MLB Power Rankings by record in close-game situations: Where do the Blue Jays stand?

This just in - the Major League Baseball season is a long and hard slog. And yet, over the course of a 162-game marathon, even one wrong result can make all the difference.

For the Blue Jays specifically, a prime recent example is the 2021 season. They ended one game back of a wild card spot, despite winning 91 times.

With this in mind, we decided to do a power rankings list based on close games. More specifically, each team's combined record in one-run games and extra innings contests.

NB - All records are up to and including June 20. In cases where teams have the same winning percentage in close games, we give the edge to the team with the most overall victories in the Majors.

30) San Diego Padres - .217 (5-18)

The Padres were expected to be genuine World Series contenders this year - no surprise when considering the talent on their roster. Instead they sit at 35-38, 12.0 games back of the best record in the NL. And nothing has compromised them more than having the worst winning percentage in the Majors in close games. If San Diego was even around the .500 mark in these contests it would make all the difference, putting them in a wild card spot and within touching distance in the NL West.

29) Texas Rangers - .316 (6-13)

When the Rangers were swept by the Blue Jays in the 2016 ALDS, it resulted in the beginning of a downward trend. Since then they have suffered six consecutive losing seasons, and never finished higher than third in the AL West. This season has seen a renaissance, with the third-best record in the AL and leading the Majors in runs. The only thing holding them back from catching the Rays up to this point, is an inability to come through in close-contested affairs.

28) St. Louis Cardinals - .333 (10-20)

This season has been extremely disappointing for the Cardinals to date. Not many would have anticipated them sitting at 31-43, following last year's 93-wins and AL Central title. A contributing factor to their poor form has been a low win return in close games, including 8-16 in one-run contests. It's tough to see them challenging, already sitting 9.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the NL.

27) Houston Astros - .333 (7-14)

The Astros remain the standard until further notice, as the reigning World Series champions. For the second consecutive season they had a slow start, not helped by a bevvy of injuries. They've once again turned it around however, and are right back in contention. If they can become better in close contests, the rest of MLB really will have something to be concerned about.

26) Seattle Mariners - .375 (12-20)

The Mariners have been the very definition of average, hovering around the .500 mark all season. That they are only 4.0 games out of a wild card spot is a minor miracle. What hasn't helped their record, is being unable to come through in tight contests. What makes this more interesting is that this was a forte the previous two seasons, highlighted by both times leading the Majors in wins in one-run games

25) Washington Nationals - .391 (9-14)

Even after nearly two decades, there are plenty of Canadian baseball fans who must wish there was still a team in Montreal. For Blue Jays fans in particular, just think of the fun and teasing which could have been had towards a team with the third-worst record in the Majors. By extension, it should come as no surprise the Nationals also rank poorly for their record in close contests. Overall, their World Series win in 2019 is already beginning to look like a distant memory.

24) Chicago Cubs - .400 (8-12)

This has been a bizarre season to date for the Cubs. They have a below average 35-38 record, but are just 3.5 games back in their division and have scored more runs than they've allowed. Just think how much closer they would be in the AL Central, if not for an under-par showing in close games. Become more efficient in this area and the division could well be there for the taking.

23) Oakland Athletics - .429 (15-20)

The situation in Oakland is extremely unfair for fans and, to a lesser extent, the players. They don't deserve the way they've been treated by the organization and it's no surprise the Athletics have the worst record in the Majors. And yet they surprisingly hold their own when it comes to close games, at least when considering how dire the overall situation is. The talent, facilities and support (of management) may not be there, but the players have continued to try their best for the fans.

22) Kansas City Royals - .429 (9-12)

SimiIar to the Nationals, the Royals have also suffered since their own World Series win in 2015, with a seven-season playoff drought. It's not going to be any different this year, currently fielding the second-worst record in the Majors. No surprise then that the Royals have struggled in close games, although to be fair 9-12 in one-run games is actually not too bad for such a poor team. Regardless, this is a ballclub which will likely remain near the bottom of the standings all year, even if they see any improvement in winning tight contests.

21) Minnesota Twins - .448 (13-16)

While this is not an attack on the Twins, the reality is they are playing in the weakest division in the Majors. To highlight this, they lead the AL Central with a record below .500. As such, it should come as no surprise their record in close contests is similarly below-average. In fairness they are an impressive 6-3 in extra innings, but this is offset by a poor 7-13 record in one-run games.

15) Los Angeles Angels - .500 (14-14)

Amazingly for a team with the league's sixth-highest payroll and containing Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, not much was expected in 2023. That's what happens when you only qualify for the playoffs once in 13 seasons. This year finally looks different for the Angels though, sitting in a wild card spot with a 41-34 record. One factor which will prove they are for real, is if they can become more clinical in close games.

14) Tampa Bay Rays - .517 (15-14)

The Rays are undoubtedly the cream of the crop, leading the Majors with a 51-25 record. They sit 4.0 games ahead of the surprising Orioles in the AL East and 9.5 ahead of the third-placed Yankees. The fact anyone is even this close, comes down to the Rays' average record in close games. If they can find a way to become more clutch, there will be no catching them in the standings.

13) San Francisco Giants - .524 (11-10)

The Giants are off to a fine start this year, as per their 41-32 record. They currently sit in the second NL wild card spot and within 2.5 games of the lead in the NL West. In order to close the gap, they are going to have to be better than average in close games. Do this, and they can give the Diamondbacks and Dodgers a serious challenge for the division.

12) Los Angeles Dodgers - .526 (10-9)

Despite being consistent playoff qualifiers, you can argue the Dodgers are actually underachievers who often wilt under the pressure. Consider last year, when they lost to the Padres in the NLDS, following a Major League-best 111 regular season wins. While a 10-9 record in close games isn't terrible, this roster should be better. And they need to be better in the clutch, to justify a payroll which is consistently among the highest in the Majors.

11) New York Mets - .552 (16-13)

The Mets were predicted to be serious World Serious contenders in 2023, due to the league's highest payroll and coming off winning 101 games last year. However, a combination of poor luck, injuries and just being the Mets has meant otherwise. One of the positives however, is a penchant for keeping games close, particularly coming through with a 4-1 record in extra innings. A lot more needs to go right for the Mets though, currently sitting with the fourth-worst record in the NL.

10) Pittsburgh Pirates - .555 (11-9)

The Pirates started this season so positively, before reality hit. The wins started to turn into defeats, highlighted by the current eight-game losing streak which has taken them under .500. They still continue to win more than they lose in close games at least, including a 10-7 record in one-run games. Whether this attribute is enough to get them back in wild card contention, is debateable.

9) Cincinnati Reds - .556 (19-16)

Not much was expected this year, after the Reds won just 62 games last season. However, thanks to a stellar 10-game winning streak they have propelled themselves into the playoff race and now lead the NL Central. A big part of this has been helped by remaining competitive, with only the Guardians playing more close games then the Reds' 35. More importantly, Cincinnati is tied for the third-most wins in the Majors this year in such contests.

8) Baltimore Orioles - .556 (15-12)

There is some surprise about how well the Orioles have sustained winning so far this year, strong enough for the second-best record in the AL. However, they did sow the seeds last year, with their first winning record since 2016. A key to this has been their showing in tight games, including 12-8 in one-run games. The doubters will remain, but a continued ability to take the close contests will go a long way towards proving them wrong.

7) Colorado Rockies - .591 (13-9)

Following the Nuggets' NBA title, the Rockies are now the only major professional team in Colorado without a championship. This doesn't figure to change anytime soon, with a record of just 29-47 and well out of wild card contention. If nothing else however, at least they have shown a penchant for winning close games. In fact, it is this ability which has stopped them from propping up the rest of the NL - at least for now.

6) Toronto Blue Jays - .593 (16-11)

At 40-35, the Blue Jays have been labelled underachievers up to this point of the season. This isn't helped when considering they sit 10.5 games back of the Rays in the AL East. At the same time though, they are just 1.0 games back of a wild card spot - not bad for an underachiever. And regardless of if this characterization is fair or not, their ability to come through consistently in close games continues to keep them in the chase.

5) Detroit Tigers - .600 (18-12)

After a strong start to the season -- especially by their standards -- the Tigers have faded back towards obscurity. They sit third in the AL central with a 31-41 record, well out of the wild card race. And yet they still deserve some kudos for continuing to fight hard, as evidenced by the fifth-best winning percentage in the Majors in close games. In fact their overall record doesn't bear thinking about, if they didn't have such an excellent competitive spirit.

4) Atlanta Braves - .640 (16-9)

There must be a mixture of pride and what might have been for Blue Jays fans, when it comes to former GM Alex Anthopoulos. In five years with the Braves, he has helped them win five division titles and a World Series. They are once again flourishing in 2023, with the best record in the NL. As part of being a well-run organization, they are one of the top teams in the Majors when it comes to winning in close contests - don't expect this to change anytime soon.

3) Philadelphia Phillies - .714 (20-8)

With the fourth-highest payroll in the Majors, more is expected from Phillies fans. Yes they are only 2.0 games back of a wild card spot, but they are just above .500 at 38-35 and 9.0 games behind Atlanta in the NL East. Consider how much worse-off this high-priced talent would be without their collective clutch gene. On the flip side, this continued ability to win close games can potentially serve them well when we approach the finishing line in the regular season.

2) Milwaukee Brewers - .750 (15-5)

The Brewers have been one of the more consistent teams in the Majors the past five years, resulting in two division titles and four playoff qualifications. The streak was ended last season, but they are now right back in contention for the AL Central in 2023. Helping with this challenge has been their excellent record in close games, including 4-1 in extra innings. If they continue in this vein, it should provide an advantage in the tightly-contested division race.

1) Miami Marlins - .778 (21-6)

The Marlins haven't done much the past two seasons, both times finishing fourth in their division in the 60-wins range. This year however, they have the third-best record in the NL and own the top wild card spot. A big part of the reason for this is their record in close games, including 18-5 in one-run contests. Anything close to their current consistency for the remainder of this campaign will give them an excellent chance at just the fourth playoff berth in their 31-year history.