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MLB power rankings: Can Vlad Jr., Blue Jays wake up in time for playoffs?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. achieved what started to look impossible. Can his Toronto Blue Jays follow suit?

The defending American League champions have underperformed all season, following the lead of their superstar and $500 million man, who, entering Sunday, Sept. 13, had not hit a home run at Rogers Centre this season – a 75-game power outage for a man who once hit 48 in a season.

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But Guerrero got off the schneid with his first Canadian longball this season, the middle of back-to-back-to-back shots off Baltimore’s Trevor Rogers that had the home crowd chanting his name and his teammates giddy with joy.

And now, after spending almost the entire season on the wrong side of .500, the Blue Jays are just one game out of a playoff berth and up to No. 13 in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.

Just like Vladdy, who now has eight home runs this season, can the Blue Jays prove it’s never too late?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was feted by teammates Josh Smith and Myles Straw after hitting his first home run of the season at Rogers Centre.

They have a golden opportunity to make up ground this week, trailing the Cleveland Guardians by one game and the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox by 1½. Those two meet in a three-game series, while Toronto takes on the Detroit Tigers. Now 75-75, the Blue Jays haven’t been two games above .500 since April 1, when they were 4-2.

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If they can reach those “heights” in the final 12 games, a very unlikely playoff spot may be in the offing.

Here’s a look at our updated MLB power rankings entering the week of Sept. 14:

Will clinch NL Central this week and should break franchise record for wins (97) next week.

Edwin Diaz looking a lot closer to getting shut down than returning from rehab assignment.

Victor Mesa (.845 OPS) gives them another power bat for the postseason.

Never a bad week when you essentially clinch the division. But a first-round bye might be too much to ask.

Cam Schlittler closing in on Cy Young Award, but let’s pump the brakes a tad on MVP talk.

Get a potential glimpse of playoff series with three games against Atlanta this week.

Wiped the floor with the AL Central this year, going 19-9.

Jesus Luzardo’s shoulder inflammation is, at least for now, a significant concern.

Now three games behind the Padres; need to make sure that final-weekend series isn’t simply a lottery ticket.

Have held at least a share of first place in the AL Central since July 4. Will take a half-game lead into Cleveland.

For the second consecutive year, they can seize control of division on last homestand.

Dylan Cease in dead heat with Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski for major league strikeout lead.

They still might win the AL West, but sweep at hands of Tampa Bay shows playoff stay might not be long.

Somehow won the season series against Dodgers.

The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.

(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)

Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.

(David Richard, Imagn Images)

Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.

(Benny Sieu, Imagn Images)

April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder’s hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)

April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.

(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)

April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays’ Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team’s all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.

(David Dermer, Imagn Images)

A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)

A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.

(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.

(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)

A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox’s home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.

(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)

Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.

(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)

Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.

(Denis Poroy, Imagn Images)

Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.

(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.

(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)

The Cincinnati Reds’ Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.

(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.

(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)

Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.

(Jovanny Hernandez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Back to .500. Can they pull off first winning season since 2018?

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Trailing Houston by one game, homestand vs. Red Sox, Blue Jays will be challenging.

Starter Kyle Bradish shut down due to lower abdominal discomfort.

Emmanuel Rodriguez makes long-awaited debut, homers in first at-bat.

Jackson Jobe pitches into the seventh inning for first time.

Jorbit Vivas with go-ahead and game-tying hits in consecutive games.

Josh Naylor is, stunningly, 6-for-24 on ABS challenges, worst in the majors.

Christian Scott’s 3.76 ERA over 22 outings very good for initial year after Tommy John surgery.

Carter Jensen’s 24th homer ties Bob Hamelin for Royals rookie record.

28. Athletics (-)

Shea Langeliers makes it back to Yolo County in impressive time after torn right meniscus repair in July.

Blew three leads in ugly sweep at Washington.

On a 5-20 skid as 100 losses again looks like reality.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Can Vlad Jr., Blue Jays wake up in time for playoffs?

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