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MLB Division Series Power Rankings

Date: October 11, 2022

By: Justin Lotito

The Mariners celebrate their first playoff series victory in over 21 years.

The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn

Let me preface this by saying that all teams who made it to the divisional series are good. I believe that each team has a chance to win the fall classic, so it is difficult ranking these teams in order.

Here are my power rankings for the divisional series:

 

8. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners celebrate in disbelief as they take down the Blue Jays after an improbable comeback.

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

It’s hard not to love the Mariners this season. After 21 years, they finally broke the longest postseason drought in the American sports, securing the fifth seed in the AL.

After shutting down the Blue Jays in Game One of the wild card, Seattle found themselves down 8-1 in Game Two. Many began focusing on a potential Game Three, winner-take-all matchup. However, the M’s came rumbling back, winning the game 10-9, the second-largest comeback in postseason history.

Seattle has a solid pitching rotation and a powerful lineup. In the regular season, the Mariners ranked tenth in homeruns.

Regardless of their outcome this October, the future is bright in the Emerald City.

 

7. Philadelphia Phillies

Bryce Harper embraces his teammate as the Phillies move on to the Divisional round.

Logan Riely/Getty Images

The Phillies nearly choked away their spot in the postseason, as their offense went ice cold in the month of September.

However, after an upset win over St. Louis, Philadelphia showed they can compete with the best.

The Phillies have one of the best all-around lineups in baseball, ranking eighth in batting average, sixth in homeruns, sixth in slugging, and fifth in stolen bases. The team is always a threat to get on base and score runs.

With a powerful, veteran lineup, and a top-tier starting pitcher staff, the Phillies will be a hard team to beat.

 

6. Cleveland Guardians

Guardians fans cheer their team on as they move to the divisional round.

Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Guardians are one of the most annoying teams in baseball to beat.

During the regular season, their lineup struck out less than any team in the big leagues. They also have more stolen bases than any playoff team.

Cleveland also benefited from a great starting rotation. This was shown when they allowed only one run during their wild card series against the Rays.

After a great end to the regular season, Cleveland is getting hot at the right time.

 

5. San Diego Padres

The Padres look to move through the NL led by star Manny Machado.

Adam Hunger/Getty Images

The Padres shocked the nation by knocking off the Mets in the wild card round. However, it’s easy to see how they did it.

San Diego’s team is filled with stars. Nobody wants to pitch to an MVP candidate like Manny Machado in the fall.

One of the biggest factors for the team’s success this series will be Juan Soto. While Soto has failed to live up to expectations on the Padres this season, there is no doubt he is one of the best players in baseball. If he can heat up, Soto can completely change the series.

San Diego’s eventful trade deadline didn’t just bring in Soto, as they traded for Josh Hader as well. After a slow start to his Padre career, Hader heated up in September. He will be an asset in close games.

After knocking off the Mets, every MLB team should take notice. The Padres may be a force to be reckoned with.

 

4. New York Yankees

Arron Judge looks to stay hot in the postseason against the Cleveland Guardians.

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The Yankees had one of the best starts to a season in MLB history. Going into the all-star break, they were projected to win a record setting 118 games.

As we all know, they couldn’t keep their momentum up, and nearly choked away the division.

Even though they almost had an epic collapse, they were able to end the year on a hot streak, claiming their first division title since 2019.

While Aaron Judge was having one of the best hitting seasons in history, other players have been phenomenal. This season, the Yankees had ten players reach double digits in homeruns.

The Bronx Bombers will also be getting back Matt Carpenter, who missed time with a broken foot. Before injury, Carpenter was hitting an incredible .305, with 15 homers.

They also benefit from a good starting rotation, led by Gerrit Cole.

If the Yankees get hot, they will run right through the American League.

 

3. Houston Astros

The Astros are all smiles as they head into the divisional series to take on the Mariners.

Thomas Shea/USA TODAY Sports

It’s no surprise that the Astros are in this position.

Out of all teams, Houston may have the fewest flaws. They have the deepest pitching staff, headed by CY Young favorite Justin Verlander, who at the age of 39 is still one of the best pitchers in the game. If everything goes as planned, he will pitch two games during the ALDS.

Houston’s bullpen is phenomenal as well. None of their closers have an ERA of over 4.00.

During the season they were outstanding at the plate, hitting the second-most homeruns with the second-fewest strike outs.

There is a reason Houston is the favorite in the American League. They will be tough to beat regardless of their opponent.

 

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Julio Urias, the Game One pitcher for LA, winds up on the mound.

Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-New via Getty Images

The Dodgers were without a doubt the best team during the regular season, winning a league-best 111 games.

Their run differential this season was +334, one of the best in MLB history and nearly 100 points over the second-place team in that category.

They have a great starting rotation led by CY Young candidate Julio Urias in Game One of the NLDS.

A lineup filled with stars like Trea Turner, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman will be nearly impossible to beat in the postseason.

Who could I possibly rank higher than them?

 

1. Atlanta Braves

The Braves look to repeat as MLB champs this year, with their first real test coming up against the Phillies.

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

This is a controversial pick, but I believe the defending champs are the best team this postseason. In fact, their roster may be even better than their championship winning team last season.

Unlike last season, they have Ronald Acuna back. Even though he has yet to play like his pre-ACL-tear self, he is still a valuable player to have on the team.

The Braves’ pitching staff is much more improved. Max Fried is one of the league’s best starting pitchers. They also now have rookie star Spencer Strider at their disposal. Another one of their biggest weapons is Kyle Wright, who collected 21 wins this year.

Their lineup is also deep. This year, Atlanta had eight players who hit for more than fifteen homeruns. They also received 96 RBIs from the ninth spot in their line-up, the second most in history.

Most importantly, they showed they have what it takes to win big games. In an important series against their division rivals, the Mets, Atlanta was able to sweep them with ease, securing the division.

While the Braves may not have as many wins as the Dodgers this season, I still think they are the best team in the postseason.

Justin Lotito can be reached at justin.lotito@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: MLB, Sports, Baseball

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