good after the commerce deadline. By the top of his time in Baltimore, he was a mop-up man. His ultimate outing was a nightmare: a career-high six runs allowed in two-thirds of an inning in a 10-0 blowout loss Tuesday. Kimbrel was supposed to exchange the injured Felix Bautista because the nearer. Now the Orioles should depend on Yennier Cano and their two deadline acquisitions — Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto — for outs within the ultimate innings as they tumble into the postseason. — Castillo

Record: 84-68
Previous rating: 11

After taking part in each recreation on the season, Francisco Lindor missed his first Saturday after jamming his again on a play at second base Friday. He tried to play Sunday however left after one at-bat after which sat out the Nationals sequence. Luisangel Acuna, Ronald Acuna Jr.'s youthful brother and the prospect acquired in final 12 months's Max Scherzer commerce, crammed in to make his MLB debut and went 3-for-4 along with his first residence run in Tuesday's win. The Mets are hopeful that Lindor returns this weekend. They're additionally planning for Kodai Senga to return the ultimate week. He's eligible to come back off the IL on Sept. 25, the second recreation of the sequence in Atlanta. Senga would not be stretched, however he may function an opener or reduction possibility. — Schoenfield

Record: 82-71
Previous rating: 10

The bullpen have to be the realm of focus for Kansas City going ahead. That's true for the common season and, presumably, the postseason, if the Royals can eke out just a few extra wins. Lucas Erceg has emerged as the highest high-leverage possibility, and supervisor Matt Quatraro has used him accordingly, even when which means utilizing him earlier than the ninth inning. Erceg has been terrific however the Royals want John Schreiber, Kris Bubic and at the very least a few others to carry regular if they'll be greater than a feel-good common season story. — Doolittle

Record: 82-70
Previous rating: 12

After two massive wins to start their sequence in opposition to the Dodgers, together with Chris Sale permitting one run in six innings to enhance to 17-3 with a 2.35 ERA, the Braves dropped the ultimate two of the four-game set. On Sunday night time, tied 2-2 within the ninth, Raisel Iglesias had a uncommon meltdown, as an intentional stroll to Shohei Ohtani helped result in a seven-run Dodgers outburst. Monday was a 9-0 loss as Braves pitchers allowed simply 4 hits however walked seven batters. Tuesday's loss to the Reds then dropped Atlanta two video games again of the Mets and Diamondbacks (for 2 spots), the primary time all season the Braves had been multiple recreation out of the wild-card race. — Schoenfield

Record: 80-73
Previous rating: 15

The Tigers have made issues very fascinating within the AL wild-card standings, sitting only a half-game again of the division-rival Twins with 9 to go. In case you are questioning, there is not a lot discrepancy between the 2 groups' remaining schedules. Each of their final three sequence will come in opposition to the Orioles, plus one actually dangerous group (Marlins for the Twins, White Sox for the Tigers) and one fringe contender (Red Sox for the Twins, Rays for the Tigers). The Tigers have been carried by their pitching. If they hope to do what hardly anybody thought of potential only a few weeks in the past, they will in all probability should hit a bit extra; their .685 second-half OPS is the eighth lowest within the majors. — Gonzalez

Record: 80-72
Previous rating: 13

For months, Minnesota comfortably held on to a playoff spot in an unexpectedly aggressive AL Central. Then the accidents which have ravaged a very powerful gamers lastly caught as much as the group. The Twins are 10-18 since Aug. 18 and at the moment are barely holding on to a wild card with the streaking Tigers on their heels. Their remaining schedule is favorable: After a four-game sequence in Cleveland this week, the Twins face the Red Sox, Marlins and Orioles over their ultimate 11 video games. And Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, their two finest gamers, returned from the IL over the weekend. But each gamers are clearly not 100% and the margin for error is dwindling. — Castillo

Record: 77-75
Previous rating: 17

Thanks to a punchless offense, your complete Mariners pitching workers has been victimized by a scarcity of help. No one has suffered greater than Logan Gilbert, who in any other case may be having what could be remembered as an incredible season. Pairing his 114 ERA+ along with his 7-11 document offers you a glimpse of what he has handled. That meager win whole has been compiled over 30 begins and counting. Gilbert nonetheless has a shot at surpassing 200 innings for the primary time. He additionally leads the AL with a 0.89 WHIP, a determine that is additionally one of the best for a qualifying Seattle pitcher. The No. 2 on that listing is Felix Hernandez, who put up a 0.92 WHIP in 2014, the peak of the King Felix days. Gilbert does not have that document clinched, in order that's one thing to observe. — Doolittle

Record: 77-75
Previous rating: 14

Kyle Hendricks may make his ultimate begin in a Cubs uniform subsequent week as his contract is up following what was an up-and-down 2024 season. A fan favourite for his throwback type of pitching and laid again demeanor, Hendricks will go down in historical past because the pitcher that bought the Cubs to the World Series in 2016, outdueling the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw to win the NL pennant. Hendricks additionally began Game 7 of the Fall Classic, a recreation the Cubs gained to interrupt a 108-year championship drought. That all got here after profitable the ERA title that season. He was the consummate professional all through his Cubs profession and will likely be a great mentor for an up-and-coming pitching workers, as he needs to proceed pitching regardless of his lofty 6.25 ERA this 12 months. — Rogers

Record: 76-76
Previous rating: 16

Boston's postseason hopes, which have been barely flickering in latest weeks, have been lastly extinguished over the weekend within the Bronx. The Red Sox are 23-33 because the All-Star break. They're 6-10 in September. Now it is about whether or not they may end below .500 in three consecutive seasons for the primary time since compiling shedding information in 1992 to 1994. The Red Sox even have an out of doors likelihood of ending final within the AL East for the third straight 12 months — one thing they've by no means performed since divisions have been launched in 1969. — Castillo

Record: 77-75
Previous rating: 18

Avoiding a second consecutive shedding season ought to be a precedence in St. Louis because it hasn't occurred since 1958-59. That may very well be one of many higher franchise stats in all of baseball, but it surely's undoubtedly in jeopardy down the stretch right here. Ending the season on a West Coast swing will not be simple, regardless of taking part in two non-playoff groups in Colorado and San Francisco. The Cardinals went 71-91 final 12 months however have been flirting with .500 most of this season. It will not be ok for the postseason, however preserving their string alive ought to be motivation sufficient for a proud franchise that has fallen on laborious occasions. — Rogers

Record: 74-78
Previous rating: 20

Shane Baz's return to the mound after lacking two years with accidents has been an encouraging signal for the Rays. The right-hander has a 3.21 ERA throughout 67⅓ innings since making his season debut on July 5. In his twelfth begin Tuesday, he held the Red Sox to 2 runs on two hits over seven innings, turning into the primary participant in franchise historical past to permit three or fewer hits and log at the very least 5 innings in 5 straight begins. It was the third time he is pitched at the very least seven innings and the sixth time he is pitched at the very least six. Baz is simply 25 years previous. He figures to play prominently within the Rays' plans for 2025 and past. The previous two months have been promising. He ought to have two extra outings to complete 2024 sturdy. — Castillo

Record: 74-79
Previous rating: 22

Can Rhett Lowder safe a rotation spot for 2025? The seventh total decide from the 2023 draft has been extraordinarily spectacular up to now, giving up 17 hits and simply 4 runs in 20⅔ innings over 4 begins. His finest pitch has been his changeup — he is allowed only one hit off of it — and he is but to surrender a house run off any pitch. Lowder is one other good prospect who's come up from the Reds' farm system. The group has loads of these however would possibly nonetheless want a few high finish gamers from exterior the group to take the following step and rebound from a poor 2024 season. — Rogers

Record: 74-78
Previous rating: 19

The Giants adopted an encouraging 7-2 begin to August with 20 losses over a stretch of 33 video games. It will likely be one other wasted season in San Francisco, with the largest storyline the remainder of the way in which revolving across the job standing of Farhan Zaidi, the top of baseball operations. The subsequent largest (a associated one at that): whether or not the Giants can lock up Blake Snell to an extension just like the one they agreed to with Matt Chapman, thus preserving one other Scott Boras consumer from coming into free company. Snell has a 1.33 ERA over his final 13 begins, throughout which he has struck out 105 batters in 74⅓ innings. He is all however sure to decide out if given the possibility. — Gonzalez

Record: 73-79
Previous rating: 21

Texas' title protection by no means actually bought out of the beginning blocks. As all of us mused about what a wholesome Rangers rotation would possibly seem like at playoff time, the group dropped beneath .500 on May 21 and by no means bought again to breakeven. The rotation by no means did get wholesome, even because the roster of obtainable arms iterated repeatedly, ultimately leading to a playing-out-the-string group that included the Jacob DeGrom-Max Scherzer pairing we dreamed about. There have been simply too many accidents and underperformances to beat. The Rangers have supervisor Bruce Bochy below contract by subsequent season and just lately prolonged and promoted lead exec Chris Young. With that pair intact, an bettering well being outlook and a rising core of in-house expertise, expectations for the 2025 Rangers may be excessive. — Doolittle

Record: 72-80
Previous rating: 23

Bo Bichette went 2-for-5 in his return from the IL on Tuesday after lacking almost two months with a calf pressure. The shortstop rejoined the membership with a refreshed outlook, emphasizing to reporters that the time away allowed for some introspection and he emerged “grateful” to only play. On the sector, it has been a misplaced season for Bichette and the Blue Jays. The two-time All-Star is batting .225 with 4 residence runs and a .598 OPS in 81 video games as Toronto stumbled from the beginning and by no means clawed again into the playoff image. There is not sufficient time to spice up his numbers to his typical stage or push the Blue Jays into the playoffs, however Bichette at the very least has a possibility to finish the disappointing season on a excessive notice. — Castillo

Record: 71-81
Previous rating: 24

Paul Skenes will not qualify for the ERA title — he does not have sufficient innings — however that does not imply he cannot boast the bottom ERA amongst all starters anyway. His 2.07 mark going into the ultimate days of the season will put him squarely within the Rookie of the Year race, however will he win it with lower than 25 begins? If he lowers his ERA to below 2.00 within the ultimate days, he can in all probability lock it up. Either method, it should possible be an in depth vote with Jackson Merrill, his closest competitor. — Rogers

Record: 67-86
Previous rating: 25

The time for heavy nostalgia is at hand with the A's down to only six residence video games earlier than they skip city for good. The finale is Sept. 26 with a day recreation in opposition to Texas. That recreation will come 70 years to the day of the Athletics' final recreation because the Philadelphia A's. On Sept. 26, 1954, the A's beat the Yankees 8-6 at Yankee Stadium behind the primary profession victory for Art Ditmer. Like many former A's, Ditmer had his finest days with the Yankees, profitable 15 video games for the 1960 AL pennant winners. — Doolittle

Record: 68-84
Previous rating: 26

It will likely be fascinating to see if middle fielder Jacob Young can win the Gold Glove. The Rockies' Brenton Doyle was the Gold Glove middle fielder final 12 months and might be the favourite, however Young does have the sting in Statcast's fielding run worth metric (plus-16 runs to plus-15), doing it in much less taking part in time. Young additionally leads in defensive runs saved (plus-12 to plus-9). The Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong has additionally been a daily on the spotlight reels. He's at plus-14 in Statcast and plus-14 in DRS. Maybe they want to return to only giving the trophy to a few outfielders, no matter place. — Schoenfield

(*25*)

Record: 62-90
Previous rating: 27

As the Angels play out the streak, the primary factor to concentrate to is the very cause they have been so laborious to observe: historic shedding. Barring a complete collapse, the Angels aren't going to lose 100 video games for the primary time, however the franchise document — 95 losses, set in 1968 and tied in 1980 — stays very a lot in play. The Halos have yet one more street journey, with 4 video games at first-place Houston and three at Chicago in opposition to a White Sox group nonetheless attempting to sidestep the trendy period loss document. L.A. finishes at residence with three in opposition to Texas. — Doolittle

Record: 59-94
Previous rating: 29

The Rockies beat Arizona on Monday, and the way they did it was notable: Ezequiel Tovar, the 23-year-old shortstop who they hope to construct round, aided the trouble with a fourth-inning residence run. It was his twenty fourth of the 12 months, tying for the group lead, to go together with 43 doubles, a document for a Rockies shortstop. Tovar has all the time been thought of a premium defender, however he has taken good leaps offensively this 12 months. His success, together with that of the opposite younger Rockies place gamers, is all that issues the remainder of the way in which. — Gonzalez

Record: 56-96
Previous rating: 28

This is not the form of document you wish to set: The Marlins set a brand new mark for many gamers used throughout a single season with 70. That's nearly three full rosters of various gamers. Michael Petersen, a 30-year-old reliever who was born in England, turned the seventieth participant, breaking a tie with the 2021 Cubs. Peterson had simply been claimed on waivers from the Dodgers just a few days earlier than his Friday outing (he had made just a few appearances for the Dodgers and had a 1.64 ERA in Triple-A, so he may issue into the 2025 bullpen).

That document quantity may get to 71, as reliever Jeff Lindgren is at the moment on the energetic roster as properly. Lindgren had a 7.90 ERA in Triple-A with 18 residence runs allowed in 75⅔ innings. For the 2024 Marlins, that is apparently ok to get known as up. — Schoenfield

Record: 36-117
Previous rating: 30

It's right here. The second we have all been ready for: The White Sox are on the verge of breaking the modern-day document for many losses in a single season. When they attain 120, they may tie the 1962 Mets. The one after that may set a brand new mark for futility. A 3-game win streak that ended on Tuesday solely delayed the agony. Chicago will possible set the mark at residence subsequent week in opposition to the Angels. The larger headline could be if it may keep away from setting the document one way or the other, however with a sequence in opposition to the Padres this weekend and one other in opposition to the upstart Tigers to finish the season, the White Sox will make historical past. — Rogers