And then there were 12. Two spots were clinched on the final day of the season, and however difficult it may have been for the Phillies and Astros to get in, and however much their fans may have had to sweat the last day, all that is behind them now: They’re in the postseason. They made it. One of these 12 teams is going to be popping champagne in a month. Which one will it be? Here’s our Power Rankings’ best guess.
These rankings, as always, are compiled from MLB.com contributors whose names you can find at the bottom of this (and every) piece, but the words are mine. If you dislike the rankings, yell at all of us. But if you dislike the words, feel free to yell at me.
1. Brewers
The best season in franchise history, during the best era in franchise history, with their best, most dominant starting pitcher in memory, with a deep, versatile roster that’s the envy of baseball. If it’s ever going to happen, it’s going to happen now.
2. Dodgers
So, here they are: Back trying to become the first team to win three straight World Series this century. They look a little thinner than they did last year, and remember, they just barely won last year. But no one knows what it takes more than this team.
3. Rays
In their first year back at the Trop, the Rays have been the best team in baseball at home, going 55-26 in St. Petersburg. If they can keep that going, considering they have home-field advantage until the World Series (at least), they're bound to have a great October.
4. Braves
The Braves got back on top in the NL East, something that had eluded them the past couple of years after six straight division titles. But none of it will mean all that much if they can’t win their first postseason series since winning the World Series in 2021.
5. Yankees
It really may just all come down to whether Aaron Judge can be anything like the Aaron Judge the Yankees need him to be. The pitching has been the strength all year, and can carry them … but, as always, it still feels like Judge or bust.
6. Cubs
The Cubs have an incredible offense, a solid defense and … a pitching staff with a seemingly infinite number of questions. So it’s all up in the air how they’ll do this postseason. But their games promise to be electric.
7. Red Sox
They limped into the playoffs a little bit, but considering where this team was in early June, it feels almost churlish to get too upset about that now. The Red Sox are in the playoffs … with a chance to deliver an all-timer crusher of a blow to their rivals.
8. Padres
Remember when we were all worried about Fernando Tatis Jr.? He has been one of the best players in baseball for a few months now, and let’s not forget: This is a guy with a history of some big postseason moments. You won’t want to miss a single at-bat he takes this week.
9. Phillies
As disastrous as the last week or so was, the Phillies are back in the only part of their season they’re going to be remembered for: the postseason. If they can get hot right now, no one will remember how the regular season ended. But if they get wiped out in Atlanta … it’s all anyone will be talking about all offseason.
10. Guardians
At a certain level, it is rather wild that that the Guardians won their third consecutive division title despite getting the worst season of José Ramírez’s career. But now that they’ve made it, it sure feels like he is going to have some sort of big moment in the ALDS, doesn’t it? He and his team have some days off to prepare themselves.
11. White Sox
It is truly remarkable that the White Sox are here, in the postseason, after losing 100-plus games the past three years. This season is a success no matter what happens in the month ahead. But now that they’re here, they might as well keep going … particularly if they can advance to the Division Series and get their fans their first postseason home game in five years.
12. Astros
The route they took to get here was obviously not the way they planned it -- this was their worst winning percentage in a full season since 2014 -- but the Astros are back in the postseason for the 10th time in the past 12 years. And even better: They get to start it at home.
Voters: Jason Catania, Dan Cichalski, Theo DeRosa, Doug Gausepohl, Rick Gold, Jared Greenspan, Will Leitch, Brent Maguire, Travis Miller, Brian Murphy, Arturo Pardavila, Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru, Andrew Simon, David Venn, Zac Vierra, Andy Werle.