By Jack Stewart
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the most surprising teams this season. Players like Corbin Carroll have had incredible breakout seasons, with him stealing 50 bases and batting a 0.284. Offseason additions like Lourdes Gurriel Jr. have added solid depth to this roster. Pitchers like Zac Gallen and Merril Kelly have been great starting options and added a lot to this defense, which currently leads the league in FPCT. The only issue with the Diamondbacks is their lack of playoff experience, but this is a team with a lot of young talent that has a chance of going deep this October.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are the easy favorites to win the World Series this year, and they’re arguably one of the best baseball teams of all time. The Braves have potentially the greatest offense in baseball history, as they currently lead the league in HR, AVG, and OPS. Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, and Marcell Ozuna are all in the top 10 leaders for HR, and ace Spencer Strider is having a dominant pitching year with a WHIP of 1.08. This is an all-time great team and they have the best chance to win the World Series this year.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have been the most surprisingly great team this year in baseball. The team features one of the best young cores, with Adley Rustchman and Gunnar Henderson making up (arguably) the best young duo in the entire league. Their bullpen is also one of the best in the entire league, with Felix Bautista being one of, if not the best, reliever in baseball. He has a 1.48 ERA across 56 appearances, and having such a reliable reliever is very important, especially in the postseason. The only issue with the Orioles team is their lack of playoff experience, as the O’s haven’t made it to the postseason since 2016. Even with their lack of experience, the Orioles’ raw talent can carry them through this October.
Chicago Cubs
This year’s Chicago Cubs are one of the most underrated and likable teams in baseball. Cody Bellinger has had the best comeback season this year with significant improvements in AVG, SLG, TB, and OPS. He’s grown into one of the best offensive options in the entire league, consistently near the top of most offensive categories. Ace Justin Steele has been one of the best starters in the entire league, and he currently bolsters a 3.00 ERA. The main thing holding the Cubs back, however, is their lack of depth. They consistently rank around the middle of most offensive and defensive categories, including bullpen ERA, FPCT, HR, and AVG. This Cubs team, however, still has some of the league’s best players and has previously proven to make surprising runs throughout the regular and postseasons.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have been consistently one of the best teams over the past decade of baseball, and that’s carried over to this season. Kyle Tucker has built off of his great 2022 season, and he has grown into one of the best offensive players in the league with an AVG of 0.282 and 100 RBI. The Astros have also been one of the best teams on the road, with them currently having a 46-29 away record. This Astros team may not be one of the best in terms of pure talent, but they have some of the most playoff experience of any team and could definitely win back to back titles this year.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Apart from the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers have arguably been the best team this year. The Dodgers are anchored by Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, who both are having MVP caliber seasons and make up the best duo in baseball. They are batting well over 0.300 and both have a WRC+ of 160, with Betts additionally having a 100 RBI and 40 HR season. The only thing holding the Dodgers back is not having a truly elite pitching staff, but it’s still well above average, and the Dodgers could very easily win the World Series this season.
Miami Marlins
Throughout this season, the Miami Marlins have had one of the best offenses in the entire league. Luis Arraez is the best contact hitter in baseball right now with an incredible 0.353 AVG and 200 hits. Players like Jorge Soler and Jake Burger have added great power to the offense, with them both having 30 HR seasons. The defensive side of the ball is the biggest thing holding the Marlins back, and they place anywhere from average to below average in categories like FPCT, BAA, and ERA. If the Marlins’ pitching staff and defense can step up, and the offense continues producing at their regular season rate, the Marlins could have a shot at a decent playoff run.
Milwaukee Brewers
In the postseason, pitching is the most important thing, and the Milwaukee Brewers have the best pitching staff in the league. Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta are two of the best starters in the league, with them combining for 400 SO. Burnes is having an amazing season with an ERA under 3.50, a BAA of 0.198 and he’s currently tied for 4th in WHIP with a 1.08. Peralta is also one of the best for most of these stats, with a BAA of 0.203 and a WHIP of 1.08. The Brewers also have the second lowest ERA of any bullpen, and they’ve allowed the fewest hits. The only issue for the Brewers is their batting, which is average at best. They consistently rank near the middle of most offensive stat categories, and they lack a truly elite bat in their rotation. Even with some of their offensive struggles, Milwaukee’s pitching can help carry them through this October, potentially to a deep playoff spot.
Minnesota Twins
The Twins have been a surprising underdog to come out of the AL Central this year. Pitcher Sonny Gray has come back to his 2019 All-Star form with an incredible 2.80 ERA and a BAA of 0.227. This Twins defense has also been one of the league’s best, with a great FPCT of 0.988. The biggest problem with the Twins is their lack of offensive production, which has really held back the team. They’re about average in stats like R and TB, and they lack a truly great hitter. However, in the postseason, where pitching and defense matters most, the Twins could do fairly well.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies have been a great team throughout this entire season. They have a great offense that ranks near the top for TB and SLG, anchored by Nick Castellanos, who is currently having a 100 RBI season. This team has had a great stretch in the last part of the season, and they appear to be getting hot at the right time. Apart from their spotty fielding, this Phillies team is one of the best in the entire league, and they’re a great dark horse to win the World Series this year.
Seattle Mariners
If the Seattle Mariners make a deep run in these playoffs, it’ll be due to their pitching staff. The Mariners’ starting rotation is the most dominant in all of baseball, and they consistently place at the top of most major pitching categories. They’re 9th in SO, 6th in BAA, 3rd in WHIP, and 1st in ERA with 16 SHO this season. Their rotation is anchored by Luis Castillo, who’s one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, and rounded out by Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. All-Star Julio Rodriguez has had an explosive 100 RBI, and he has broken multiple MLB hit records. The Mariners’ biggest issue is their consistency, with their season being filled with historic highs and lows. If the Mariners can get hot at the right time and stay consistent, they have a great shot at making a deep playoff run this season.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays were an early season favorite to win the World Series, but injuries and off the field issues have held back the team. Even with some of these issues, the Rays are still one of the best teams in the AL. The Rays have an excellent offense, with them being 5th in HR, 8th in AVG, and 4th in OPS. Their pitching staff has led the league in WHIP with a 1.16, and they’re second in BAA with a 0.229. Even with some of the struggles Tampa has grappled with throughout the season, they’re still a well rounded team that has a great shot of going deep this October.
Texas Rangers
Inconsistency has plagued the Texas Rangers and has really held them back from being one of the best teams in the MLB. The Rangers have one of the best offenses in baseball, with Corey Seager, Adolis Garcia, Marcus Semien, and Nathaniel Lowe being some of the league’s best hitters. The main thing holding the Rangers back is their bullpen, which has been terrible throughout the year. Their bullpen has combined for one of the worst ERA for all bullpens across the league, and they’re near the bottom for SO and SV totals. If the Rangers’ bullpen can find their footing and the offense can continue producing at the levels we’ve seen during the regular season, the Texas Rangers could have a chance at making it to the world series.
Toronto Blue Jays
Apart from the Milwaukee Brewers and the Seattle Mariners, the Toronto Blue Jays have the best pitching units in the MLB. They’re 3rd in ERA and 1st in SO, with ace Kevin Gausman having a great pitching season. Shortstop Bo Bichette has had a great season, with him batting 0.300, and he has a career best individual FPCT of 0.978. This Blue Jays team also has one of the best bullpens in baseball, and one of the best overall defenses as well. The Blue Jays play in the very competitive AL East, but they’ve still proven to be one of the best teams in baseball, with arguably the best pitching staff. In the postseason where pitching is so crucial, a team like the Blue Jays will thrive, and a deep run by them this October wouldn’t be surprising.
