MLB Power Rankings 2017: Top 10 Teams, Playoffs Edition

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Who’s in and who’s going home? The MLB Playoffs edition of your MLB Power Rankings 2017. The top 10 teams in baseball, ranked by their likely October dominance.

(Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Seesaw Sports debate, where Dan Salem and Todd Salem throw down on the NFL, MLB, NBA, and more, only on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

 

Todd Salem:

We have hit mid-August, and the MLB season is getting interesting… at least in the American League. The National League playoff picture seems all but decided, outside of the NL Central. But in the American League, only one spot seems sewn up at this point.

This feels like a good time for a power rank of the top 10 teams in baseball, AKA the teams that should make the playoffs. Of course, talent doesn’t always align with slotting availability. That’s just how the chips fall.

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1) Los Angeles Dodgers

Obviously the top team. Nothing to add here. They may set the all-time wins record if Clayton Kershaw comes off the DL soon.

2) Boston Red Sox

The pitching is really good. We had just been waiting for the hitting, and it seems like we don’t have to wait any longer. It’s here.

3) Houston Astros

No weaknesses on offense; lots of weaknesses on the pitching staff, but they are also cruising to the postseason.

4) Washington Nationals

They have a case for the second or third spot, but the injury to Bryce Harper worries me. In a good lineup, he is the most fearsome hitter. This team never seems to stay healthy late in the season.

5) Arizona Diamondbacks

They’ve been scuffling a bit, but I still like their balance more than any other roster remaining. Paul Goldschmidt is the most MVP-ish non-MVP in baseball. Perhaps he wins one this season.

6) Colorado Rockies

Surprisingly capable pitching has been backed by an always great lineup. Nolan Arenado got hurt over the weekend, but x-rays were negative.

7) Cleveland Indians

Something feels lacking from last season, but all the pieces are still here. The starting pitching is especially nasty, assuming they remain healthy through September this season.

8) Chicago Cubs

See the first sentence of my Cleveland Indians entry.

Final Two Spots

That’s eight teams with two slots remaining. I did the easy part, and now I leave the heavy lifting to you! Sucker! Who are the two best teams remaining? We have a slew of AL teams vying for the postseason and some hangers-on in the NL Central as well. Here are your options:

St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
Los Angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners
Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays

 

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Dan Salem:

I’d be shocked if the Cubs don’t hang on to win the NL Central, so ranking them eighth is fair. I won’t quibble with their slotting, although I feel like our ninth team is better. The entire National League is locked up, barring any more unforeseen injuries or a mammoth collapse by Chicago. Both St. Louis and Milwaukee have positive point differentials, but it’s not enough this season.

Shuffling through the flurry of above average American League teams is a challenge. Since point differential tells the entire story in the NL, we must use it to assess the AL as well. Only one team in the playoffs discussion has impressed in this area. They are ranked ninth, but could easily be a few spots higher. No other AL team within reasonable striking distance and holding a winning record has a positive differential. I’m eliminating any team with a losing record, for that matter. So who is hot right now?

9) New York Yankees

Despite losing two of three to Boston over the weekend, New York is in firm control of the top wildcard spot. As long as their hitting is hot, the Yankees are a force. Their +110 point differential is no fluke.

10) Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have risen from the ashes without their best player. Los Angeles is 7-3 over their last ten games and has nearly crept into the positive of point differential. Their winning record and even better home record secures them the final spot in the playoffs and our MLB Power Rankings 2017.

 

Connect With Our Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor, Staff Writer, and Featured Vlogger at BuzzChomp. He’s also a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone, as well as an Actor, Writer, Director and Producer. Get lost in his Youtube comedy channel PillowTalk TV. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram.

Todd Salem is a Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also the New York Giants Lead Writer at Pro Football Spot, a Staff Writer for NFL Spinzone, and a Featured Columnist at College Sports Madness, among others. Follow him on Twitter.

 

 

MLB Power Rankings 2017 Photo Credits: Dodgers Nation, Bleacher Report and Sporting News

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