MLB Power Rankings: Braves running up that hill, White Sox stuck in the upside down
By Tim Boyle
10. MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers and Cardinals are in one of those old-fashioned wrestling matches when they exchange punch after punch. Sometimes, one of the fighters gets in a couple of punches in a row. Right now, it feels like the Brewers are taking advantage while the Cardinals are slipping a little bit. An early prediction for next week: the story is completely different.
Like their National League Central rivals, injuries to the pitching staff have been a major roadblock this year. The Brewers have received several blows to the staff with only Corbin Burnes holding on strong. Because they do possess one of the most incredibly built bullpens out there, they haven’t managed to fall off the map.
9. MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox
No team has shocked more this year than the Boston Red Sox. Right as everyone was ready to eliminate them from postseason contention after the first month, they’ve proven they are going to play October baseball.
Still flawed, the Red Sox could use a starting pitcher and maybe a great closer before the season is over. The offense is perfectly fine with maybe some room to add platoon players or depth. Building on their momentum will be the key to winning it all in 2022.
8. MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins
This year’s Minnesota Twins are about as well-balanced as it can get. Certainly not at the level of some other clubs, the American League Central is theirs to lose. Fortunately, only the Guardians have a chance to take it away from them. The Twins look and feel a lot better than them.
Maybe the best story to come out of Minnesota has been the ability of some unknowns to step up. Devin Smeltzer has been brilliant for them on the mound while Joe Ryan has ace material in him. Even veterans whose best days looked to be behind them have been terrific. Chris Archer and Sonny Gray are completing a Twins staff that might have an advantage in the postseason if what we’re seeing in the regular season is true.
7. MLB Power Rankings: Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays could lead a lot of division. Unfortunately, they’re in the American League East. One bad week and they could find themselves in fourth place.
Toronto is an offense-first, outpitch you later kind of team. Three trade deadline priorities for them should be to add a starting pitcher, a bullpen arm, and a left-handed bat. These three pieces could be all that’s missing from the championship equation.
6. MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres
Maybe the finest example of how to win games with a below-average offense, the San Diego Padres fall just outside of the top five this week. It’s a strong spot and they have their starting pitchers to thank for it.
The starting staff in San Diego might only have one serious Cy Young contender on it, an honor possibly headed Joe Musgrove’s way. But a multitude of aces isn’t necessary to win games. You want five quality starting pitchers. If we include Nick Martinez in the conversation and the return of Mike Clevinger, it looks like San Diego has five good arms already. They can be a very dangerous team and shut down any offense.