MLB PLAYOFFS POWER RANKINGS: How all 10 teams stack up heading into October
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After a wild season that featured breakout stars, unbelievable streaks, and a whole bunch of home runs, the MLB postseason field is now set.
The playoffs will kick off with a pair of sudden death Wild Card games set for October 3 and 4. After that, the remaining teams will have to navigate two full rounds of action before reaching baseball's ultimate destination: the World Series.
While the playoffs are often referred to as a crapshoot, it's not as if all 10 postseason teams have an equal shot at winning the Fall Classic. Below, we ranked the chances of every squad remaining in the hunt for the Commissioner's Trophy. All stats are through September 28.
10. Minnesota Twins
Seed: No. 5 in AL, will play at the Yankees in AL Wild Card game.
Record: 83-76
Run differential: +21
Best position player: Byron Buxton — .255/.317/.418, 16 HR, 28 SB, many highlight reel catches
Best pitcher: Ervin Santana — 16-8, 3.28 ERA, 7.1 K/9, 1.126 WHIP
One thing to know: After going 59-103 in 2016, the Twins are the first team in history to lose more than 100 games and qualify for the postseason the following year. They surely wish they still had closer Brandon Kintzler, who was traded to the Nationals in July before a late playoff push.
9. Colorado Rockies
Seed: No. 5 in NL, will play at the Diamondbacks in NL Wild Card game.
Record: 86-73
Run differential: +64
Best position player: Charlie Blackmon — .328/.397/.598, 36 HR, 100 RBI, 14 SB
Best pitcher: Jon Gray — 10-4, 3.67 ERA, 9.1 K/9, 1.296
One thing to know: The Rockies survived a series of late challenges to take the National League's second Wild Card, a spot they've occupied since the first half of the season. Blackmon now owns the league record for most RBI by a leadoff hitter.
8. New York Yankees
Seed: No. 4 in AL, will play at home versus the Twins in AL Wild Card game.
Record: 89-70
Run differential: +194
Best position player: Aaron Judge — .284/.421/.625, 51 HR, 112 RBI, 125 BB
Best pitcher: Luis Severino — 14-6, 2.98 ERA, 10.7 K/9, 1.040 WHIP
One thing to know: A generation ago, the Yankees were known for spending endless sums to bring in premium free agents, but this year's roster looks a lot different than those teams. Between Judge, Gary Sanchez, Starlin Castro, Didi Gregorius, and Aaron Hicks — all 27 or younger — the Bronx Bombers have a consistently dangerous lineup.
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