MLB Power Rankings: The best-case scenario for all 30 MLB teams this season

5) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees eliminate the Houston Astros in the ALCS

New York Yankees fans can skip dessert for a year if the 2023 season includes beating the Houston Astros in the ALCS. No pattern seems as inevitable as the Yankees losing to Houston one round away from the World Series. The best possible scenario for the Yankees would include knocking off their greatest postseason foe.

4) MLB Power Rankings: Houston Astros eliminate the New York Yankees in the ALCS, again

Aside from repeating, the best thing for the Houston Astros would do to the New York Yankees what they always do. Even after re-signing Aaron Judge, handling the Yankees batters and shutting them down in four straight games in the ALCS would officially make the Astros their daddy. The only question would be which fan updates the Wikipedia page to say Jeremy Pena owns the Yankees?

3) MLB Power Rankings: Seattle Mariners are the new team to beat in the AL West

However it can be defined, becoming the team to beat in the increasingly difficult American League West should be the goal for the Seattle Mariners. They are definitely a contender. Still staring up at the Houston Astros, the Mariners need to take the next step in becoming a true World Series contender. Two other teams in their division have gotten better. It’s going to be a great fight to see these four battle it out in 2023.

2) MLB Power Rankings: San Diego Padres eliminate the Los Angeles Dodgers

Eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers from playoff contention would give San Diego Padres fans something to gloat about. Like all teams, their mission is much bigger. Delivering the deathblow to the Dodgers is maybe the second tastiest treat for the Padres. The two play each other at Dodger Stadium in September. What a way to ruin their rival’s year.

1) MLB Power Rankings: Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa plays 162 games

The Minnesota Twins land at the top of this week’s MLB Power Rankings. What could be better than Carlos Correa playing all 162 games for them? After an offseason where he was sure to leave only to return because two teams were concerned about his medicals, a clean bill of health for Correa in 2023 is the best thing baseball fans who enjoy irony could hope for. He, of course, also has the game-winning hit against the New York Mets in the World Series. Send that story to Hollywood.