MCB’s MLB Playoff Power Rankings: Wild Card Round

Sep 19, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Josh Harrison (5) and left fielder Felix Pie (26) react after defeating the San Diego Padres at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 10-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

10. Cincinnati Reds (90-72)

The Cincinnati Reds won fewer games than any other playoff team, but the NL Central was a tough division and they’re still a quality team. That being said, their lefy-heavy batting lineup would appear to be a poor matchup against Pittsburgh’s Francisco Liriano in the NL Wild Card coin flip game.

9. Tampa Bay Rays (92-71)

They needed a 163rd game to do it, but the Rays once again find themselves back in the postseason. They won’t have ace starter David Price available for the Wild Card game in Cleveland, but even so, they’re probably an even matchup with the Indians. It’s not fun that they’ll have to go on the road again in a do-or-die scenario.

8. Cleveland Indians (92-70)

The Cleveland Indians ripped through their September schedule to finish only one game behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central and claim home field in the AL Wild Card game. They’re certainly one of the hotter teams in the game, but how will they respond to playing the likes of the Rays and Red Sox instead of the Twins and White Sox. The Indians finished the regular season with just a 36-52 record against teams who were .500 or better.

7. Pittsburgh Pirates (94-68)

The Pittsburgh Pirates couldn’t hold off the Cardinals for the division crown, but their 94-68 record was still good enough to clinch their first playoff spot since Jim Leyland was their manager in 1992. I think fans will consider this season a success no matter the outcome of the Wild Card coin flip game, but I’m sure they’d love a magical run to end a magical season.

Sep 27, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Brandon Moss (37) is greeted at the dugout after hitting a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

6. Atlanta Braves (96-66)

The Atlanta Braves shredded through a weak NL East, having the division pretty much wrapped up in August. Their boom-or-bust offense hit more home runs than any other NL team, but they also struck out more than any other NL team.

5. Detroit Tigers (93-69)

The Detroit Tigers simply don’t look like the same team with Miguel Cabrera hobbled in the clean-up spot. They very clearly have the best starting rotation of any team in the postseason, but the offense sputtered down the stretch without their MVP firing on all cylinders. Detroit was no-hit in the season finale in Miami, but expect their offense to roar back in October with the first-teamers back in the lineup.

4. Oakland Athletics (96-66)

The Oakland Athletics finished with 96 wins, but they played in perhaps the very worst division in all of baseball (hi Astros). That’s not to say that they’re not an excellent team, but the Detroit Tigers are a different beast. It’s interesting, though, that Josh Donaldson might be a better hitter than the hurting Miguel Caberea right now. Who would have thought that?

Sep 22, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) hits a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

3. St. Louis Cardinals (97-65)

The St. Louis Cardinals look very much like the best team in the National League, but are they that same team now that Allen Craig seems likely to be out for the entire playoffs? Matt Adams is going to have to continue to try to fill his shoes.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (92-70)

The Los Angeles Dodgers played like a very mediocre outside of a crazy hot stretch in the middle of the season, but they finished the year with 92 wins and will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. Clayton Kershaw might just be the game’s best pitcher these days and would be a real bummer to have to face twice in a short playoff series.

1. Boston Red Sox (97-65)

The Boston Red Sox finished the season tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the best record in baseball, but the Red Sox did it while competing in the toughest division of the tougher league. Boston finished with the best offensive output in all of baseball (5.3 runs per game) and they have a crazy good closer, but do they have enough starting pitching to carry them all the way? It looks like they might.