Brewers and Cubs: Highlights in MLB rankings in the playoff race

The Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs are at the center of attention in Major League Baseball (MLB) this week, with both clubs ranking among the top five in the latest Power Rankings. This visibility comes as the race for the playoffs intensifies, making these teams' performances some of the most talked‑about topics among fans.

Brewers lead the ranking with an eye on the postseason

The Brewers hold the No. 1 spot in the Power Rankings, showing they have been in “postseason‑preparation mode” for a while. Manager Pat Murphy expresses confidence, stating his team is “built to win games,” challenging the notion that they are only built for the regular season. He argues, “It doesn’t make sense to me when someone says, ‘Well, they’re built for the regular season.’ Think about what you’re really saying. They’re built to win games. What’s the difference?”

The Cubs’ rise and Pete Crow‑Armstrong’s brilliance

Climbing one spot to fifth place in the ranking, the Cubs feature a standout in Pete Crow‑Armstrong, who is having one of the “best seasons in Cubs history” and Chicago sports history. The player’s performance has drawn attention from other sports stars, such as Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Bulls players Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson, who were seen at the ballpark and even started a chant of “PCA!”. Crow‑Armstrong expressed his satisfaction, saying, “They showed up. It was amazing to have them here. I felt the crowd’s energy when they were displayed on the scoreboard.”

The playoff race intensifies

With Labor Day already passed, the MLB season is closer to the start of the playoffs than many imagine, with the postseason beginning in September. The “final run” is happening now, and teams have only a few weeks left in the regular season. The pool of playoff‑eligible teams is narrowing, and with three full weeks of regular‑season baseball remaining, it is a “crucial moment” for clubs in the “postseason bubble.”

Other highlights and the battle for spots

Beyond the Brewers and Cubs, other key teams in the Power Rankings include the Braves (2nd), Dodgers (3rd) and Rays (4th), all looking to cement their positions. The Dodgers, for example, enjoy the biggest lead in their division, up by 10½ games, and could clinch the division in Cincinnati within the next ten days. Meanwhile, clubs like the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners took a “hard blow” last week, seeing their Wild Card chances shrink. In contrast, the Toronto Blue Jays are on the rise and back in the Wild Card hunt, with a favorable schedule that does not feature games against teams with winning records for the rest of the season.

Information from MLB.com, Bleacher Report.