MLB power rankings: Yankees climb back into race for AL East title Gabe Lacques, USA TODAYSeptember 8, 2025 at 4:35 AM 0 They've been nondescript and largely underwhelming all year. Suddenly, though, the New York Yankees have a puncher's chance at a prime time spot in the playoffs.
- - MLB power rankings: Yankees climb back into race for AL East title
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAYSeptember 8, 2025 at 4:35 AM
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They've been nondescript and largely underwhelming all year. Suddenly, though, the New York Yankees have a puncher's chance at a prime time spot in the playoffs.
The Yankees finished off their season series with the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by winning two of three at Yankee Stadium and suddenly, with 19 games left in the season, are just two games out of the American League East lead.
Couple that with the putrid play of contenders in the AL West and the East champion is virtually assured a top two seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
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It's all surprising stuff for a Yankee team that was 6 ½ games out just two weeks ago, and in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Now, they've surged three spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings, reaching No. 6.
While New York has a half-dozen challenging upcoming games against Detroit and Boston, it will finish the season with seven games against Baltimore and three apiece vs. the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota, all well under .500. Toronto, however, does hold the tiebreaker thanks to winning the season series. Yet what once felt like settled business is once again a race.
A look at our rankings:
Giancarlo Stanton watches his solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays.1. Milwaukee Brewers (-) -
On pace to win an even 100 games.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (-) -
Smooth September disrupted by Trea Turner's hamstring strain.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (-) -
Anthony Santander (remember him?) slated to start rehab assignment.
4. Chicago Cubs (+1) -
Oh, no: Closer Daniel Plascencia has shoulder injury.
5. Detroit Tigers (-1) -
"Pitching chaos" is back due to rotation struggles behind Tarik Skubal.
6. New York Yankees (+3) -
How many extra bases will Aaron Judge's throwing arm cost them?
7. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1) -
Jack Dreyer shaping up to be pivotal piece of postseason bullpen.
8. Boston Red Sox (-1) -
600 career wins for Alex Cora trailing only Terry Francona (744) and Joe Cronin (1,071) in club history.
9. San Diego Padres (-1) -
Five-game skid softened by Dodgers' woes; just one game out.
10. Houston Astros (-) -
Framber Valdez loses first start after drilling own catcher in chest.
11. New York Mets (-) -
Juan Soto update: 38 homers, 29 steals, .928 OPS.
12. Seattle Mariners (-) -
Amid grim September, Cal Raleigh one homer shy of Mickey Mantle's record for a switch-hitter.
13. Texas Rangers (+1) -
Reliever Shawn Armstrong with a 0.83 ERA in second half.
14. Kansas City Royals (-1) -
Bobby Witt Jr. slowed by back spasms.
15. Cleveland Guardians (+2) -
José Ramírez passes Jim Thome for No. 2 on Guardians' all-time RBI list.
Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record with 2,131.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6AraKHg class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record with 2,131.
">Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record with 2,131.
" src=https://ift.tt/6AraKHg class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. gets a base hit in the eighth inning of his 2,131st consecutive game September 6, 1995.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/E85Xevl class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. gets a base hit in the eighth inning of his 2,131st consecutive game September 6, 1995.
">Cal Ripken Jr. gets a base hit in the eighth inning of his 2,131st consecutive game September 6, 1995.
" src=https://ift.tt/E85Xevl class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges fans as the game became official to set the record of 2,131 consecutive games played, September 6, 1995.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qwWbHO9 class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges fans as the game became official to set the record of 2,131 consecutive games played, September 6, 1995.
">Cal Ripken Jr. acknowledges fans as the game became official to set the record of 2,131 consecutive games played, September 6, 1995.
" src=https://ift.tt/qwWbHO9 class=caas-img>Kelly Ripken holds son Ryan and watches on September 6, 1995.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DfBzc7G class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Kelly Ripken holds son Ryan and watches on September 6, 1995.
">Kelly Ripken holds son Ryan and watches on September 6, 1995.
" src=https://ift.tt/DfBzc7G class=caas-img>Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles shakes hands with fans at Camden Yards on September 6, 1995.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HLb5Q43 class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles shakes hands with fans at Camden Yards on September 6, 1995.
">Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles shakes hands with fans at Camden Yards on September 6, 1995.
" src=https://ift.tt/HLb5Q43 class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. raises his arms to acknowledge the fans as he takes a victory lap around Camden Yards.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/24ZgUa6 class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. raises his arms to acknowledge the fans as he takes a victory lap around Camden Yards.
">Cal Ripken Jr. raises his arms to acknowledge the fans as he takes a victory lap around Camden Yards.
" src=https://ift.tt/24ZgUa6 class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. hugs his wife Kelly during a post-game ceremony.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HCGwekR class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. hugs his wife Kelly during a post-game ceremony.
">Cal Ripken Jr. hugs his wife Kelly during a post-game ceremony.
" src=https://ift.tt/HCGwekR class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd as he is driven around the field during a post-game ceremony.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iSGMPDW class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd as he is driven around the field during a post-game ceremony.
">Cal Ripken Jr. waves to the crowd as he is driven around the field during a post-game ceremony.
" src=https://ift.tt/iSGMPDW class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. reaches over the outfield wall to shake hands with cheering fans as one fan falls over the wall at Camden Yards.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yqtlegG class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. reaches over the outfield wall to shake hands with cheering fans as one fan falls over the wall at Camden Yards.
">Cal Ripken Jr. reaches over the outfield wall to shake hands with cheering fans as one fan falls over the wall at Camden Yards.
" src=https://ift.tt/yqtlegG class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. waves to fans during a parade in his honor.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1A7THj3 class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. waves to fans during a parade in his honor.
">Cal Ripken Jr. waves to fans during a parade in his honor.
" src=https://ift.tt/1A7THj3 class=caas-img>Cal Ripken, Jr. autographs a baseball bat before presenting it to US President Bill Clinton, his daughter Chelsea and Vice President Al Gore.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qrEJBHG class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken, Jr. autographs a baseball bat before presenting it to US President Bill Clinton, his daughter Chelsea and Vice President Al Gore.
">Cal Ripken, Jr. autographs a baseball bat before presenting it to US President Bill Clinton, his daughter Chelsea and Vice President Al Gore.
" src=https://ift.tt/qrEJBHG class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. runs around the crowd at Camden Yards in Baltimore greeting fans.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yEVwWfK class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. runs around the crowd at Camden Yards in Baltimore greeting fans.
">Cal Ripken Jr. runs around the crowd at Camden Yards in Baltimore greeting fans.
" src=https://ift.tt/yEVwWfK class=caas-img>Cal Ripken Jr. tips his hat to the fans in the middle of the fifth inning at Camden Yards.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z9gYOyj class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken Jr. tips his hat to the fans in the middle of the fifth inning at Camden Yards.
">Cal Ripken Jr. tips his hat to the fans in the middle of the fifth inning at Camden Yards.
" src=https://ift.tt/Z9gYOyj class=caas-img>Cal Ripken signs autographs for fans at Camden Yards before a game against the California Angels during which he broke Lou Gehrig''s record.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UjXOwBa class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken signs autographs for fans at Camden Yards before a game against the California Angels during which he broke Lou Gehrig''s record.
">Cal Ripken signs autographs for fans at Camden Yards before a game against the California Angels during which he broke Lou Gehrig''s record.
" src=https://ift.tt/UjXOwBa class=caas-img> Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles gets a hug from Ken Singleton on September 6, 1995.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PYkBXpU class=caas-img data-headline="Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later" data-caption="
Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles gets a hug from Ken Singleton on September 6, 1995.
"> Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles gets a hug from Ken Singleton on September 6, 1995.
" src=https://ift.tt/PYkBXpU class=caas-img>
1 / 15Remembering Cal Ripken Jr.'s 'Iron Man' night 30 years later
Cal Ripken shakes hands with fans after breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record with 2,131.
16. San Francisco Giants (-) -
Even six shutout innings can't get 300-hunter Justin Verlander a win.
17. Cincinnati Reds (-1) -
Hunter Greene strikes out 12 for third time this year as Reds snag series from Mets.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (-) -
Briefly crawl above .500 for first time since July 1.
19. St. Louis Cardinals (-) -
Jordan Walker ends an 0-for-25 skid in fine fashion - a walk-off double.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (-) -
Playoff drive stunted by closer Pete Fairbanks two losses and blown save in seven-game span.
21. Los Angeles Angels (-) -
Top starter Jose Soriano has 2.47 ERA on road, but 4.50 at Angel Stadium.
22. Miami Marlins (-) -
Brian Navarreto hits first big league home run five years after debut.
23. Baltimore Orioles (+3) -
A 5-1 run against NL West powers San Diego and Los Angeles.
24. Atlanta Braves (-1) -
Chris Sale gives up just two runs in 12 ⅔ innings in return from rib cage injury.
25. Athletics (-) -
Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers should both top 30-homer mark on next trip to Yolo County.
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1) -
Bubba Chandler gives up nine runs to Brewers in first career start.
27. Minnesota Twins (-3) -
Pablo Lopez returns from three-month absence with six strong innings.
28. Washington Nationals (-) -
Josiah Gray makes first rehab start, 17 months after last appearance.
29. Chicago White Sox (-) -
Dominic Fletcher, 28, makes long-awaited return to majors.
30. Colorado Rockies (-) -
100th loss comes in embarrassing brawl-marred game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Yankees climb back up in AL East standings
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