As the 2025 MLB regular season rounds the bend into its final month, contenders are shifting from the grind of summer to the urgency of fall. The latest power rankings from The Athletic highlight which teams are surging and what each club must prioritize in September.
Bullpens are stretched thin by injuries. Divisional battles and playoff prep are everywhere, so every front office and dugout is making moves that could make or break their October dreams.
Milwaukee Brewers Still Leading the Pack
The Milwaukee Brewers, rocking an 89-56 record, sit atop the rankings. Their strong pitching has carried them, but September brings new challenges.
The bullpen, usually a cornerstone, has lost five key relievers to injury. If they can stabilize that relief corps, they might just keep their momentum rolling.
Managing Bullpen Depth in High-Leverage Games
Injuries at this stage force managers to get creative. The Brewers are likely to try expanded roles for younger arms, make strategic call-ups, and mix up late-game matchups to protect leads.
NL Contenders: Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers, and Padres
The Philadelphia Phillies (84-60) are performing well. Like Milwaukee, they’re still searching for consistency in their bullpen.
In September, even a single late-inning slip can flip the playoff picture upside down. That tension is real.
The Cubs and Dodgers Face Health and Late-Game Woes
The Chicago Cubs (81-63) hold a solid wild-card position. They really need their stars healthy if they want to hang with the NL’s best.
The Los Angeles Dodgers (80-64) are scrambling to fix bullpen problems after a string of costly late-game collapses. For a team used to October glory, that’s got to be unsettling.
The San Diego Padres (79-65) are one of the NL’s most intriguing stories. Chasing the Dodgers in the NL West, the Padres haven’t overtaken Los Angeles in the division since 2006.
With both teams showing cracks, this September feels like a rare shot to change that history.
American League Spotlight: Tigers, Blue Jays, and Yankees
The Detroit Tigers (82-62) aren’t just aiming for the playoffs. They want the American League’s best record and home-field advantage, which could be huge for a club still building its AL reputation.
A Tight AL East Race
The Toronto Blue Jays (82-61) and New York Yankees (80-63) are locked in a classic AL East fight. Toronto’s playing steady, mistake-free baseball, while New York leans on Aaron Judge’s bat to power their stretch run.
Clubs Battling Through the Borderline
The Boston Red Sox (80-65) are just trying to stay healthy for a potential playoff push. The Houston Astros (78-66) have a more urgent problem—getting the ball safely to Bryan Abreu with closer Josh Hader injured.
In the wild-card mix, the Mets, Mariners, Rangers, and Guardians are all chasing that postseason berth. Each is grappling with injuries or inconsistent play, so September’s going to be a trial by fire.
Rebuilding, Reassessing, and Restoring Faith
For struggling teams, October isn’t the focus anymore. The Royals, Giants, Rays, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals are using September to evaluate young talent and get ready for a stronger 2026.
These evaluations could shape free agency moves and prospect development plans, but who knows if it’ll be enough.
Fan Bases in Need of a Spark
The Braves and Orioles are in a tough spot. Disappointing regular seasons have left their fans frustrated.
This last month is less about chasing wins and more about trying to restore some hope for next year. Sometimes, that’s all you can do.
Final Stretch Drama Awaits
September’s here, and the pressure just keeps building. Every game feels bigger now, every call from the dugout gets second-guessed.
Some teams see these last weeks as their shot at making history. Others? They’re just trying to build something for next year.
No matter where your loyalties lie, you can count on drama, wild swings, and desperate plays as the 2025 MLB regular season hurtles toward its finish.
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Here is the source article for this story: MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers on a downswing; What’s your team’s big priority for the final month?
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