MLB Power Rankings: Detroit Tigers slip again

Sep 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; MLB umpires Tim Welke (3) and Tim Timmons (95) review a play in the ninth inning prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Labor Day has come and gone as the baseball season continues to dwindle down to its final three weeks. As the playoffs are within sight, the playoff picture is becoming very clear.

It has become crystal clear that the Detroit Tigers will not be involved in October baseball. Hopefully, the Tigers can rally to avoid finishing in last place in the AL Central, but at the moment, there ranking is reflective of eventually finishing as the second worst team in the American League.

We would like readers to know that these power rankings are based on just one opinion, and the difference of opinion between readers and fans is what makes the power rankings so fun to discuss. Please let us know how we did in the comments section below.

For our list, we took into account record, strength of schedule, run differential and other human elements such as injuries.

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As always just because a team is on 8-2 hot streak, they don’t automatically jump to the highest spots. It’s like my high school coach always used to say, “A team is never as good as its best win, and it’s never as bad as it’s worse loss.”

Lastly, readers should know, the rankings are serious, but the comments for each team are generally not. There are so many baseball articles analyzing the most small details on the web, we wanted to start out the week with a little fun.

Here are MCB’s MLB Power Rankings for Week 23 of the 2015 baseball season.

Sep 6, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) wipes his face after giving up a hit during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

30. Philadelphia Phillies (53-85)

There is a sign of hope Philadelphia .. the Phillies could catch the Braves before the end of the month.

Sep 7, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) is congratulated by first baseman Justin Morneau (33) after scoring during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

29. Colorado Rockies (57-80)

Last week to put up with team before football season!

Sep 5, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) in the dugout during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

28. Atlanta Braves (55-83)

12 straight losses! What is going on in Hot-lanta??

Sep 4, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings (26) walks back into the dugout during the first inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

27. Miami Marlins (57-81)

Dan Jenning’s seat is burning hot .. and that’s not just because of the weather in Florida.

Sep 7, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce (32) points to shortstop Eugenio Suarez (7) after the Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

26. Cincinnati Reds (57-79)

Lightning struck Great American Ballpark last week. It flat out looked like a scene from The Natural.

Sep 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Edward Mujica (49) pitches the ball against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

25. Oakland Athletics (59-79)

Don’t worry Athletics fans, the A’s are still better than the Raiders.

Sep 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Blaine Hardy (65) pitches in the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

24. Detroit Tigers (63-74)

Really not much else to say.

Sep 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zach Davies (27) pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

23. Milwaukee Brewers (61-75)

Is Zach Davies 12 years old?

Sep 7, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (25) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

22. Boston Red Sox (65-72)

What has gotten into Jackie Bradley Jr.?

Sep 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) pitches the ball against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

21. Seattle Mariners (66-72)

Hisashi Iwakuma for Cy Young?? Ok, not really .. but he has won five of his last six starts.

May 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (right) and former manager Ozzie Guillen chat during a ceremony on the day that the number of Paul Konerko was retired at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

20. Chicago White Sox (65-71)

Time to bring back Ozzie Guillen?

Sep 7, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) watches as Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (38) rounds the bases with a solo home run during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

19. San Diego Padres (65-73)

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

Sep 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Internet personality Grumpy Cat looks on prior to the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

18. Arizona Diamondbacks (66-72)

Grumpy cat day at Chase Field? Come on, this team isn’t that bad!

Sep 7, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) breaks his bat on the ground after striking out during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

17. Baltimore Orioles (65-72)

The birds are already flying south for the winter.

Aug 16, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Mike Aviles (4) congratulates designated hitter Ryan Raburn (9) after scoring in the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

16. Cleveland Indians (67-69)

Ryan Raburn? Really??

Sep 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly (33) reacts after Detroit Tigers left fielder Rajai Davis (20) hit a two run home run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

15. Tampa Bay Rays (67-70)

Although letting Rajai Davis beat you might be worse.

Sep 7, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen (49) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Minnesota won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

13. Minnesota Twins (71-66)

This team will eventually fade like everyone says right??

Sep 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (32) throws during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

12. San Francisco Giants (71-67)

The favorite to win the playoff consolation bracket.

Sep 7, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth (28) reacts after losing to the New York Mets 8-5 at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

11. Washington Nationals (71-66)

That’s right … Washington won’t even win the consolation bracket.

Sep 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Sam Dyson (47) flips the ball to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Texas won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

10. Texas Rangers (72-64)

Despite eight game above .500, the Rangers still have a minus-29 run differential.

Sep 5, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey watches from the dugout in the ninth inning of a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. The Mets won 7-0.Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

9. New York Mets (76-61)

Maybe Matt Harvey is more like Two-Faced than the Dark Knight?

Sep 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Michael Feliz (68) pitches the ball against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

8. Houston Astros (75-63)

The Astros have a plus-103 run differential but have just a two game lead over the Rangers in the AL West.

September 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) reacts following his last strike out for the complete game 2-1 victory against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

7. Los Angeles Dodgers (79-58)

Guess Clayton Kershaw’s “panic comment” worked.

Sep 7, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (31) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

6. New York Yankees (77-59)

Who the heck is Greg Bird?

Sep 7, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carls Edwards Jr. (6) pitches to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

5. Chicago Cubs (79-57)

Another rookie? You have to be joking.

Sep 7, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) hits an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

4. Toronto Blue Jays (78-59)

Toronto got a little bit of its own medicine on Monday.

Sep 7, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first shortstop Sean Rodriguez loses the ball during a play in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pittsburgh Pirates (81-55)

Strangely, Pittsburgh would rather play Los Angeles and New York than Milwaukee and Cincinnati. The Pirates are 9-0 versus the Dodgers and Mets combined yet just 10-19 against the Brewers and Reds this season.

Sep 7, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Paulo Orlando (16) is unable to catch this fly ball against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kansas City Royals (82-55)

Is it time to worry after being swept in Chicago??

Sep 7, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (31) is removed from the game against the Chicago Cubs by manager Mike Matheny (26) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

1. St. Louis Cardinals (87-50)

Is it time to worry about losing the last two games by a combined score, 16-1??

Next: Possible 2016 Tigers' rotation