Padres and Astros are built for deep runs

The postseason power rankings aren't about regular-season records, but about who's hot, who's healthy and who's likely to make it deep into October. So here we go…

1st Father: They're 41-17 since starting 50-50, and Yu Darvish and Mets tormentor Joe Musgrove are back to form a formidable rotation along with Dylan Cease and Michael King and lead a shutdown bullpen thanks to deadline acquisition Tanner Scott, Bryan Hoeing and Jason Adam. Manny Machado is also on fire. Incredibly, this club, which also included Juan Soto, Blake Snell and Seth Lugo last year, was hitting .500 in 2023 — and through the first 100 games of that year.

2. Phillies: Their front four of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez is special and their lineup is super strong. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are October dynamos.

3. Yankees: Their rotation is by far the best in the AL, and the dynamic duo of Aaron Judge and Soto gets more help here with Giancarlo Stanton (health) and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The bullpen has been looking better lately, but it's not overwhelming.

4. Astros: They've somehow put together a decent rotation to go along with a star-studded core and bullpen, and are once again the Yankees' biggest hurdle.

5. Brewer: “They’re a team that plays baseball – they do the little things,” says one NL scout. “It’s no coincidence that their manager (Pat Murphy) is a former college coach. The problem is the rotation (“a little short,” says the scout).

6. Dodgers: They have the most exciting everyday talent and a collection of experienced helpers so they could do it. But the rotation of new ace Jack Flaherty, a returning Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a shell of Walker Buehler, with newcomer Landon Knack waiting in the wings, is tricky.

7th Guardian: If it's a bullpen game, they'll be hard to beat. Like the Brewers, the rotation is average.

8. Mets: After their slow start, they were among the best.

The Mets were among the best in the MLB after their slow start. Jason Scenes for the NY Post

9. Oriole: They are talented, but are missing Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez and two other starters. Limp.

10. Brave: They can pitch, and that's why they're still there. However, their offense was already down strong before the demise of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley.

11. Tigers: They have the best pitcher (Tarik Skubal), the hottest manager (AJ Hinch, working bullpen magic) and youthful enthusiasm. Could make waves.

12. Diamondbacks: The D-backs can really hit, but the two high-priced lefties (Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery) were busts.

13. Royals: Assuming they get it, their rotation can be scary good. Dangerous in short series.

14. Gemini: Strangely, when they recovered, they stopped beating. It takes a miracle to get in.

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