Our marathon is sort of full with the dash proper across the proverbial nook. The 2024 Main League Baseball common season has simply seven days remaining earlier than we get into the postseason. Given the way in which the common season has gone — with no actually dominant groups and a playoff subject with many very proficient but flawed ballclubs — we must be in retailer for an October to recollect. 

Earlier than we get there, although, I’ve some enterprise. Historically right here within the Official Energy Rankings, that is my accountability week. That’s, I look again at my preseason predictions and provides myself props for the nice picks along with scolding myself for the unhealthy ones. I do not wish to go too in depth on any good ones (Phillies over Orioles World Sequence continues to be on the desk!) and there are many unhealthy (you may see my predictions right here and my pre-spring energy rankings right here if you want), however this time round I actually wish to concentrate on two groups specifically. 

On a group degree, I missed very badly on two golf equipment this season and it was each of the Central division champions. 

I picked the Brewers to complete final within the NL Central. 

(Pause for laughter)

Barely in my protection, I mentioned a number of occasions that the NL Central was essentially the most wide-open division in baseball and that not one of the 5 groups profitable it might shock me. Hopefully that stance is illustrated with my placement of the Brewers nineteenth in energy rankings. 

That is nonetheless unhealthy, although, clearly. 

The Brewers have been a tremendous story this season. They battled damage adversity to main gamers all through the season, together with Brandon Woodruff from the rotation to begin and All-Star nearer Devin Williams in spring coaching. They traded Corbin Burnes to the Orioles and misplaced their supervisor to the Cubs. Christian Yelich was superb the primary half and went down shortly after the All-Star break.

Irrespective of. This group exemplifies “subsequent man up.” Rookie Jackson Chourio picked up the slack when Yelich went down, following go well with from so many different teammates all season. Greater than a handful of different gamers deserve particular point out, however we’ll simply throw out a couple of names: William Contreras, Brice Turang, Willy Adames, Joey Ortiz. 

Fast abstract: Impeccable work, Brewers. Atrocious work, Matt. 

I had the Guardians ending fourth within the AL Central and slotted them twenty fourth in pre-spring energy rankings. Since I am massive on accountability, I am unable to cease there. Not in good religion. I wrote a number of occasions early within the season that they’d cool off. I lastly mentioned I used to be going to cease doubting them, however then they went right into a hunch, which included their unhealthy month of August. And when tasked with making playoff predictions in the beginning of September, I had the Guardians falling down to 3rd place. 

They usually acquired sizzling once more. 

I made a behavior of being unsuitable about this group and whereas I am pleased to shoulder a number of the blame — once more, I am massive on holding myself to account — the principle takeaway right here is to present the Guardians credit score. 

They needed to change future Corridor of Fame supervisor Terry Francona. They misplaced Shane Bieber from an already skinny rotation. Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen did not work out within the rotation. 

It did not matter. 

The Guardians’ bullpen has been the perfect in baseball by a mile all season. Credit score the members of the pitching employees doing that wonderful work — particularly Cy Younger candidate Emmanuel Clase — but in addition new supervisor Stephen Vogt. On the position-player facet, José Ramírez stays among the best and most underrated all-around gamers in baseball. Josh Naylor is an influence anchor in the course of the lineup whereas Steven Kwan was one of many league’s finest table-setters for a number of months. How about utility man David Fry? 

And so many extra. Just like the Brewers, the Guardians have been such an incredible group this season that the group collectively deserves excessive reward. 

Fast abstract: The Guardians rule, Matt drools. 

Be at liberty to search out me on social media and inform me how silly I’m for these and some other predictions. To any such feedback, the upcoming playoffs and the next rankings, I’ve however one phrase: Deliver it on.   

Largest Movers

Rk	Groups		Chg	Rcrd
1	Yankees	Carlos Rodón now has a 1.93 ERA in 4 September begins, a really nice development for the Yankees as they zero in on the AL East crown.	1	92-64
2	Dodgers	So many elements of Shohei Ohtani’s offensive stats this season are absurd, however how about this one? Heading into the 4th of July, Ohtani had 16 stolen bases in 84 video games. He is stolen 39 in 69 since.	2	93-63
3	Phillies	The final time the Phillies gained the NL East was 2011. They had been bounced from the NLDS by a wild card and their first baseman tore his Achilles on the final play. I will exit on a limb and say this yr will not yield the identical degree of catastrophe.	2	92-64
4	Padres	Not solely have they got a shot on the NL West title, the Padres might really find yourself with the perfect report in baseball. They had been 50-50 on July 19.	2	90-66
5	Guardians	The White Sox have been so terrible this season that they’ve tilted the data of their fellow AL Central groups and made them look higher than they really are, proper? Effectively, which may apply to the others, however the Guardians really went 8-5 in opposition to the White Sox. Their report is not skewed.	—	90-67
6	Diamondbacks	Corbin Carroll has 14 triples this season, tying Tony Womack (2000) for the single-season franchise report.	1	87-69
7	Brewers	The Brewers are certainly one of 5 groups to by no means win the World Sequence. The checklist was seven groups heading into 2019 and the Nationals and Rangers have come off the board since then.	4	89-67
8	Mets	How in regards to the superb early work we have seen from Luisangel Acuña on the backside of the order. The Mets simply hold getting extra harmful.	3	87-69
9	Astros	I’ve seen numerous Astros followers speaking trash in regards to the Rangers’ elimination from playoff competition and I am unable to inform you how a lot I like this. The Texas “rivalry” was pressured and had no juice in any respect for years. With the groups having gained the final two World Sequence now and that contentious 2023 ALCS, it’s a reliable top-shelf rivalry now.	—	85-71
10	Braves	Bear in mind in 2022 when the first-place Mets visited Atlanta within the ultimate week of the season and the Braves swept them? This time round it is not the division, however the Braves have an opportunity to repeat historical past beginning on Tuesday.	2	85-71
11	Tigers	What extra may even be mentioned? After being sellers on the commerce deadline, it is real looking for the Tigers to seize the fifth seed within the AL. That might seemingly imply avoiding the Astros and taking part in the Orioles. And, at this level, attending to play the Orioles looks like a present.	2	82-74
12	Orioles	By means of June 20, the Orioles had been on tempo to win 107 video games this season. They may not even get to 90.	4	86-70
13	Royals	Lower than a month in the past, the Royals hadn’t misplaced greater than 4 consecutive video games all season. They’ve now topped that quantity twice, reasonably emphatically. It is tough to have any confidence in a deep playoff run proper now, however there’s nonetheless time to get issues again on monitor.	3	82-74
14	Mariners	This will probably be completely no comfort for Mariners followers in the event that they miss the playoffs — nor ought to it’s — however this seems just like the fourth-straight profitable Seattle season. That hasn’t occurred since 2000-03.	—	80-76
15	Twins	Six video games in opposition to the Marlins and Orioles at residence might be a delicate touchdown for the Twins. They may nonetheless make this season particular. You by no means know, proper? Sure, I really feel you, Twins followers. I used to be rolling my eyes, too.	—	81-75
16	Cubs	It does not appear like the Cubs may have apparent openings on the position-player facet for subsequent season’s lineup as they head to the offseason, however the present group simply is not ok. Meaning some robust selections must be made by Jed Hoyer.	—	80-76
17	Cardinals	This actually might go all the way down to the wire: The Cardinals have not had back-to-back shedding seasons since 1994-95.	1	79-77
18	Crimson Sox	Kenley Jansen is now as much as 447 profession saves. That places him 31 away from Lee Smith for third all-time. Possibly he will be the third ever to 500 after Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman?	1	78-78
19	Rays	It is exhausting telling how the Rays use him subsequent season, however Drew Rasmussen, since coming back from elbow surgical procedure, has been excellent in 1-2 inning spurts, whether or not as an opener, center reliever or nearer.	2	78-78
20	Giants	Logan Webb has been certainly one of baseball’s largest workhorses once more, however this time round he is stumbled down the stretch. He has a 6.58 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in his final 5 begins.	2	77-79
21	Reds	A lot went unsuitable this season, particularly with accidents. Matt McLain did not play a single sport whereas Christian Encarnacion-Strand acquired simply 123 plate appearances, for instance. Hunter Greene and Elly De La Cruz, although, confirmed they’re foundational abilities for this group.	2	76-81
22	Rangers	A whole lot of stuff went south throughout this hangover of a season and a superb variety of these issues will flip round subsequent yr. is the season we have seen from Adolis García trigger for concern, although? He isn’t in his 20s or something. He is 31.	2	74-82
23	Blue Jays	Anybody else questioning how this season would have gone if Shohei Ohtani really did signal with the Blue Jays? No? Simply me?	3	73-83
24	Pirates	There have been a number of glimpses of hope, however the Pirates seem headed for an additional last-place end within the NL Central. Within the 31 years of the division’s existence, the Pirates have completed final 12 occasions. This season could be 13.	1	73-83
25	Nationals	The CJ Abrams scenario is definitely regarding, however it might additionally simply be a one-off. No must do something rash simply but.	—	69-87
26	Athletics	Effectively, we’re right here. The A’s have simply three video games left in Oakland earlier than the transfer. The ultimate residence sport is Thursday.	—	67-89
27	Angels	The Angels are the one group in MLB historical past to by no means have a 100-loss season. They’ve prevented it as soon as once more.	—	63-93
28	Rockies	The Rockies went 30 years and not using a 100-loss season. They’re about to now make it two straight on the century mark.	—	60-96
29	Marlins	How has this yr gone? Effectively, this is a method of placing it: The group chief in WAR is Tanner Scott. That might be a reliever who was traded on July 30.	—	57-99
30	White Sox	Lastly, mercifully, that is virtually over.	—	36-120