Easy Eight Baseball Power Rankings as of Sept. 4
Easy Eight Baseball Power Rankings as of Sept. 4
We’re heading to early September and the last month of the baseball season. The division leaders are still struggling though the Phillies and Orioles have won three straight games. Let's take a look at the top eight teams in the game as of Sept. 4
(odds from Draft Kings)
1)Los Angeles Dodgers (84-55). NL Odds: +160
They have the biggest payroll and are going to make the playoffs. They’ve won 12 of their last 15 games so they are playing well heading to the stretch run. Arizona is 6.0 games back, while San Diego is 5.5 back so it’s not over yet. Shohei Ohtani is putting up video game numbers and could be the first in the 50/50 club. The key will be the pitching staff, which has not been stable. Freddie Freeman is also on a tear tearing it up against Arizona (4 HRs, 10 RBIs).
3)Philadelphia Phillies (82-56). NL Odds: +290
The Phillies are still a team and you wonder why it hasn’t clicked in the second half. They’ve won eight of their last 10 games. Taking three of four against Atlanta over the weekend put them back near the top after they were awful for most of July and August. Ace Zack Wheeler was outstanding against the Braves and they’ll need him to step up when it matters.
3)Baltimore Orioles (81-59). AL Odds: +330
Despite all the injuries to their starting rotation (Kyle Bradish. Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer), the Orioles just took over first place in the AL East. The bullpen seems to be getting back to being adequate with Seranthony Dominguez replacing the ineffective Craig Kimbrel as the starter. The team has picked up lately after playing lowly Colorado and the White Sox. The key is the health of Rodriguez, INF Jordan Westburg and relievers Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe, who are a week or two away from returning. Zack Elfin did return on Sunday and was masterful against the Rockies.
4)Milwaukee Brewers (81-58). NL Odds: +600
The Brewers lead the NL Central by 10 games, so the Cubs are playing for a wild card spot. They also have the largest run differential in baseball. Willy Adames not only has 29 homers, but had 13 three-run dingers. The pitching, as always, is key in a shaky NL Central. Getting Christian Yelich (.315, 11 HR, 42 RBI) back from injury would’ve helped but he’s now out for the season. However, Jackson Chourio at just 20 is making up for his loss with a .900 OPS since June 2. He’s hitting .280 with 20 steals, 19 homers and 69 RBIs in 440 at-bats.
5)Houston Astros (75-63). AL Odds:+380
The Astros are not only playing strong baseball, but one of their best players is on the verge of returning. OF Kyle Tucker (fractured shin) hasn’t played since June 3, but in just 60 games and 214 at-bats, he has 19 homers,10 steals and 40 RBIs with a .266 average. You put him in a lineup with the red-hot Yordan Alvarez 30 HRs, 73 RBIs) and Alex Bregman (21 HRs, 61 RBIs), who is back in the lineup after missing time with a right elbow issue. Their staff is solid with the addition of Yusei Kikuchi and they have a strong bullpen.
6)New York Yankees (80-59). AL Odds: +265
The Bronx Bombers were in first place as of Tuesday night. Then Clay Holmes blew his 11th save and the Yankees fell to Texas and to second place. Not only is the starting rotation shaky, but now Aaron Boone will need to take a look at the closer spot. The Yankees have Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. but it doesn’t matter if you don’t pitch or play defense. Right now, this is a talented .500 team.
7)Cleveland Guardians (80-59). AL Odds: +450
The Guards have won three straight and that has put them 4.5 games above the Twins and 5.5 above a struggling KC team in the AL Central. Young Kyle Manzardo has given the offense a much-needed lift with two homers in his first game back from the minors. However, it’s hard to take their rotation seriously with Tanner Bibee (11-6, 3.56 ERA) and Ben Lively (11-8, 3.92 ERA) leading the rotation. If they can just get them six solid innings, the bullpen will do the job, especially closer Emmanuel Clase (0.70 ERA, 41 svs).
8)San Diego Padres (79-61). NL Odds: +750
I’ll give the Padres credit as they are likely going to end up first or second in the wild card race. Getting Joe Musgrave back from an elbow injury has been crucial as he has allowed just four runs in his past five starts. Dylan Cease has been disappointing, but he’s capable of doing some damage in postseason. The lineup lacks a huge power bat but they have some strong hitters led by rookie Jackson Merrill (.2916, 21, 79, 16sb), Jurickson Profar (.280, 21, 81) and Manny Machado (.274, 23, 84).
