The latest FanGraphs MLB Power Rankings offer a snapshot of where teams sit as the playoff chase ramps up. There’s not much movement in the postseason picture right now, with a pretty clear split between contenders, hopefuls, and clubs stuck in rebuild mode.
Milwaukee’s wild win streak, the scramble for the last Wild Card spots—these rankings highlight a season full of wild swings and the ever-present injury bug. Let’s look at how each tier is shaping up for October.
The Brewers Set the Standard
No one’s hotter than the Milwaukee Brewers right now. Their insane 14-game winning streak has launched them to the top of the league and put them firmly in control of the NL Central.
Milwaukee’s lineup and rotation are both clicking, making them the team everyone’s chasing. Honestly, they’ve become the standard for the rest of MLB.
Dominance by the Numbers
The Brewers ride clutch hitting, a lights-out bullpen, and sharp defense. This combo has made them a nightmare matchup lately, and teams just can’t seem to find a soft spot.
If Milwaukee keeps even half this pace, they’ll be a real problem in October. That’s a big “if,” but it’s hard not to be impressed.
AL Power Leaders and the Chasing Pack
Over in the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays lead the East and haven’t let up, even with tough competition breathing down their necks. The Red Sox, Dodgers, and Phillies are right in the thick of it too, which is impressive considering they’ve been juggling injuries to key guys.
Teams in the Next Tier
The Cubs, Padres, Tigers, Mariners, and Astros all look like solid contenders, but each has shown some cracks. They’re dangerous, sure, but no one’s been able to put together a truly dominant run.
Slumps and injuries keep popping up, so their playoff hopes might come down to how they handle the next month or so.
Wild Card Races Heating Up
Aaron Judge coming back has given the Yankees a much-needed spark. In the NL, the Mets and Reds are locked in a tense fight for the final Wild Card, both trying to get healthy and find some consistency.
AL’s Long Shots
The Royals, Guardians, and Rangers are hanging on by a thread in the AL Wild Card race. Kansas City and Cleveland have picked up steam, which gives their fans a little hope.
Texas, though, can’t seem to get out of its own way and keeps sliding further out of the mix.
Life in “No Man’s Land”
Some teams are stuck in that awkward middle—too far out to chase a playoff spot, but not bad enough to blow it all up. The Orioles, Marlins, Angels, Braves, Athletics, and Rays all fall into this category.
They’ve got a few players putting up big numbers, but it just hasn’t been enough to make a real dent in the standings.
The Disappointments and the Bottom Tier
The “Worst-Case Scenarios” group—Twins, Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Pirates, and Giants—came in with higher hopes. Roster problems and injuries have just wrecked their seasons.
Now, these teams are already thinking about how to fix things for 2025.
Rebuilding from the Ground Up
The Nationals, White Sox, and Rockies are firmly in rebuild mode. Playoffs aren’t even on the radar, so the focus has shifted to developing young players and stockpiling assets.
It’s a long process, and honestly, it doesn’t always work out, but for these teams, what else is there?
The Big Picture
These FanGraphs Power Rankings really drive home how the MLB has split into clear tiers:
- Elite teams keep pulling away, showing off with some pretty dominant performances.
- Mid-tier contenders are scrapping for those last Wild Card spots, and the tension’s real.
- Rebuilders have already started making moves for next season—maybe earlier than fans hoped.
The regular season’s charging into its final stretch, and honestly, there’s just no room for mistakes now.
For the handful of true World Series hopefuls, it’s all about tweaking the little things and hoping everyone stays healthy. The rest? They’re chasing a playoff miracle, or maybe just looking ahead to a better shot next year.
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Here is the source article for this story: FanGraphs Power Rankings: August 4–17
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