MLB Power Rankings: 1 reason why each team won’t win the World Series
By Tim Boyle
10) MLB Power Rankings: St. Louis Cardinals dug an early grave
Inconceivable is the way to describe how the St. Louis Cardinals have performed so poorly this year. The names and faces are, for the most part, the same. Willson Contreras looks like a bust behind the plate and at it if we’re going to be completely honest.
The Cardinals are well on their way to being the biggest surprise seller at this year’s trade deadline. The early grave they dug for themselves is too deep to climb out of.
9) MLB Power Rankings: Los Angeles Angels winning a World Series is too awesome for reality
Why can’t the Los Angeles Angels win a World Series? Reality cannot handle the awesomeness of this. Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout leading this team to victory is too great of a storyline. For it to happen right before Ohtani hits free agency is even more perfect. He’d have to choose between money and loyalty. The Angels would have to do the same. Think of all of those amazing storylines. The baseball world isn’t lucky enough to get the drama.
8) MLB Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Pirates are a good story but not a championship team
Anyone who likes to cheer on the underdog loves to see the Pittsburgh Pirates actually doing more than compete this year. The team has a serious shot at actually making the postseason with a division victory. Sadly, that’s about all they’ll get. A hot wild card club or one of the stronger teams like the Atlanta Braves or Los Angeles Dodgers will knock them off. At least the Pirates are proving they can win with the kind or roster they already have. Wait until more of the kids come up to the majors.
7) MLB Power Rankings: Miami Marlins are the Miami Marlins
The Miami Heat came up short in the NBA Finals. A day later, the Florida Panthers did the same in the Stanley Cup. The Miami Marlins won’t follow the pattern. They won’t even get to the World Series because the Miami Marlins are who they are. An inexplicable start to the year, their pitching might be good enough to help them grab a postseason spot. Showing up is the easy part. Actually winning a bunch of games is where the challenge takes place.
6) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs didn’t go the extra mile in the offseason
If you believe the Chicago Cubs can turn their season around you’re not insane. So, even if they do win the National League Central, why can’t they win a World Series? The problem is what they did in the offseason. They settled for the kinds of moves an intended seller would make. Dansby Swanson and Jameson Taillon got a lot of money. The rest of their moves were primarily focused on short-term rentals. What if they had gone a little harder over the winter at improving the ball club? They might look like a real contender.