MLB Power Rankings: Football Edition

Sep 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Rajai Davis (right) and shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) celebrate after the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to believe, but there are just three weeks left in baseball’s regular season. With the season at its home stretch, the playoff picture has become very clear, however, there are still plenty of things still up in the air, and for the first time in months, our No. 1 spot was a bit unclear. The St. Louis Cardinals have lost eight of their last 11 games.

With the NFL season opening up this past weekend and the college season is full swing, we thought it would be appropriate to relate every comment somehow back to football. Let’s give it a try.

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 24 of the 2015 baseball season.

Sep 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) tags out New York Mets Eric Young Jr. (1) trying to steal during the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

30. Atlanta Braves (56-88)

At least SEC football has started.

Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly on the field prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

29. Philadelphia Phillies (56-88)

Can Chip Kelly come fix this team too?

Sep 11, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after committing a fielding error against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

28. Colorado Rockies (60-83)

At least someone in Denver can play defense.

Sep 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher J.J. Hoover throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

27. Cincinnati Reds (60-82)

At least someone in Cincinnati can play defense.

Sep 12, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins manager Dan Jennings before a game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

26. Miami Marlins (61-82)

Who is fired first: Dan Jennings or Joe Philbin?

Sep 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia (26) leads off of second base after hitting a double to end a perfect game bid by Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis (not pictured) in the eighth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

25. Oakland Athletics (61-82)

Ok, so there apparently is no hope outside of basketball season for Oakland sports.

Sep 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) walks off the field after the Lions were beat by the San Diego Chargers 33-28 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

24. Detroit Tigers (65-77)

The Detroit Lions … Another great start and disappointing finish.

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) passes the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

23. Milwaukee Brewers (61-81)

The Brewers are trying to get Aaron Rodgers to pitch in the offseason.

Sep 13, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox short stop Xander Bogaerts (2) is congratulated by third baseman Deven Marrero (16) after scoring in the thirteenth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Red Sox won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports

22. Boston Red Sox (68-74)

Maybe the Red Sox just aren’t cheating enough?

Sep 13, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Yangervis Solarte (26) is unable to control the ball against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

21. San Diego Padres (67-77)

At least one team can win in this town … please don’t move the Chargers away.

Sep 11, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) and Seattle Mariners catcher John Hicks (6) wait on the mound for a talk with the pitching coach during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

20. Seattle Mariners (69-75)

Seattle fans be like “Good thing the Mariners don’t have to play St. Louis.”

Jul 28, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (left) and inside linebackers intern and preseason coach Jen Welter during a press conference at the teams training facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

19. Arizona Diamondbacks (68-75)

Is Bruce Arians the coolest coach in sports?

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Micah Johnson (7) makes a throw during the game against the Minnesota Twins at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

18. Chicago White Sox (67-74)

So do White Sox and Cubs fans come together on Sundays to watch the Bears?

Sep 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) calls a play against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee Titans defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

17. Tampa Bay Rays (69-73)

If there’s any consolation in Jameis Winston’s poor start, he joined Brett Favre as the last two quarterbacks to throw an interception on their first pass attempt.

Sep 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) RBI single during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

16. Baltimore Orioles (69-73)

The Ravens could have used some offense from the Orioles, who score seven off Johnny Cueto on Sunday night.

Sep 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) and shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Cleveland won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

15. Cleveland Indians (70-71)

Apparently the Indians aren’t the only team in Cleveland that gets off to a slow start.

Sep 13, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Huston Street (16) stands on the mound after giving up a 3-run home run to Houston Astros third baseman Jed Lowrie (not pictured) in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Astros won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

14. Los Angeles Angels (72-70)

Will LA have a football team next fall? I say yes and make Micky Mouse the quarterback.

Sep 13, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden (L) talks to head linesman Jerry Bergman (91) on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Dolphins won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

13. Washington Nationals (72-70)

Oh boy. It is going to be a very long baseball offseason in Washington.

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Twins right fielder Torii Hunter (48) and Minnesota Twins designated hitter Miguel Sano (22)celebrate after defeating the Chicago White Sox 7-0 at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

12. Minnesota Twins (74-68)

Could the Twins and Vikings both squeeze into the playoffs as Wild Card teams?

Jun 17, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers former head coach George Seifert addresses the media regarding his selection to the 49ers Hall of Fame at the 49ers headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

11. San Francisco Giants (75-68)

One of these days the Giants are going to have to hire George Seifert or something so they can learn how to repeat.

Sep 12, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Koda Martin (75) is congratulated after falling on a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown against the Ball State Cardinals in the second half at Kyle Field. Aggies won 56 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

10. Texas Rangers (75-67)

Are there more ranked Texas college football teams or counties in the state of Delaware?

Sep 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI double against the Oakland Athletics against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

9. Houston Astros (77-66)

I think starting Jose Altuve at quarterback for the Texans might be entertaining. At least more so than Brian Hoyer.

Sep 11, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) stands for the national anthem before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

8. New York Yankees (78-64)

Bet Joe Girardi would have ran the ball on 3rd and goal. That cost the New York Giants on Sunday night.

Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks guard Jerian Grant (13) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center. The Knicks won the game in overtime, 84-81. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

7. New York Mets (82-61)

So are the Giants the worst team in New York, even including the Jets? Oh wait, there’s still the Knicks.

Sep 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs with the ball while running back Paul Perkins (24) and running back Nate Meadors (22) run on the outside against the UNLV Rebels during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-60)

If the playoffs started today, the Dodgers would be in, but would UCLA also be in?

Sep 12, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Corey Acker (36) breaks through a tackle during the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

5. Chicago Cubs (82-60)

Are the Northwestern Wildcats better than the Chicago Bears?

Sep 13, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

4. Toronto Blue Jays (82-61)

When is the Grey Cup again?

Sep 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

3. Kansas City Royals (84-58)

What’s worse: Johnny Cueto’s 9.57 ERA in his last five starts or that the Chiefs still don’t have a wide receiver touchdown since January of 2014?

Sep 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny gets ready in the dugout at the beginning of a game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

1. St. Louis Cardinals (89-54)

It’s just not fair. St. Louis has the best baseball team and their football team just defeated the NFC Champions. How long the Rams are their football team, though, is still to be determined.

Next: Detroit Tigers: Five Players that will not be back in 2016