Four teams punched their ticket to the 2023 postseason over the past week, and fittingly, these four teams sit atop our power rankings.
But like many postseason races, it gets pretty crowded after them. It was a tight battle for #5 – and there was very little separation from #7-15.
Here’s a full look at the rankings:
Biggest Jump: It’s been up and down for the Rangers – and that certainly continued last week. After posting a massive four-game sweep over fellow AL Wild Card contender the Blue Jays in Toronto, the Rangers went 23-6 in a three-game sweep of the Guardians over the weekend. Still, Texas jumped three spots to No. 7 after going 6-3 in its last nine games and entering this week clinging to the final AL Wild Card spot.
Biggest drop: Sitting one game behind the Rangers in the final AL Wild Card spot are the Mariners, who dropped four spots to 10th. Seattle is just 2-7 in its last nine games, including being swept at home by the Dodgers over the weekend. . However, the Mariners have plenty of control over their postseason chances, with seven of their last 13 games coming against the rival Rangers.
1) Braves, 96-53 (last week: 1)
Not only did the Braves capture their sixth straight National League East title last week, but they did it on the road against the rival Phillies. It’s possible their postseason run will take them back to Philadelphia — the city where their 2023 season ended — sometime next month. That wasn’t the only milestone for Atlanta last week, as Matt Olson set a franchise record with his 52nd home run. And while Ronald Acuña Jr. he was sidelined with a right calf strain, his injury is not believed to be serious.
2) Orioles, 93-56 (last week: 2)
The sacrificial fly is usually not the best exciting way to end a ballgame, but you wouldn’t have known it watching the Orioles celebrate Cedric Mullins’ game-winning hit against the Rays on Sunday. After all, the win clinched Baltimore’s first postseason berth since 2016. There’s still a lot to play for, as the O’s enter the week with just a two-game lead over Tampa Bay atop the AL East. The division winner will likely get the top seed in the AL – and the all-important bye that comes with it.
3) Rays, 92-59 (last week: 4)
Despite the aforementioned loss to the O’s on Sunday, the Rays also clinched their spot in the 2023 postseason thanks to the Rangers’ loss to the Guardians. As Tampa Bay continues to battle Baltimore for the AL East crown, former postseason hero Randy Arozarena appears to be heating up at just the right time. He hit .400 (10-for-25) with three extra base hits during his six-hit streak last week that ended Sunday.
4) Dodgers, 91-57 (Last week: 3)
The Dodgers wrapped up their 10th NL West title in the last 11 seasons on Saturday, then continued the momentum by completing a sweep of the Mariners on Sunday. Although Clayton Kershaw didn’t pitch in that convincing victory, it was fitting that Los Angeles’ three-time Cy Young-winning three-time ace was there to start. After 10 days of rest, Kershaw didn’t miss a break in five scoreless innings as Los Angeles continued to monitor his workload with an eye toward October. Unlike years past, the Dodgers’ strength this season remains a high-powered offense led by NL MVP candidate Mookie Betts — but a healthy Kershaw could be a difference maker in the postseason.
5) Astros, 84-66 (last week: 5)
Last week certainly didn’t go the way the Astros would have liked, with Houston losing two of three against a pair of last-place teams in the Royals and Athletics. Still, the Astros enter this week 1 1/2 games ahead of the Rangers atop the AL West and 2 1/2 ahead of the Mariners. Framber Valdez, who has a 1.59 ERA over his last nine starts, looks postseason ready, while Houston hopes Justin Verlander’s recent funk — he’s allowed at least five runs in two of his last three starts — is simply a blip.
Rest of field 30:
6) Brewers (7)
7) Guardians (10)
8) Blue Jays (8)
9) Phillies (9)
10) Sailors (6)
11) Twins (12)
12) Cubs (11)
13) D-backs (13)
14) Red (15)
15) Marlins (14)
16) Yankees (18)
17) Giants (17)
18) Red Sox (16)
19) Padres (19)
20) Guardians (20)
21) Tigers (24)
22) Mets (23)
23) Pirates (21)
24) Angels (22)
25) Cardinals (25)
26) nationals (26)
27) Rocky Mountains (28)
28) White Sox (27)
29) Royals (29)
30) A (30)
Voters: Will Leitch, Alyson Footer, Anthony Castrovince, Paul Casella, Mark Feinsand, Nathalie Alonso, Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs, Arturo Pardavila, Andrew Simon, David Venn, Sweeny Murti, Doug Gausepohl, Travis Miller
