MLB Power Rankings: Easy street for the Astros, a tough road for Phillies
By Tim Boyle
10) MLB Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays got a taste of postseason action over the weekend with a couple of games against the Houston Astros. It was a nice preview of what could lie ahead for them as we get deeper into October.
It’s puzzling how well the Rays are still able to play against some of the best teams. You wouldn’t know it by looking at the stat sheet. Their lineup is underwhelming, and the pitching staff is made up of players most people aren’t familiar with. Don’t be ashamed if you look in the mirror at one of them.
The Rays have a formula that consistently gets them to the postseason or near it. Unfortunately, the 2020 season is their only recent trip to the World Series where they were taken out by the much more traditionally built Los Angeles Dodgers. Someone will snipe them out of contention by the ALDS this year.
9) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners
The playoff drought is over for the Seattle Mariners but there’s a lot more work to be done. Getting into the postseason was easier than ever this season with two additional wild card spots. Unless they can actually win a series, it’s going to feel like they showed up to the big dance without a date.
It has yet to be determined who the Mariners will face in the first round. Because the American League wild card picture is so tightly packed, things can change very quickly in these final days of the regular season.
The Mariners have the pitching to do a lot of good things. It’s the lack of experience as an organization and with many of the individual players that should have many concerned. Luis Castillo has yet to pitch in a game at the level Seattle may ask him to appear. This should be just the first step into something better for the organization.