The 2022 common season has come to an in depth, however earlier than the postseason will get underway on Friday, it’s time to take one final spin by way of the Energy Rankings.
With the 12 postseason golf equipment main the best way, right here’s a take a look at the place our voters rank all 30 groups on the conclusion of the common season.
The postseason qualifiers
1. Dodgers (111-51, final week: 1)
Los Angeles took dwelling its ninth Nationwide League West title prior to now 10 years whereas successful a franchise-record 111 video games. The 111 wins weren’t solely essentially the most within the membership’s storied historical past, however solely three groups have received extra video games in a single season: the 2001 Mariners (116), 1906 Cubs (116) and 1998 Yankees (114). The Dodgers acquired a bye to the NL Division Collection and can tackle the winner of the Wild Card Collection between the Padres and Mets.
2. Astros (106-56, 2)
The Astros claimed their fifth American League West title prior to now six seasons, with the lone exception coming within the 60-game 2020 marketing campaign. Houston was the one 100-win workforce within the AL this season because it ran away with the No. 1 seed. Subsequent up within the AL Division Collection, the Astros will face the winner of the Wild Card Collection between the Mariners and Blue Jays.
3. Braves (101-51, 4)
Although Atlanta led the NL East for less than 9 days this season, they discovered themselves sitting atop the division as soon as the mud settled. The Braves snatched away the title from the Mets — a membership that led the best way for 175 days — with a powerful sweep final weekend in Atlanta, beating Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt in consecutive video games. After going 25-27 within the season’s first two months, the Braves went an MLB-best 78-34 after June 1. Subsequent up, the Braves will face the winner of the Wild Card Collection between the Phillies and Cardinals.
4. Yankees (99-63, 5)
The Yanks bounced again from a disastrous August (10-18) by going 20-11 down the stretch — a formidable mark even with out the added strain surrounding Aaron Choose’s document chase. Choose, after all, in the end surpassed Roger Maris’ AL document by hitting his 62nd homer of the season on Tuesday evening in Texas. With the document chase behind them, the Yankees now await the winner of the Rays-Guardians matchup within the AL Wild Card Collection.
5. Mets (101-51, 3)
It’s exhausting to be disenchanted in a 101-win marketing campaign, however letting the NL East lead slip away was actually an unlucky means for the Mets to finish an in any other case dominant season. Needing just one win in Atlanta final weekend to stay in command of the division, New York as a substitute was swept in a three-game collection regardless of rolling out its three greatest pitchers. The Mets might want to rebound rapidly as they put together to host an NL Wild Card Collection matchup with the Padres.
6. Cardinals (93-69, 6)
That is St. Louis’ fourth consecutive postseason berth, although the Playing cards have been eradicated within the Wild Card spherical in every of the final two seasons. They’re going to look to keep away from an identical destiny on this weekend’s NL Wild Card Collection showdown towards the Phillies in St. Louis.
7. Blue Jays (92-70, 7)
Together with the Blue Jays having one of the thrilling younger gamers within the sport in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a pair of breakout stars will function batterymates Friday in Sport 1 of their Wild Card Collection towards the Mariners. Alek Manoah, who had a 2.24 ERA in 31 begins this season, will get the decision in Toronto with Alejandro Kirk, who made his first profession All-Star look this season, behind the plate.
8. Guardians (92-70, 8)
Cleveland seized management of the AL Central with a dominant September by which it went 21-8, together with 7-2 towards the White Sox and Twins. The Guardians will roll out Shane Bieber (2.88 ERA) and Triston McKenzie (2.96 ERA) for the primary two video games of their AL Wild Card Collection towards the Rays at Progressive Area.
9. Mariners (90-72, 10)
The drought is lastly over in Seattle, because the Mariners are heading to the postseason for the primary time since 2001. Simply as thrilling maybe is the truth that 21-year-old phenom Julio Rodríguez returned to the lineup this week, indicating he’ll be able to go within the membership’s Wild Card Collection showdown in Toronto towards the Blue Jays. The quantity of younger expertise in that collection alone makes it must-watch baseball.
10. Padres (89-73, 11)
An up-and-down season for the Padres resulted in an NL Wild Card berth that may ship them to Citi Area for a best-of-three collection towards the Mets. They’ll have their fingers full towards New York co-aces Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, however San Diego figures to counter with some postseason-tested starters of their very own in Yu Darvish and Blake Snell.
11. Rays (86-76, 9)
Tampa Bay is headed to the postseason for a fourth straight season, matching its complete from the franchise’s first 21 seasons mixed. Shane McClanahan, who completed with a 2.54 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings, will get the ball in Sport 1 on Friday reverse Guardians ace Shane Bieber in what might flip right into a basic postseason pitchers’ duel.
12. Phillies (87-75, 12)
The Phils are again within the postseason for the primary time since 2011, however they’ll must beat the Cardinals in a best-of-three NL Wild Card Collection in St. Louis with a view to host a postseason sport. Philadelphia will flip to Zack Wheeler (0.60 ERA in three begins since coming back from the IL on Sept. 21) in Sport 1 and Aaron Nola (2.36 ERA since Sept. 1) in Sport 2.
The remainder of the sector of 30:
Voters: Alyson Footer, Anthony Castrovince, Paul Casella, Mark Feinsand, Nathalie Alonso, Mike Petriello, Sarah Langs, David Venn, Douglas Gausepohl
