Major League Baseball Power Rankings, September 25, 2017

For an explanation of how the SD Score is calculated, see below.

1 – Cleveland Indians (98-58); SD Score +3.35, Ranking Last Week – 1

The Indians have found a way to catch fire right before the playoffs. They are the team that no one wants to play.

2 – Los Angeles Dodgers (99-57) SD Score +2.20, Ranking Last Week – 2

The Dodgers are still tops in the NL, but a World Series berth doesn’t seem as likely as it once did.

3 – Houston Astros (95-60); SD Score +2.46, Ranking Last Week – 3

The Astros appear like they’re on track to get ready for a playoff run.

4 – Washington Nationals (94-61); SD Score +2.18, Ranking Last Week – 4

The Nationals have taken some losses lately, but they are still a dangerous team.

5 – Arizona Diamondbacks (90-66); SD Score +2.03, Ranking Last Week – 5

Arizona has boxed up home field for the Wild Card game. If they can get to the Divisional Round, they have an interesting opportunity to play a division foe.

6 – Boston Red Sox (91-64); SD Score +1.79, Ranking Last Week – 7

Boston is also red hot and will win the AL East.

7 – Chicago Cubs (87-68) SD Score +1.61, Ranking Last Week – 6

Chicago was able to hold off Milwaukee in their all-important series and should have the Central boxed up this week.

8 – New York Yankees (86-69); SD Score +2.68, Ranking Last Week – 8

Even though they will likely not win the East, there will be playoff baseball in New York.

9 – Colorado Rockies (82-68); SD Score +0.92, Ranking Last Week – 9

Colorado should make the postseason, but they need to beat up the Marlins before playing the Dodgers.

10 – Minnesota Twins (82-74); SD Score +0.57, Ranking Last Week – 11

The Twins are on their way to a Wild Card berth. Where they go from there is a mystery.

11 – Milwaukee Brewers (82-74); SD Score +0.35, Ranking Last Week – 10

After losing three of four to the Cubs, the Brewers will have to win at least four of their next six and hope Colorado free-falls.

12 – St. Louis Cardinals (81-74) SD Score +1.01, Ranking Last Week – 12

The Cardinals are in the same place as the Brewers and have to hope for Colorado to lose.

The below teams are out of the race:

13 – Los Angeles Angels (76-73); SD Score -0.23, Ranking Last Week – 13

14– Texas Rangers (76-79) SD Score +0.38, Ranking Last Week – 14

15 – Seattle Mariners (75-81); SD Score -0.36, Ranking Last Week – 15

16 – Baltimore Orioles (75-82); SD Score -0.88, Ranking Last Week – 16

17 – Kansas City Royals (76-79); SD Score -1.09, Ranking Last Week – 17

18 – Tampa Bay Rays (76-80); SD Score -0.45, Ranking Last Week – 18

19 – Miami Marlins (73-82); SD Score -0.53, Ranking Last Week – 19

20– Oakland A’s (72-83); SD Score -1.05, Ranking Last Week – 25 

21 – Pittsburgh Pirates (71-85); SD Score -1.31, Ranking Last Week – 20

22 – Toronto Blue Jays (73-83); SD Score -1.38, Ranking Last Week – 21

23 – Atlanta Braves (70-84); SD Score -1.06, Ranking Last Week – 22

24– New York Mets (66-89); SD Score -1.55, Ranking Last Week – 23

25 – Cincinnati Reds (66-90); SD Score -1.40, Ranking Last Week – 24   

26 – San Diego Padres (70-86); SD Score -2.84, Ranking Last Week – 26

27 – Detroit Tigers (62-94); SD Score -1.96, Ranking Last Week – 27

28 – Chicago White Sox (63-92); SD Score -1.48, Ranking Last Week – 28

29 – Philadelphia Phillies (62-94); SD Score -1.63, Ranking Last Week – 29

30 – San Francisco Giants (61-95); SD Score -2.30, Ranking Last Week – 30

SD Score explanation:

Run production is one of the best measures of how a team is performing and how dominant or bad they are.

The formula takes each team’s runs scored and runs allowed totals and how many standard deviations from the league average they are.

Example: 1927 Yankees

The 27 Yankees score 975 runs (1927 AL average was 762 and SD of team runs for the AL was about 115). Take the difference from the league average (975-762=213) and divide by the SD (115), the 1927 Yankees were 1.85 SD above the league average in runs scored.

They allowed 599 runs (the SD in runs allowed for the 1927 AL was about 88.5), which was 163 runs less than the league average. 163/88.5 gives us a 1.84 SD above the league average in runs allowed.

Add 1.85 and 1.84 to get a final SD Score of +3.69 for the 1927 Yankees, which is amazing.

(SD ranking explanation found in “Baseball Dynasties: The Greatest Teams of All Time” by Rob Neyer and Eddie Epstein)