Major League Baseball is heading for the home stretch. The fun of the All-Star break is firmly in the rearview and as the weather cools, it’s time to see which teams can stay hot. Some teams have surged while others are in free fall, creating high drama as we approach the critical playoff race.
October baseball is on the horizon, let’s see where the best of the American League and National League stack up.
The only way to find out is to pick up a few boxes of Cracker Jacks and tune in to MLB on DIRECTV.
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Here’s how the playoff contenders from division leaders to wild card hopefuls rank heading down the stretch:
1. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers remain in pole position heading down the stretch. Freddy Peralta headlines a rotation that is humming, and Abner Uribe holds down one the league’s best bullpens. Their lineup is solid, and Jackson Chourio is back – the Brewers are top dawgs until proven otherwise.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Here come the Phillies. Up nine games on the Mets in the NL East, Philly is 7-3 in their last 10 games. Kyle Schwarber keeps hitting home runs, and their starting rotation leads the league in wins above replacement (WAR) and strikeout-to-walk ratio. Lots of strikeouts, not many walks and plenty of wins. That’s a pretty good playoff strategy.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
Despite losing a series to the Yankees, the Blue Jays hold the top spot in the AL East. The 2025 Blue Jays season is one of resurgence. Bo Bichette leads the league in hits and doubles, and George Springer hasn’t hit this many home runs since 2019. They need to hold off the Yankees and the Red Sox in their own division, but they’re poised for the postseason.
4. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs hold a firm grasp on the top wild card spot in the National League. The Cubs lineup runs deep, and Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong are rounding into midseason form just in time. Second in the league in WHIP, the Cubs pitching staff is one of the stingiest.
5. Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have been in cruise control for much of the summer. With the AL Central in hand, Detroit will go as far as its pitching this postseason. Led by Cy Young Candidate Tarik Skubal, the Tigers boast one of the most dynamic bullpens in baseball.
6. New York Yankees
The Yankees wrapped up August with a seven-game winning streak thanks to some chummy matchups with the White Sox and Nationals, then started September with series wins over the Blue Jays and Astros. Aaron Judge and the Bronx Bombers continue to lead the league in slugging percentage, and they are back atop the AL wild card. Next up, Detroit.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers
With one of the most lethal lineups in Major League Baseball, it’s no surprise the Dodgers lead the NL West. But after being swept by the Pirates and losing two out of three to Baltimore, we’re a far cry from the preseason talk of an undefeated season. Just 4-6 in their last 10 games, the Dodgers will try to hold off the surging Padres down the stretch.
8. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox were the hottest team in baseball entering the All-Star Break and the layoff did nothing to cool them down. They’re second in the American League in run differential, hold the top wild card spot in the AL and sit just three games back in the AL East.
The Red Sox offense ranks fourth in RBIs and runs, second in hits, sixth in stolen bases and first in doubles. Their pitching staff has a top-10 ERA to boot. There’s a new vibe in Boston and they just signed young star Roman Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million contract extension.
9. San Diego Padres
After going big at the deadline, the Padres have kept pace with the Dodgers throughout the second half. Their pitching has remained solid and if Fernando Tatis Jr.’s recent hot streak continues, they could make some noise in October.
10. Texas Rangers
If the season ended today, the Rangers wouldn’t make the playoffs. But they’re 7-3 in their last 10 games, making them well within striking distance for a wild card berth and even the AL West division crown. They have the best pitching staff in baseball and at this point in the season, nothing is more important.
11. Seattle Mariners
MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh has the Mariners sitting in the third wild card spot. But a hot streak to end their season could vault them to the top of the AL West. They’ve won four straight and an upcoming three game series with the Astros could seal their fate.
12. Houston Astros
Right now, they lead the AL West, but things may be headed in the wrong direction. They’re 3-7 in their last 10 games. Back-to-back series against the Rangers and Mariners could decide the division and the final AL playoff spot.
The vibes aren’t great. Just ask Framber Valdez.
13. New York Mets
Currently clinging to the final National League wild card spot, the Mets have lost four in a row and seven of their last 10. They’ve hit 74 home runs as a team in the second half, but their pitching has fallen apart of late. The result: they’re six games under .500 since the All-Star Break and heading in the wrong direction as October looms.
The Rest of the Pack
As for the rest of the MLB’s hopefuls, here’s how things are currently stacking up:
14. San Francisco Giants
15. Cleveland Guardians
16. Cincinnati Reds
17. Kansas City Royals
18. Tampa Bay Rays
19. Arizona Diamondbacks
20. St. Louis Cardinals
21. Los Angeles Angels
22. Miami Marlins
23. Baltimore Orioles
24. Atlanta Braves
25. Athletics
26. Minnesota Twins
27. Pittsburgh Pirates
28. Washington Nationals
29. Chicago White Sox
30. Colorado Rockies
The Road to October
As we make our way through the home stretch of the season, the playoff picture is becoming clearer and more competitive. Some division races feel like a lock while some teams are making their final push for a postseason berth.
Teams like the Padres and Phillies who made aggressive moves at the deadline are reaping the rewards as their shot at the World Series look brighter by the day.
With roughly two months remaining in the regular season, every series matters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which MLB team won the 2024 World Series?
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series, nearly sweeping the New York Yankees (4-1).
Which teams are expected to perform at the top of the ranks for the 2025 MLB season?
According to a number of power ranking sources, the MLB teams most likely to make it all the way are the LA Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves
Which MLB team has jumped the most in the power rankings in 2025?
The Toronto Blue Jays finished 20 games out of the AL East in 2024, but find themselves surging up the 2025 Power Rankings during the second half of 2025.
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