30-24. The Teams Gearing Up For 2023
30. Washington Nationals (48-87) — The Nats had their best week of the season with five wins in six tries…and they still have the worst record in the league.
29. Oakland Athletics (50-85) — Oakland has just two everyday players with an OPS above .700 (Sean Murphy and Seth Brown) for what is one of the league’s worst offenses we’ve seen in quite sometime.
28. Detroit Tigers (51-84) — Speaking of unproductive offenses, the Tigers came back down to Earth following an offensive explosion last week. After scoring 26 runs in last weekend’s series in Texas, Detroit managed just 15 runs in seven games this week.
27. Pittsburgh Pirates (49-84) — Pittsburgh is in danger of falling below Oakland for the worst record in the league. At least Oneil Cruz looks like the real deal. The rookie is responsible for all of the 10 hardest hit balls by any Pirates player this year.
26. Cincinnati Reds (53-79) — The Reds have been far more competitive since the break. They’ve won seven of their 13 second-half series, including taking two-of-three from Colorado this past weekend.
25. Miami Marlins (55-78) — The Marlins have been awful since the break. Miami has gone 12-30 since the start of the second-half and are currently spiraling in the midst of a seven-game skid.
24. Kansas City Royals (55-81) — The bottom-dwelling Royals have a chance to make a major impact in the AL Central race. They have eight remaining matchups against the Guardians and six with the Twins.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
23-17. Teams With Important Decisions To Make This Offseason
23. Texas Rangers (58-76) — The Rangers won’t be a major threat until they get some serious pitching upgrades, but the lineup looks to be effective for years to come. Aside from the offseason signings, Nathaniel Lowe, Adolis Garcia, and Leody Tavares appear to be long-term keepers for the Rangers.
22. Chicago Cubs (56-78) — They had been scrappy for most of the second-half, but the Cubbies have skid a bit in recent weeks. Since Aug. 21, Chicago is 4-11 while being shutout four times.
21. Colorado Rockies (57-79) — The Rockies’ two-week road trip mercifully came to an end last week. Colorado went 3-7 during that stretch, and are now a league-worst 21-46 on the road.
20. Los Angeles Angels (59-76) — Shohei Ohtani is making a surge for league MVP despite LA’s constant troubles to win baseball games. The two-way phenom is up to 32 HR on the year with a 2.58 ERA. His 12.0 SO/9 is the best among starting pitchers this season.
19. Arizona Diamondbacks (65-69) — Arizona boasts two starters who could find their way on the NL Cy Young ballot this year. Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly both rank in the top-5 in WAR for National League pitchers, and each pitched seven shutout innings in their starts last week.
18. San Francisco Giants (65-68) — Last year, the Giants won 107 games and took the NL West crown. This season, the Giants are 26.5 GB after putting together a four-game winning streak. It’s been a rough year for Gabe Kapler’s group.
17. Boston Red Sox (67-79) — As long as we’re on the topic of disappointing teams, the Red Sox have played themselves out of the playoff picture over the last two months. Boston is 9.0 GB of the final Wild Card spot despite their five-game winning streak last week.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
16. Chicago White Sox (68-67)
This Week: @ Seattle (3), @ Oakland (4)
It’s make-or-break time for the White Sox. Their AL Central foes have never been more vulnerable than now. The Guardians have been on a skid over the last two weeks, and only recently snapped a five-game losing streak. Half of the Twins’ roster is on the IL. There is no excuse for the talented Sox to not make a push down the stretch. Two more road matchups against Seattle won’t be easy, but then the White Sox face off against Oakland, Colorado and Detroit. Should be an opportune time to stack up some wins.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
15. Cleveland Guardians (69-64)
This Week: @ Kansas City (3), @ Minnesota (3)
Cleveland can feel its hold on the AL Central slipping. The Guardians lost five in a row before finally putting an end to their woes in a gutsy 6-5 extra innings victory over the Royals on Labor Day. Of course, it’s been the Guardians offense which has been the main culprit for their disappointing stretch. Cleveland managed just one run in a stretch of five losses, and plated four total in a three-game sweep to the Mariners. The Guardians will take on the Twins eight times over the next two weeks, including a three-game trip to Minnesota this weekend.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
14. Minnesota Twins (68-65)
This Week: @ New York Yankees (4), vs. Cleveland (3)
The Twins boast the most robust injured list in the league right now. The group includes Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano, Kenta Maeda, Bailey Ober, Ryan Jeffers, among other big names. Trade deadline acquisition Tyler Mahle is the most recent addition to the list after exiting his most recent start with shoulder inflammation. If Minnesota is going to capture the AL Central, it’ll have to do it without some of its best players.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
13. Baltimore Orioles (71-64)
This Week: vs. Toronto (4), vs. Boston (3)
The dream of Baltimore reaching the postseason could be fading. After losing the finale against Oakland, Baltimore took a pair of drubbings at the hands of the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays. The three-game losing streak put the O’s 4.5 GB of the Blue Jays for the final AL Wild Card spot. Fortunately, the Orioles still have eight more games against Toronto before season’s end. Monday morning’s loss to Toronto marked the seventh time Baltimore OF Anthony Santander managed a multi-HR game. The Orioles are 0-7 in such games.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
12. Milwaukee Brewers (71-63)
This Week: @ Colorado (3), vs. San Francisco (2), vs. Cincinnati (3)
The NL Central appears to be lost, but the Brew Crew are still in contention for a Wild Card spot. However, with the way they’ve played recently, it doesn’t look like a playoff appearance is in the cards. Milwaukee is 3-6-1 in its last 10 series with the wins coming against Tampa Bay (two-game series), Pittsburgh (terrible), and Chicago (terrible). Perhaps the Josh Hader trade wasn’t beneficial for either side? Taylor Rogers collected his 30th save on Saturday, but has just a 4.15 ERA since joining the Brewers.
Image Source: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
11. Philadelphia Phillies (73-61)
This Week: vs. Miami (3), vs. Washington (3)
Philadelphia won its first two games after Bryce Harper’s return, and have gone 1-6 since. Kyle Gibson was rocked on Friday, allowing seven runs in 1.2 innings of work to the struggling Giants. Ranger Suarez and Noah Syndergaard couldn’t make it past the 5th inning in either of their starts against San Francisco. The schedule certainly lightens up in a bit. Philly’s next nine games are against the two NL East bottom dwellers — Marlins (6) and Nationals (3).
Image Source: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
10. San Diego Padres (74-62)
This Week: vs. Arizona (3), vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (3)
The Padres are still hanging onto a Wild Card spot in the National League. At 74-62, San Diego is tied with the Phillies for the second/third Wild Card position — two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers. San Diego started off last week with a bang. The Dads swept the Giants in San Francisco, and won the opening game in Los Angeles to extend their winning streak to four. However, the club was dismantled in the final two games in Los Angeles — as the Dodgers outscored the Padres 21-5. On Monday, San Diego was shutout, 5-0, by the Diamondbacks.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
9. New York Yankees (81-54)
This Week: vs. Minnesota (4), vs. Tampa Bay (3)
Where would the Yankees be without Aaron Judge? The favorite to win the American League MVP, Judge continues to carry New York. New York lost both of its series last week — dropping two-of-three in Anaheim to the Angels and in Tampa Bay against the surging Rays. Aside from Judge, the offense struggled immensely. Judge smacked five homers for the week, but the Yankees scored a total of 23 runs in seven games. They now lead Tampa by just five games.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
8. Toronto Blue Jays (75-59)
This Week: @ Baltimore (4), @ Texas (3)
Currently in third-place in the American League East, the Toronto Blue Jays are making a push for the division crown. Winners of five in a row, Toronto now trails the Yankees by a mere 5.5 games — and is 0.5 GB of Tampa Bay. The Jays have won seven-of-eight overall — taking full advantage of a rather soft schedule. Last week, Toronto took two-of-three from the Cubs before traveling to Pittsburgh and sweeping the Pirates. On Monday, Toronto swept a double header in Baltimore. The Jays currently hold a 4.5-game advantage over the O’s for the final Wild Card spot.
Image Source: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
7. Tampa Bay Rays (75-58)
This Week: vs. Boston (3), @ New York Yankees (3)
Presenting the third American League East club in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays. After losing to the Royals 3-2 on August 19, the Rays have gone 12-3. Tampa won both of its series last week — sweeping a two-game set from the Marlins and taking two-of-three from the AL East-leading Yankees. The Rays cut New York’s lead in the East to five games. The club has another opportunity to close the gap this week as it travels to the Bronx for a three-game set.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
6. Seattle Mariners (76-59)
This Week: vs. Chicago White Sox (3), vs. Atlanta (3)
The Mariners are a very good team. Hoping to finally put an end to its playoff drought, Seattle finished a perfect 6-0 last week. The Mariners swept the Tigers and Guardians on the road, and did so with relative ease. The M’s outscored Detroit 21-6, and Cleveland 16-4. While the club’s seven-game winning streak came to an end on Monday (2-1 loss to the White Sox), the Mariners are in a great spot. Currently tied with Tampa Bay for the No. 1 Wild Card spot, Seattle holds a five-game lead over Baltimore for the last WC seed.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
5. St. Louis Cardinals (79-56)
This Week: vs. Washington (4), @ Pittsburgh (3)
As Albert Pujols’ quest for 700 home runs rages on, the Cardinals continue to build their lead in the National League Central. Entering play on Tuesday, St. Louis is 7.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cards have won 7-of-10, and went 5-1 last week — winning two-of-three in Cincinnati before returning home to sweep the Cubs. If the playoffs were to start today, the Cardinals would host the Padres in a best-of-three set.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
4. New York Mets (85-50)
This Week: @ Pittsburgh (4), @ Miami (3)
Despite owning the second-best record in the National League, the New York Mets are only one-game ahead of the Braves in the NL East — which means the Mets are dangerously close to being the No. 4 seed in the NL playoffs instead of enjoying a first-round bye that goes to the No. 1 and 2 seeds. Last week, the Mets started off on a high note by taking two-of-three from the Dodgers. However, the club took its foot off the gas over the weekend and lost a home series to the Nationals. After winning the opener, New York lost Game’s 2 and 3, 7-1.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
3. Atlanta Braves (84-51)
This Week: @ Oakland (2), @ Seattle (3)
After falling short against Colorado, 3-2, to open the week, the Braves rattled off five-straight victories. Impressively, Atlanta held the Rockies and Marlins to a total of eight runs in six games. On Wednesday, the Braves knocked off Colorado 3-2. Over the next four days, the club pitched a shutout and held Miami to one run three-straight games. Atlanta is a threat to win another World Series.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
2. Houston Astros (87-48)
This Week: vs. Texas (3), vs. Los Angeles Angels (3)
The Astros are very good, and three of the four other teams in the American League West are not-so-good. Last week, Houston played two of the not-so-good teams — the Rangers and Angels. Predictably, Houston went 4-1 against the subpar division foes. Thanks to some favorable scheduling, the Astros once again get to enjoy a week of playing Texas and Los Angeles. There is no reason to believe Houston won’t have 90+ wins by the end of the week.
Image Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (92-42)
This Week: vs. San Francisco (3), @ San Diego (3)
It was a mediocre week for the Dodgers, but the team remains 50 games above .500. The Dodgers wrapped up their seven-game road trip with a series against the Mets. Los Angeles won Game 1, 4-3, but dropped two close games to close out the series. Back at home, the Dodgers laid an egg against San Diego in a 7-1 loss — but proceeded to dominate the Dads to finish the week. The Dodgers dismantled the Padres 12-1 and 9-4, respectively, in the final two games.
Image Source: Getty Images