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.
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 updated rankings:
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.
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.