We’re more than 80% into the season, so it’s time for one of my power ranking polls, chock full of snark.
1. Dodgers: Injuries haven’t helped, but I put them atop the poll knowing manager Dave Roberts said the team is working toward having a healthy playoff roster.
2. Padres: Remember on July 30, when I told you San Diego was the most dangerous threat on the senior circuit?
3. White Sox: Hogwash, all that talk about the South Siders only being good against bad teams. This lineup is lethal, up and down, from one to nine.
4. Athletics: The balance of this team is ridiculous, with top-10 team batting average and team ERA.
5. Rays: Don’t mind the recent split of a four-game series with last-place Boston, a mere lapse during a division title run.
6. Twins: Injuries are taking a toll on this team at the wrong time. But out of respect, they’re top six for now.
7. Braves: Are they going to blow this lead to surging Miami?
8. Cubs: Alec Mills’ no-no was the perfect late-season spark to keep Chicago rolling.
9. Blue Jays: This 11-game stretch against the Yankees and Phils will be revealing.
10. Yankees: This 10-game stretch against the Jays and Red Sox will be revealing.
11. Marlins: See Atlanta.
12. Indians: What happened to Cleveland’s offense?
13. Astros: Are they going to blow bow out of second place to surging Seattle?
14. Phillies: They belong in the upper half because of Bryce Harper.
15. Cardinals: This team loves the .500 plateau and is lingering around the wild-card race.
16. Giants: Tinkering with the rotation this late in this season is scary.
17. Mariners: See Houston.
18. Reds: Joey Votto registered his 960th career RBI on Monday, tying him with Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin for fifth on the team list. There’s that.
19. Brewers: I wonder if Giannis Antetokounmpo unfollowed their Instagram account, too.
20. Mets: The biggest blow to this team is knowing it won’t be owned by A-Rod and J Lo.
21. Nationals: Ace Max Scherzer’s durability is on a milk carton. A 2.67 ERA after his four starts; a 4.75 ERA over his last six.
22. Rockies: They opened the season 11-3. Then they went 10-22. Playoff teams don’t do that, do they?
23. Royals: Seems like yesterday this team won back-to-back pennants. They did a ride a six-game win streak into Tuesday.
24. Orioles: They’ll always have Monday, when they put two touchdowns up on the Braves.
25. Tigers: Chicago 9 wins, Detroit 1. Good news is they don’t have to play the White Sox anymore.
26. Rangers: They had the second-worst run differential (-73) in the league after Sunday’s game with Oakland. Oof!
27. Angels: The bright spot this season? Albert Pujols tying Willie Mays at the 660-HR mark.
28. Red Sox: Normally when Boston starts the season in putrid fashion, you expect a late run. Opening this year 6-18, eh, not good.
29. Diamondbacks: Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall is an unrestricted free agent. His father played in the CFL. Can Taylor hit a fastball?
30. Pirates: That 2021 overall first round draft pick is looking pretty good.
After going 1-2 last week, I rank 31st on this list.
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Thursday
Twins at White Sox: Love the White Sox overall; don’t like this matchup for them. Twins righty Kenta Maeda (5-1, 2.43) just outdueled A.L. Cy Young favorite Shane Bieber. He’ll have confidence to shine considering he’s 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA lifetime vs. Chicago. TWINS
Blue Jays at Yankees: The Yankees need to get it together over the final stretch if they want to make the postseason. Masahiro Tanaka (2-2, 3.16) gives them a good chance in this one. Lifetime he’s 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA against Toronto. YANKEES
Mets at Phillies: The Phillies have a wild-card to play for and aren’t about to lose the series-finale before the Jays arrive. Must-win mode for Philly. PHILLIES
HOME RUN BRYCE HARPER!!!!!!!!!!!!
5-0 PHILLIES!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/rMHYv6Sx0W
— Justin Lever ðŸ¦…ðŸ’šâš¾ï¸ (@JustinLever3) September 12, 2020
Last week: 1-2
Season: 11-8