Shifting Landscape in the AL: Contenders Reposition Themselves
As of September 5, 2025, the American League playoff picture is more fluid than it’s been all season. Injuries, surprise breakouts, and late-summer slumps have cracked the standings wide open. Let’s get into how the top teams are jockeying for position with under a month left in the regular season.
AL East: Baltimore Holds, but Tampa Bay Closes In
The Orioles remain on top, but their lead is now shaky. After a red-hot July, Baltimore has cooled off, going just 9–11 over their last 20. Their pitching, once dominant, has regressed. Grayson Rodriguez owns a 5.60 ERA since August 1, and the bullpen has blown six saves in the last three weeks.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is catching fire. They’ve gone 14–6 since mid-August. Yandy Díaz is slashing .345/.409/.540 over that stretch, and their pitching staff has been steady. The Rays are just two games back and closing fast.
AL Central: Chaos Reigns Below the Surface
The Twins are holding onto first, but it’s less about dominance and more about being the last team standing. Minnesota’s record sits at 75–66, and they’ve struggled against winning teams. They are 1–5 against AL East clubs since August 15.
Cleveland remains within reach, three games back. Their pitching has kept them alive — particularly Gavin Williams, who has posted a 1.78 ERA over his last five starts. But their offense ranks dead last in runs per game (3.47) since August 1. If they can’t fix that, they’ll fall short.
AL West: Houston Struggles, Seattle Strikes
Houston’s inconsistency has finally caught up with them. After a 4–8 start to September, they’ve slipped behind the Mariners. The Astros’ bullpen has been a mess, and Yordan Álvarez is hitting just .195 with one homer since August 20.
Seattle, on the other hand, has surged. They’ve gone 17–5 since August 10, led by Julio Rodríguez, who’s hitting .398 with 8 HRs and 23 RBIs over that span. The rotation — anchored by Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert — has been lights out. They now lead the division by 1.5 games.
One NL Giant Awakens, Another Fades
Atlanta Reasserts Dominance
The Braves were already good, but their recent stretch has put them back in the conversation for best team in baseball. Since August 15, they’re 16–3 with a +63 run differential. Ronald Acuña Jr. is finally locked in again, hitting .384 with 6 home runs in the past 19 games.
Their rotation is healthy and firing. Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Bryce Elder have combined for a 2.10 ERA since mid-August. That’s World Series-level performance. Atlanta has clinched a playoff spot and leads the NL by six games as of September 5, 2025.
Los Angeles Dodgers in Freefall
It’s been a disastrous few weeks for the Dodgers. Since August 16, they’re just 7–13, and the injuries are piling up. Mookie Betts fractured his wrist on August 30 and is out for at least three weeks. Shohei Ohtani, already unable to pitch, is hitting .211 since September began.
Pitching is the bigger concern. Clayton Kershaw has been shut down again. Bobby Miller’s ERA in his last five starts? 6.75. The bullpen is burnt out. With their lead in the NL West down to just 1.5 games over San Diego, the Dodgers are officially vulnerable.
Latest Power Rankings (as of September 5, 2025)
| Rank | Team | Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta Braves | 92–47 | Scorching hot, healthy rotation, Acuña surging |
| 2 | Seattle Mariners | 84–56 | Best team in the AL over last month, balanced attack |
| 3 | Tampa Bay Rays | 83–58 | Closing in on division, Díaz MVP-level run |
| 4 | Baltimore Orioles | 85–56 | Still leading but fading fast in the AL East |
| 5 | Houston Astros | 82–59 | Slumping badly, bullpen unreliable |
| 6 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 81–61 | Trending down, key injuries piling up |
| 7 | Minnesota Twins | 75–66 | Holding lead in weakest division |
| 8 | San Diego Padres | 79–63 | Heating up as Dodgers falter |
| 9 | Cleveland Guardians | 72–69 | Pitching great, offense still missing |
| 10 | Chicago Cubs | 76–65 | Hanging on to final NL Wild Card slot |
What to Watch Next
Seattle vs. Houston Series Could Decide AL West
They’ll meet again September 13–15. If the Mariners take that series, they may lock up the division before the final week. Houston can’t afford to stumble again.
Dodgers vs. Padres: Division Battle in Real Time
All eyes on September 9–11 in Los Angeles. San Diego has won seven of their last nine against the Dodgers. If that trend holds, we may see a changing of the guard in the NL West.
AL Wild Card May Go Down to Final Day
Four teams — Toronto, Boston, Cleveland, and Texas — are within 3.5 games of the last Wild Card slot. With daily shakeups, this one’s going down to Game 162.
