MLB Power Rankings: Bull market Braves, Black Monday for the Twins
By Tim Boyle
15) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox move ahead of the Twins this week maybe only because they’ve maintained their barely above .500 ways all year while the Twins are spiraling downward. It’s a perspective thing.
The White Sox are very much alive in the playoff hunt which is astonishing to say the least. They aren’t very good but with some guys coming back healthy in recent weeks, their fortunes have turned. Compared to the Twins and even the Cleveland Guardians, they should be the top team on paper to win the division.
14) MLB Power Rankings: Milwaukee Brewers
Here’s another comparison between the two leagues. The Milwaukee Brewers are the National League version of the Twins. It’s so obvious. Both held leads in the Central for months only to see things take a drastic turn.
How it happened is much different. The Brewers had a questionably unproductive trade deadline where the best thing they did was get rid of Josh Hader but for what in return? The Brewers constantly had the St. Louis Cardinals breathing down their neck all year. However, a wild card seemed like a decent fallback. Instead, it’s looking like Milwaukee will not make it to the postseason at all.
13) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians
One of the bigger surprises of the season is how well the Cleveland Guardians have played. Are they all that good? Their roster and the numbers would suggest that isn’t the case. When they need victories, like this past weekend when they took care of the Twins, they tend to step up.
For this team, making it to the postseason would be a lesson to the rest of the division. The White Sox began things cocky while the Twins and Tigers each made major moves to try to improve themselves. The Guardians barely did anything and somehow may still come away as the winners.
12) MLB Power Rankings: Baltimore Orioles
It seems like the Baltimore Orioles will have to settle for a strong effort in 2022. A wild card spot is just out of their reach with the teams ahead of them playing more consistently.
Coming up short isn’t such a bad way for the Orioles to finish the year. It could be a good lesson for the front office and learning experience for the players. Baltimore should already be expected to come back stronger than they have been for years. Their young core is fun. Sprinkle in some veteran talent and the rest of the American League East should start shaking.
11) MLB Power Rankings: Philadelphia Phillies
One of the weakest teams pushing toward the postseason is the Philadelphia Phillies. They’re only alive right now because of the third wild card spot. Incredibly flawed but capable of getting hot, the Phillies will need a healthy Zack Wheeler to have any chance to win a postseason series.
Philadelphia’s recent history of having a weak bullpen remains a constant fear for fans. The addition of David Robertson hasn’t been perfect. There’s a long road ahead for this team if they are able to secure a playoff spot.