MLB Power Rankings: Yankees Keep Pace In Playoff Race

1 of 10

Sep 19, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder

Michael Cuddyer

(23) is tagged out to end the game by New York Yankees third baseman

Chase Headley

(12) during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

MLB Power Rankings Week 25

As we head into the second to last week of the MLB season, we only know one playoff team for sure; the St. Louis Cardinals. But, is that enough to keep them in the top spot of our rankings, as they have been struggling, by their standards, of late?

A reason for their recent struggles is the inability to beat the two teams trailing them in the NL Central; the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs. Were either of those teams able to topple the Cardinals? Will it be an all NL Central party at the top of the rankings?

In the American League, there is even less set in stone. While the Kansas City Royals seemingly have the AL Central locked up, they have yet to clinch. That is about it when it comes to what looks like surefire playoff teams in the AL, as the AL East has two teams (Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees) fighting for playoff position, while the AL West has three (Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros). The AL West also has a new leader after a wild week of games.

Who is leading the AL Central? Who is the top team in our MLB Power Rankings? You will have continue on in the slideshow and find out!

More from New York Yankees

30. Philadelphia Phillies (56-94) The strong play to start the second half seems like a farcry for the Phillies. More recently, they have looked more like the Phillies from the first half, getting beat more often than not. The Phillies are currently riding a six-game losing streak, dropping eight of their last 11 games. The Phillies are having trouble producing many runs, and their pitchers are struggling to keep opposing offenses from doing the same. It equals many poor results, as they are just waiting for the season to be over. They have multiple players eating innings right now, such as Adam Morgan, David Buchanan and Jerome Williams that you question if they would even be on the roster of any other MLB team.

29. Milwaukee Brewers (63-86) Losers of 10 of their last 12 games, the Brewers snapped their eight game losing streak Sunday in the series finale against the Reds. Not much is going right recently for the Brewers judging by their recent record. Jimmy Nelson will have to miss his next start with a hand injury. Taylor Jungmann, who has been a bright spot this season, also got crushed in his last start as fatigue may be starting to play a factor in his performance. The Brewers may just be playing out the stretch of the season, but they can have a big impact on the playoff race this week with series against the Cubs and Cardinals on the docket.

28. Atlanta Braves (60-90) The only thing keeping the Phillies from the cellar right now is a series they finished up with the Phillies, which they swept. That was enough to push the Braves away from last place in our MLB Power Rankings, as it is the first time they have won more than one consecutive game since August 6th-8th against the Marlins. They were all of the 2-1 variety, which speaks as much volume to the inept offenses both teams possess than dominant pitching performances. Unfortunately for Shelby Miller, he had to pitch against the Blue Jays and not the Phillies, so his winless streak now sits at 22 starts.

Next: Arenado continues to impress

Home/New York Yankees

MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees Keep Pace In Playoff Race

By Kenneth Teape | Sep 21, 2015