FPS: Final MLB Rankings

1. Red Sox – Clinched home field advantage in the American League not an easy task. David Oritz and Manny Ramirez look healthy, as the Sox are the team to beat in October.

2. NY Yankees – The Yankees closed a five-and-half game deficit to one-and-half games in a week. Unfortunately for the Yanks, Boston got it together. The pitching is still questionable, but New York is always scary in October.

3. Indians – A pair of 19-game winners have lead the Tribe all year, the most wins by any two teammates (Sabathia and Carmona). A solid offense and potent bullpen help the Indians win the AL Central for the first time since 2001.

4. LA Angels – The Angels dominated the AL West with 32-25 record against division opponents. Vlad had another great season hitting .324 with 27 home runs and 125 RBIs (good for third in the AL).

5. Phillies – The Phillies have won 13 of 17 and the NL East pennant. Ryan Howard has blasted nine home runs in the past 13 games as Philly rolls on.

6. Rockies – An improbable finish for Colorado winning 14 of 15 including a one-game playoff to make the playoffs. Can anybody say momentum?

7. Diamondbacks – Clinched home field in the National League, who would have thought? D-Backs have gotten the job done in close games all year, 32-20 in one-run games.

8. Padres – Can San Diego keep playing please? Padres’ 89 wins and epic performance in the one-game playoff is good enough to finished ranked on this list.

In the Chase: Tigers – Hard to fathom that the Tigers wouldn’t make the postseason in April. Detroit had too many injuries to keep pace with Cleveland and New York, although 88 wins is not too shabby.

Mariners – Seattle missed the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season, but won its final five games to end the season. The Mariners 10-game improvement over last season and first winning season in four years is good enough, for now.

Cubs – Cubs win! Cubs win! Yeah, Chicago won the worst division in baseball. Now can they get past the Billy Goat, the Black Cat and Steve Bartman?

Out of the Chase: NY Mets – No major-league team had failed to finish first after having at least a seven-game advantage with 17 games remaining. The Mets just made history.