MLB Power Rankings: Astros, Dodgers clinch as Padres, Phillies flinch
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Cincinnati Reds
The coveted No. 25 spot on the MLB Power Rankings belongs to the Cincinnati Reds this week. Why? A flip of the coin against the Royals is the answer. The Reds are equally as bad as Kansas City but they are a bit further ahead in their rebuilding process.
A tie-breaker, if a coin toss is how one would like to decide these things, could always end with a missing quarter or your choice of currency getting lodged on its side. If so, let’s give the Reds a great benefit of the doubt for having a better team more recently than the Royals. Fortunately for Cincinnati, this should give fans faith in a quicker turnaround.
24) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins
Sandy Alcantara is probably the only reason why the Miami Marlins aren’t quite at the level of some other teams behind them in the MLB Power Rankings. A mostly incompetent ball club that nobody expected to compete this year, we should all prepare ourselves to see them fall within the bottom five by the end of the season.
The Marlins have a lot of work to do. Is it time for a huge change like firing Don Mattingly? Or maybe they should simply become a team that spends money. That second point seems to be the bigger problem. Their prospects aren’t good enough to carry them. This is a ball club that’s biggest offseason splashes need to be wetter than Avisail Garcia and Jorge Soler.
23) MLB Power Rankings: Colorado Rockies
We need to discredit the Colorado Rockies a little more. Their run differential is getting increasingly bad and that truly is the greatest difference between teams that squeak by with victories and those that are actually decent.
The Rockies’ biggest problem is with their pitching staff. There doesn’t seem to be any answer in sight. Colorado is a horrific destination for free agent pitchers. With a not-so-outstanding offense as well, they won’t even be capable of flipping some bats for arms.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs
It’s pretty important for the Chicago Cubs to have a decent finish. They don’t have to rip through their opponents. They just need core members of the roster to perform at a high level and give fans a bit more hope for next year.
The Cubs are fully capable of having a huge offseason and getting back into the playoff picture. The 2023 campaign could be one to push forward. Rather than settle for lesser signings like last offseason’s additions of Andrelton Simmons and Jonathan Villar, the Cubs need to soak themselves with the splashes they do create.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout looks unstoppable. Shohei Ohtani is having a masterful season. What else could the Los Angeles Angels possibly ask for?
It’s a long list, actually. The Angels haven’t gotten much out of the rest of the offseason. Taylor Ward has had a good year and Luis Rengifo looks promising. Even some of the members from the starting pitching staff have earned some trust already this year. Things could be better next year. They could also maybe get much, much worse. Hold your breath!