MLB Power Rankings: Every Team's Postseason Odds at the Quarter Pole

Even though it seems like the Major League Baseball season has barely begun, we are already approximately a quarter of the way through the excitement.

At this point, while the playoff picture is anything but certain, some definite trends are starting to emerge. Some teams started flat but are starting to get it together, while other teams are starting to drop off of the cloud that they began the season on.

Do either of these two types of teams have hope? Absolutely.

How much hope does every individual team have? That is what we are here to figure out. These power rankings are going to show you how probable it is that each Major League Baseball team makes the playoffs this season.

30. Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins are set up at the bottom of the American League Central, and it is hard to see them moving anywhere else.

Why am I so bold?

Right now, the Minnesota Twins have scored the fewest runs in the American League and have the highest team ERA in all of baseball.

That is not exactly a recipe for a playoff appearance.

Chance of making the playoffs: 1%

29. San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres have not changed very much. They do well on the mound, but their offense has been relatively flat.

Chase Headley has been the brightest spot from the hot corner, but he is not really a power hitter or run producer by trade. He could be part of a strong lineup, but he should not be the headliner.

Perhaps the return of Carlos Quentin will help the Padres score some runs, but since even that improvement is speculative, it would be highly unlikely to see them do anything in the postseason.

Chance of making the playoffs: 1%

28. Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals have been preparing for the future for a long time. Their minor league system has produced quite a bit of talent in Alex Gordon, Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer, among others.

However, as you probably noticed, there are no pitchers on that list.

The Royals have had quite a bit of difficulty particularly from their starting rotation in 2012, and unless that straightens out, they do not have much hope in a relatively top-heavy American League Central.

Chance of making the playoffs: 1%

27. Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are in a bit of a bind. The Texas Rangers are looking phenomenal, and if the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are able to become half of the team they have the potential of becoming, it will be very hard to overcome either of these two teams.

On top of that, the Oakland Athletics are looking relatively strong to start off this season, so they are another team that the Mariners would need to overcome.

I don't mean to limit what is possible, but in reality, this would be an awfully steep climb for a team who is only batting average from the mound and below-average at the plate.

Chance of making the playoffs: 1%

26. Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs were hoping for a little bit more success early on this season under the leadership of Theo Epstein, but they have been experiencing some rather significant problems.

For example, Ryan Dempster has been pitching fabulously, but he has not been winning baseball games because the Cubs have not been scoring runs.

That trend might be changing with the emergence of Bryan LaHair, but there are a lot of teams ahead of them in the National League Central, and it may be difficult to make up so much ground in the division.

Chance of making the playoffs: 1%

25. Colorado Rockies

With the Los Angeles Dodgers performing far above preseason expectations and the typically strong Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants underachieving, it seems like the top three slots in the division will be taken.

This season is not that much different than usual for the Colorado Rockies. Behind Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki, the runs are crossing the plate.

The problem is that more are crossing the plate for the other teams. Their pitching staff has been severely subpar, so until they can figure that out, the Rockies will have a hard time contending for the playoffs.

Chance of making the playoffs: 2%

24. Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan Braun is putting up MVP-type numbers again, and the Milwaukee Brewers seem to be hitting the ball all right.

However, their bullpen in particular has been especially shaky, and it is hard to win baseball games if leads slip away that close to the end of the contest.

The Milwaukee Brewers seem to have all the pieces necessary to make a postseason run, but if the bullpen is struggling this mightily, a lot of their efforts will be undercut.

Chance of making the playoffs: 5%

23. Houston Astros

I know that a lot of people will be surprised that the Houston Astros are this high in the power rankings. However, overachievers are much more dangerous than underachievers given the power of momentum.

Therefore, if the Houston Astros are able to continue receiving strong pitching performances from the likes of Wandy Rodriguez and Bud Norris and strong run support from the likes of Carlos Lee and J.D. Martinez, they might be a nice underdog story at the end of the season.

Underdogs are usually not the most talented, but if they can hover in the middle of the pack, who knows if some type of run might happen?

Chance of making the playoffs: 5%

22. Boston Red Sox

It has been a long time since the Boston Red Sox have sat so low in a power ranking. However, the American League East is looking incredibly strong this season, and the Red Sox have had some major pitching problems. It will be hard to win a playoff spot in that division.

If the Red Sox aren't able to get their pitching staff together, all of their powerful within-division rivals will make them pay for it.

The Boston Red Sox are producing enough runs, but in such a tough division, they need to start pitching better to even have a chance.

Chance of making the playoffs: 8%

21. Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are currently flying higher than they have been for a while behind the powerful bats of Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn. Jake Peavy has also been a pleasant surprise.

However, the White Sox have also had some difficulties in their pitching staff. Phil Humber pitched a perfect game, which is amazing, but he has had trouble throughout the rest of the season, along with John Danks.

A few strong players can help carry a team for a while, but the White Sox need to straighten out some of these problem areas if they want to stay in contention.

Chance of making the playoffs: 9%

20. New York Mets

David Wright is off to a great start, but the New York Mets do not have very many proven pieces around him. Some players, like Mike Baxter or Kurt Nieuwenhuis, might continue their breakout seasons, but given their lack of experience, it might be difficult to continue at such a high level in the National League East.

The Mets also look a little bit shaky on the mound, and they need Dillon Gee and Jonathan Niese to step up. Also, Frank Francisco has been finishing games, but his ERA is far too high for a closer.

The Mets look fine so far, and the National League East is extraordinarily tight. If they can hang in there, maybe they can slip into a playoff spot. It is a stretch, but definitely not impossible.

Chance of making the playoffs: 9%

19. Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins went big this winter as they tried to establish themselves as front runners in the National League East. That plan hasn't been working out too well so far, but they still definitely have hope.

For one thing, Jose Reyes has not been playing like we all know he can. When his batting average starts to come back up to more typical levels, the Marlins will be able to produce more runs from the top of their lineup.

The Miami Marlins have talent, and they still have plenty of time to put it together.

Chance of making the playoffs: 10%

18. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the advantage of playing in a relatively weak division. Therefore, if something happens to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates might be able to seize a playoff spot.

Andrew McCutchen is a star in the making, and the starting rotation is actually very underrated. A.J. Burnett is really the only "big" name, but guys like James McDonald, Charlie Morton and Kevin Correia are putting together decent seasons so far.

The St. Louis Cardinals are the top of the heap in the National League Central, but if they falter, the Pittsburgh Pirates definitely have a decent chance to move in.

Chance of making the playoffs: 10%

17. Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have started off the year on a high note, so I wanted to give them credit for that. While I do not think that they will be able to hold off the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or catch up to the Texas Rangers, they have already surprised me by doing this well so far, so they might be able to continue surprising me.

Most of their success this season has been due to some great pitching and home-run hitting. Brandon McCarthy could be an All-Star this season, and Josh Reddick has been a very interesting acquisition.

Again, I think that the Oakland Athletics will end up outside the playoff picture, but I had to give them credit because I was wrong about them at the beginning of the season, and maybe they will be able to sustain this run.

Chance of making the playoffs: 10%

16. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have a very strong team. They have one of the best starting rotations in baseball, and they have the best hitter of this decade in the middle of their lineup.

All of that being said, they are not living up to expectations this season, and if they don't turn it around soon, the Texas Rangers are going to pull away in the American League West. The wild-card picture is also going to be very crowded, and the Angels cannot let teams like the Tampa Bay Rays get too far ahead.

Before this season, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim appeared to be one of the top teams in baseball. They still have that talent, but they can't dig themselves in too deep a hole.

Chance of making the playoffs: 15%

15. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are led by a strong pitching staff and a few All-Star caliber outfielders in Justin Upton and Chris Young.

The Diamondbacks were predicted by some to be one of the best teams in baseball, but this season has not been working out that well. Just like the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, they are already way behind in the division, and it will be difficult to make a run in a crowded wild-card picture.

They do have a lot of talent, though, so rallying is definitely possible. It will take a lot of work and some luck along the way to make that happen.

Chance of making the playoffs: 15%

14. Cincinnati Reds

I previously wrote that the Pittsburgh Pirates have a good chance of slipping into the playoffs if the St. Louis Cardinals falter. The Cincinnati Reds have an even better chance.

Joey Votto has been one of the most consistent run producers over the past number of seasons, and Jay Bruce has been getting better every season, including 2012.

The Reds will always survive by the runs from their offense, but they are looking strong so far in 2012 and would be the top contenders in the National League Central if the Cardinals somehow lose their advantage.

Chance of making the playoffs: 20%

13. New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are fixtures in the MLB postseason. However, they have been relying on substantial contributions from Derek Jeter and Raul Ibanez so far this season.

Nothing against either of these players, but they are very far more productive than they have been in a number of years, and you have to wonder when that production will slow down. If it does slow down, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez need to perform that much better to pick up the slack.

The playoffs wouldn't be the same without the Yankees, and they could make a comeback. However, they need to do better than they have been to make up for lost time.

Chance of making the playoffs: 20%

12. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays have the strong combination of Ricky Romero at the top of their rotation and Jose Bautista in the middle of their lineup. Bautista has not been living up to his potential, but Edwin Encarnacion has been picking up the slack so far this season.

The American League East is going to be competitive, and with a very strong start from the Baltimore Orioles, the Blue Jays will have to compete with even more contenders.

If Bautista rebounds, they definitely have a chance at the playoffs. However, they need to overcome a lot of talented adversaries to claim one of those spots.

Chance of making the playoffs: 20%

11. Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are going to receive a major boost when Ryan Howard and Chase Utley return to the middle of the lineup. However, they are currently sitting in last place in the National League East and therefore have a lot ground to make up.

Despite that fact, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels are three of the best arms in baseball right now. If the run support starts coming, the Phillies could be as dangerous as they have been over the past few years.

The Phillies are not too far back yet, but they need to get moving or they will fall even farther behind the very strong Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.

Chance of making the playoffs: 20%

10. Baltimore Orioles

I know that the Baltimore Orioles have been incredibly hot so far this season. However, they are a very young team playing in a very difficult division, so that might become problematic as the season progresses.

To their credit, though, they have been playing great baseball behind some very strong starting pitching and a truly fantastic effort by Adam Jones.

Youth is not necessarily a bad thing, and it is very likely that the Baltimore Orioles will stay in the race. However, I had to tone them down a little bit simply because very few of their players have ever been in this type of situation before.

Chance of making the playoffs: 25%

9. San Francisco Giants

Even without a good campaign from Tim Lincecum, the San Francisco Giants are sticking close to the red hot Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

Their lineup has been producing some runs, and while they still need to do better in that area, their pitching staff (led by Matt Cain) is what will carry them through the playoffs.

When Tim Lincecum returns to normal, their pitching staff has a good chance of helping them catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in the West or at least have a good shot at the wild card.

Chance of making the playoffs: 25%

8. Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians have come out quickly in 2012, and most of that success is due to a well-rounded offensive attack.

No offensive player necessarily stands out, but Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis in particular have driven in some runs and combined to carry the Indians to the top of the American League Central.

The Detroit Tigers are so strong that I do worry a little bit about the Indians, but if they continue to play as well as they have been, the playoffs are absolutely possible.

Chance of making the playoffs: 30%

7. Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have so much offense in Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Austin Jackson that there is no way they will stay below .500 for very long.

Also, the combination of Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Drew Smyly is already performing well, and there's no reason to believe that they should fade.

The Tigers should be doing better than they are right now, but given the fact that the American League Central is not particularly strong outside of the Cleveland Indians, Detroit should definitely be in contention for a playoff spot.

Chance of making the playoffs: 30%

6. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers quite honestly surprised me this season. Matt Kemp got off to the hottest start in recent memory, and even though he has cooled off somewhat and sustained an injury, he is still among the best position players in the game.

That being said, the Dodgers have been winning baseball games because of their strong pitching staff. Clayton Kershaw has been great as always, but Ted Lilly has kept up with the young phenom and is actually doing better than Kershaw in wins and ERA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have an excellent advantage. They are being pursued by the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks, so the playoffs are not guaranteed, but they are likely.

Chance of making the playoffs: 35%

5. St. Louis Cardinals

Carlos Beltran has quietly been putting together a great season, and the St. Louis Cardinals seem to be handling the departure of Albert Pujols very well.

They have even been handling the injury to Chris Carpenter well, largely because of great pitching performances from Lance Lynn, Jake Westbrook and Kyle Loshe. Hopefully Carpenter will be able to return this season and even add more depth to this rotation.

The St. Louis Cardinals are the team to beat in the National League Central. If they do slip, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates are right behind them. Nevertheless, I don't see that happening this season.

Chance of making the playoffs: 35%

4. Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals are trying to prove that they are serious contenders in the highly competitive National League East, and they have succeeded so far.

Stephen Strasburg has been everything that he was expected to be, and each member of the rest of their rotation is currently boasting an ERA under 4.00. They are strong all the way around.

On offense, Adam LaRoche seems to be making a comeback, and Ian Desmond is one of Major League Baseball's more powerful options at shortstop. With a decent lineup backing up such strong pitching, there is no reason to doubt the Washington Nationals.

Chance of making the playoffs: 35%

3. Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have found the offense they have been looking for over the past few seasons. Jason Heyward has returned to form, while Freddie Freeman is emerging as a run producer.

Of course, Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, Martin Prado and Dan Uggla are driving in runs to help support a pitching staff that could in all honesty be doing even better than they are. Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson are strong as always, but their more inexperienced rotation members should only get stronger with more experience.

The Atlanta Braves have spent a few seasons away from the top of the National League East, but they seem to be in a strong position to aim for that slot again.

Chance of making the playoffs: 40%

2. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are not in first place in the American League East, but they have the advantage of experience that the Baltimore Orioles don't.

The Rays will outlast all of their opponents in the American League East behind their great pitching depth. James Shields, David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and Jeff Niemann are looking strong as always, while Matt Moore has shown substantial potential at times.

The Tampa Bay Rays might not have the strongest offense in the American League East, but they have plenty of offense to support their pitching staff and sit as the favorites in the division.

Chance of making the playoffs: 45%

1. Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers literally have everything. Yu Darvish has exceeded most expectations since he arrived in Arlington, and Josh Hamilton is playing even better than he did during his 2010 MVP season.

Beyond these two headliners, the Rangers have scored the most runs in baseball this season, and they have the third lowest ERA in the majors.

The Texas Rangers are led by two stars so far, but they are really an all-around powerful unit. While they do have the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim behind them, who should start making a run at them, the Texas Rangers have plenty of firepower to hold off any assault.

At this point in the season, they are the only team that I am confident enough in to say that it is more likely than not that they make it into the playoffs.

Chance of making the playoffs: 60%

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