MLB Power Rankings: New York Mets Take Home NL East Crown
Sep 27, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
18. Baltimore Orioles (76-79) The Orioles fought back to .500 putting the Nationals out of their misery last week before getting beat by the Red Sox. They will be hard pressed to get back to .500 as they face the Blue Jays and Yankees to finish the season, two teams still with a lot to play for. The pitching staff really let down the Orioles this season, as they could be facing a rebuild of sorts with all of the free agents they have this offseason and next. One guy who will be around though is Manny Machado, who is a superstar in the making if he has no€™t already reached that level.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (75-81) The Diamondbacks were able to have some success on their last road trip of the season, going 6-4. It leaves them with a chance to finish the season .500 if they can sweep both series at home; first against the Rockies then against the Astros. If they finish .500, it likely means that they played a big spoiler role and ruined the Astros season. It will no€™t be easy, but for a team playing out the stretch run of the season, it is a nice goal to set to go into the offseason on a high note.
16. Boston Red Sox (75-80) It may be too little too late for the Red Sox, but they have a chance to stick it to their rivals in the Yankees one more time this week. Also, the Red Sox are fighting to get back to .500, a thing that seemed farfetched in mid-August when the Red Sox were 14-games under .500. The Red Sox also have one of the feel good stories of the season in Rich Hill. Hill was toiling in Independent League baseball this season, with his career in doubt. The Red Sox gave him a call and he has turned it into a chance next season. All he has done is throw 23 innings with 30 strikeouts and only three runs allowed on 10 hits and two walks. That is quite a way to return to the majors.
Next: Nationals Are Put Out Of Their Misery