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MLB Division Series Power Rankings
Date: October 11, 2022By: Justin Lotito
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
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
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 TAKEN THE LEAD IN THE 9TH‼️ pic.twitter.com/k9cVrng59C
— ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2022
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
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
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.
Manny Machado smashes the FOURTH @Padres homer tonight‼️
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 8, 2022
Max Scherzer has now allowed 7 ER, his career-high in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/KOh4YrnzCi
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
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
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.
Houston, the pursuit of history starts now.#LevelUp pic.twitter.com/dETlxmf0Jq
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 11, 2022
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
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
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.
On the mound for Game 1: @MaxFried32 #Back2Battle pic.twitter.com/DoJy1f3pA6
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 10, 2022
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.