With the MLB season winding down, the final month should be exciting. The AL West is a three-way race, while most of the other divisions are locked up. Who will finish strong? Who will flame out? That is yet to be seen, but here are the MLB power rankings for week 22.
1. Atlanta Braves +/-0
The Braves continue to be the strongest team in baseball. They are just as good on the road as they are when they play in Atlanta. Can anyone dethrone them?
2. LA Dodgers +1
The Dodgers move up one spot as they have been dominant in NL play. They made the right moves at the deadline and have looked like real contenders ever since.
3. Baltimore Orioles -1
The Orioles cling to the top spot in the AL East coming off another strong week. The concern though is that they are healthy and the Rays are not, yet the Rays are not falling off. Can a strong regular season lead to a strong postseason, or are Baltimore fans in for a disappointing October?
4. Tampa Bay Rays +/- 0
The Rays have held steady in spite of their health misfortunes. This is what we have come to expect from Tampa, always in it no matter what.
5. Milwaukee Brewers +/- 0
The Milwaukee offense has been on fire in August scoring five or more runs in 14 of their August games. Pair that with an eight-game win streak, and the Crew are liking what they are seeing.
6. Seatle Mariners + 3
The Mariners may love they have jumped up to six in these power rankings, but they are ecstatic to be sitting on top of the AL West with one month to go.
7. Texas Rangers -1
The Rangers have started to look less consistent as of late, and they fell off the deep end this week. They still have one of the best offenses in the league, and will still be dangerous come October.
8. Houston Astros +/-0
Houston now must contend with the Rangers and the Mariners. They may not win this division, but they still have to be one of the top picks to win the AL.
9. Philadelphia Phillies +1
Philadelphia is one of the scariest teams to face in the playoffs. Their pitching is starting to look great, and they have a roster built to win.
10. Toronto Blue Jays -3
Toronto is a top-six team in the AL, the problem is the Twins are getting into the playoffs as division winners, and Toronto is on the outside looking in. They need to make a run in this final month or they will not make the wildcard.
11. Chicago Cubs +/-0
12. Minnesota Twins +/-0
13. Arizona Diamondbacks +2
14. Boston Red Sox +/-0
15. San Francisco Giants -2
16. Cincinnati Reds +/-0
17. Miami Marlins +/-0
18. New York Yankees +3
19. Cleveland Guardians +/-0
20. LA Angels -2
21. San Diego Padres -2
22. Washington Nationals +2
23. Detroit Tigers +/-0
24. New Your Mets -2
25. Pittsburgh Pirates +/-0
26. St. Louis Cardinals +/-0
27. Chicago White Sox +/-0
28. Colorado Rockies +/-0
29. Kansas City Royals +/-0
30. Oakland Athletics +/-0
Catch Vince live every Sunday on the Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show, or listen to all his content on The Sports Stove Podcast. Follow Vince on Twitter for more MLB opinions.