‘Tis the season of potential collapses. That’s what the last week of the season can turn into for teams that suddenly inexplicably and explicably lose their mojo with other squads in relentless pursuit. That is the case for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets and maybe even the Houston Astros.
At the All-Star break, the Tigers were 59-38 and held a 12-game lead over the 46-49 Cleveland Guardians. Since then, the Tigers have gone just 26-33, while the Guardians have won 15 of their last 17 and gone 38-23 overall and now stand one game behind the Tigers. The Tigers are in Cleveland for three this week.
Meanwhile, the Mets entered the break at 55-42. Since then, they have gone just 25-34. The Reds, who just won four straight against the Cubs, have tied them at 80-76. The Diamondbacks, at 79-77, are just one game behind both and are playing some spirited ball since the trade deadline.
It’s unlikely that Tigers manager A.J. Hinch would be on the hot seat, even if his team doesn’t make the playoffs. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza might be a different story. Owner Steve Cohen might push for a change if the Mets don’t make the playoffs, even if president of baseball operations David Stearns preaches patience.
It’s all about to come to a head this week and then we’ll enter a wide-open postseason. It will come replete with lots of surprises and thrills. No outcome is out of bounds in 2025.
Here are my power rankings:
1. Milwaukee Brewers (95-61, No. 2 last week): The Brewers continue to be steadiest team in baseball, but on the same day they clinched the NL Central crown, the news came down that Brandon Woodruff is going on the injured list with a lat strain. That may be a bridge too far for their World Series chances.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (92-64, No. 1): Even with ace Zack Wheeler out for this season and perhaps a good chunk of ’26, the Phillies are probably the best all-around team as we get ready for the playoffs. However, before we crown them, let’s remember that Aaron Nola hasn’t pitched particularly well after returning from ankle and rib injuries. Using an opener and giving Nola more like a four-inning bulk relief role might make some sense. Also, Trea Turner hasn’t played since Sept. 7 because of a hamstring injury. Manager Rob Thomson says Turner may get back this coming weekend to knock off the rust.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (88-68, No. 4): Mookie Betts hit .241/.311/.352 in 110 games from April 15 to Aug. 30. Since Aug. 31, he is hitting the cover off the ball. Needless to say, if this Superman appears in the postseason, the Dodgers’ chances for a repeat are greatly aided.
4. New York Yankees (88-68, No. 6): Yeah, the bullpen is kind of a mess, but top starters Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Cam Schlittler are really good. And, oh this guy Aaron Judge is pretty good. If he plays like Judge can, the Yankees may just be the favorite to win it all.
5. Seattle Mariners (87-69, No. 8): Cal Raleigh has been flexing his muscles all season long in what might turn out to be an MVP season. But for once, maybe president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto’s Preller-like approach will pay off with his acquiring top-line talent this time around. Bryan Woo’s pectoral inflammation is troublesome, but it looks like the Mariners may have dodged a bullet on this one.
6. Toronto Blue Jays (90-66, No. 3): When the Jays popped to the top of the pile in my power rankings in early August, it was in large part because of how Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer were pitching. However, Scherzer has allowed 21 earned runs and seven home runs in his last five starts, spanning just 20 innings. That’s a 9.45 ERA. Clayton Kershaw has announced his retirement, Charlie Morton will be next and Scherzer should follow suit. Justin Verlander is pitching well at the moment, though. The Giants want him back, but he probably won’t pitch more than 90 innings in 2026. I digress. Maybe Trey Yesavage can save the day for the Jays.
7. Boston Red Sox (85-71, No. 9): Suddenly, the Red Sox find themselves in hand-to-hand combat for the third and final wild-card spot with Cleveland, Houston and Detroit. It could come down to the final three at home against Detroit. But first, the Sox head to Toronto for a three-game series in Toronto against a Jays club frantically trying to stave off the Yankees for the AL East title and home advantage. That’s a tough last six.
8. Cleveland Guardians (84-72, No. 13): Even though the Tigers are one game in front of the Guardians, I’ll always take a team that is 15-2 in its last 17 over the one that is 4-11 in its last 15. Cleveland ballplayers believe in skipper Stephen Vogt.
9. Chicago Cubs (88-68, No. 5): The Cubs have been short on starting arms throughout the season. Ace Justin Steele needed elbow surgery, then Shota Imanaga, Michael Soroka and Jameson Taillon missed time as well. The offense suffocated any chances to play up to lofty postseason expectations.
10. San Diego Padres (85-71, No. 11): President of baseball operations A.J. Preller wins the trade deadline every year, but he has little to show for all the upheaval and moving parts. His teams don’t end up being real teams.
11. Detroit Tigers (85-71, No. 7)
12. Houston Astros (84-72, No. 20)
13. New York Mets (80-76, No. 13)
14. Cincinnati Reds (80-76, No. 18)
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (79-77, No. 16)
16. Texas Rangers (79-77, No. 12)
17. Kansas City Royals (78-78, No. 17)
18. San Francisco Giants (77-79, No. 15)
19. St. Louis Cardinals (76-80, No. 20)
20. Miami Marlins (76-80, No. 21)
21. Tampa Bay Rays (76-80, No. 19)
22. Athletics (73-83, No. 23)
23. Baltimore Orioles (73-83, No. 21)
24. Atlanta Braves (73-83, No. 25)
25. Los Angeles Angels (70-86, No. 22)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (67-89, No. 26)
27. Minnesota Twins (67-89, No. 27)
28. Washington Nationals (64-92, No. 28)
29. Chicago White Sox (58-98, No. 29)
30. Colorado Rockies (43-113, No. 30)