Major League Baseball’s postseason is less than two months away, and the playoff races are really heating up.
The red-hot San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks have jolted into the top two spots in the National League’s Wild Card race, and both are giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a run for their money in the NL West. The Atlanta Braves’ struggles have them barely hanging onto a postseason spot.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 8: Charlie Morton #50 is pulled from the game by manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park on August 8,… ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 8: Charlie Morton #50 is pulled from the game by manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park on August 8, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves continue to struggle. More Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Over in the American League, the Kansas City Royals are barely holding onto the final Wild Card spot, with the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox right behind them.
As for the divisions, only the NL East and NL Central have first-place teams with a lead of four games or more.
The postseason push is shaping up to be epic, but for now, here is another edition of Newsweek Sports’ MLB power rankings.
1. New York Yankees (70-49)
2. Baltimore Orioles (70-49)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (69-49)
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (69-49)
5. Cleveland Guardians (69-49)
6. Milwaukee Brewers (67-50)
7. Kansas City Royals (65-53)
8. Arizona Diamondbacks (66-53)
9. San Diego Padres (66-53)
10. Minnesota Twins (65-52)
11. Houston Astros (62-55)
12. Seattle Mariners (63-56)
13. Atlanta Braves (61-56)
14. Boston Red Sox (61-55)
15. New York Mets (61-57)
16. San Francisco Giants (61-59)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (60-58)
18. Tampa Bay Rays (59-58)
19. Chicago Cubs (59-60)
20. Cincinnati Reds (57-61)
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (56-61)
22. Texas Rangers (55-63)
23. Detroit Tigers (56-63)
24. Washington Nationals (54-65)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (54-64)
26. Los Angeles Angels (52-66)
27. Oakland Athletics (50-69)
28. Miami Marlins (44-75)
29. Colorado Rockies (44-75)
30. Chicago White Sox (28-91)
Biggest Risers
Arizona Diamondbacks (+3)
The Diamondbacks have gone 15-3 in their last 18 games and are right next to the Padres as the hottest team in MLB. After sweeping the Guardians and taking three of four against the Phillies, the Diamondbacks have asserted themselves as a serious threat to make another World Series run.
San Francisco Giants (+3)
The NL West is turning into the juggernaut everyone expected it to be, and the Giants are looking to make a late push in the standings. The Giants have won 12 of their last 16 games and are just 1.5 games back of the third and final Wild Card spot in the NL.
Chicago Cubs (+3)
The Cubs are trying to salvage what appeared to be a lost season, and are suddenly just three games back of the third and final NL Wild Card spot after going 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Biggest Fallers
Atlanta Braves (-5)
Once the class of the NL, the Braves are suddenly looking like a team that could miss the postseason altogether. The Braves have lost seven of their last eight contests, including Sunday’s game against the lowly Rockies in which they blew a six-run lead in the eighth inning.
Pittsburgh Pirates (-5)
The Pirates entered August at 55-53 and firmly in the NL Wild Card race. Then they had to play the NL West. The Pirates lost two of three to the Diamondbacks before getting swept in back-to-back series against the Padres and Dodgers. Now, they have to play the Padres again for three games, this time in San Diego.