It seems the journey for the Los Angeles Dodgers took six months to rise by just one position.

The 2024 Major League Baseball season has been a winding and challenging road, especially for leading teams like the Dodgers. As we approach October, the Dodgers find themselves at the top of YSL News Sports’ final power rankings for the season.

This isn’t too far off from how the rankings started, with the Dodgers sitting in the No. 2 position. However, the preseason No. 1 Atlanta Braves have had a turbulent season filled with injuries, and are now fighting for their playoff eligibility.

Many teams in the top 10 saw frequent changes at the No. 1 position as they dealt with tough stretches and injury setbacks. Nevertheless, the Dodgers wrapped up the season with an impressive 97 wins, thanks in part to Shohei Ohtani’s record-shattering performances, and they appear to have a solid starting rotation ready for the playoffs.

Here are our final rankings for the regular season:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)

• It’s fascinating to see what Playoff Shohei Ohtani brings to the field.

2. New York Yankees (-1)

• With Anthony Rizzo’s finger injury, Ben Rice may find himself back at first base.

3. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

• If the Mets are the opponents in the NLDS, Citizens Bank Park will be electric.

4. San Diego Padres (-)

• This time, the Dodgers won’t underestimate the Padres in the NLDS. They might even have the edge.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)

• They are on track to potentially become the first World Series winner with a player named Tobias.

6. Cleveland Guardians (-1)

• They seem perfectly set up for the playoffs, provided they can get past the Tigers.

7. Baltimore Orioles (-)

• Could Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin form a formidable pitching duo?

8. Houston Astros (+3)

• The health of Yordan Alvarez is crucial as the postseason approaches.

9. Atlanta Braves (+1)

• In a different year, Spencer Schwellenbach would be a strong contender for NL Rookie of the Year.

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (-2)

• Shirts that say “Go, Game 1 winner!” are flying off the shelves.

11. New York Mets (-2)

• David Peterson stepped up significantly, ending the season with a 2.90 ERA.

12. Detroit Tigers (-)

• The strategy for the playoffs? Skubal & The Crew.

13. Kansas City Royals (-)

• Will Vinnie Pasquantino make a comeback for the wild-card series? His presence could change the team’s dynamics.

14. Seattle Mariners (+2)

• Over the last 11 seasons, they’ve consistently won 54% of their games.

15. Chicago Cubs (-)

• Standing at 83-79, they sit at No. 15 in our rankings, representing the Monsters of the Mid.

16. Minnesota Twins (-2)

• Rocco Baldelli will remain, confirmed by GM Derek Falvey, despite a disappointing 9-18 record this September.

17. St. Louis Cardinals (+1)

• They haven’t missed the playoffs for more than three years in a row since 1988-95.

18. San Francisco Giants (+2)

• Will a new GM manage to keep Blake Snell? And is there even going to be a new GM? Do fans still remember them?

19. Boston Red Sox (-2)

• This marks their first 81-81 season since 1985. Exciting, right?

20. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)

• Jose Caballero led the American League with 44 stolen bases.

21. Cincinnati Reds (-)

• Hunter Greene ended Game 162 with four shutout innings, finishing the season with a 2.75 ERA across 150 ⅓ innings.

22. Texas Rangers (+2)

• Playoff star Josh Sborz will have his troublesome shoulder examined.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

• One day, we’ll ponder how Paul Skenes didn’t snag the Rookie of the Year title.

24. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)

• This is their last-place finish for the first time since 2013.

25. Washington Nationals (-)

• Evidence of improvement is evident, yet they have the same record – 71-91 – as last year.

26. Oakland Athletics (-)

• They even pre-recorded the last wrap-up show to ensure the hosts stayed on message.

27. Los Angeles Angels (-)

• As a side note, Nolan Schanuel finished as the AL rookie leader with a .343 OBP.

28. Colorado Rockies (-)

• Charlie Blackmon has finally set off for his long-awaited vacation.

29. Miami Marlins (-)

• Can GM Peter Bendix turn things around, or is the franchise doomed from the top?

30. Chicago White Sox (-)

• It could have been a lot worse. Honestly, it really could have.