Two weeks remain before the 2022 MLB regular-season ends. Many races are still open.
Four out of five of our top five teams have already secured a postseason spot, with the Yankees Cardinals and Guardians remaining as the division leaders vying for a playoff spot.
Although we know which contenders are likely to be in the wild-card, it is still uncertain how they will be positioned. The American League seeding has the Mariners and Blue Jays going back and forth, and the Rays being on the outside looking in. With the Brewers at the outside, the Phillies and Padres are the National League teams with much to play for in the wild card race.
Which clubs are ranked by our experts?
Our panel combined their knowledge to rank all teams in baseball. This is based on what we have seen so far as well as what we knew going into this 162-game marathon. We also asked ESPN MLB experts Buster Olney (Bill Doolittle), Jesse Rogers, and Alden Gonzalez for their opinions on the matter. They each provided an observation for each of the 30 teams.
Week 23 | Second-half preview | Preseason rankings
Record: 103-46
Previous ranking: 1
Although the regular season is almost over, the stakes are nearly gone, but the Dodgers’ remarkable success continues. They have only 13 wins out of 20 in September despite not having much to play for. They have won 73% of their games since July, and they have triple-digit wins for the 3rd consecutive full season. This does not include the COVID-19-shortened 2020 seasons, which were also on pace for more 100 wins.
The team could set a new franchise record of 107 victories by the end the week. Outsiders continue to raise concerns about the Dodgers’ pitching in the postseason. But this team continues to win, often convincingly. This is a trend that will not let up. — Gonzalez
Record: 99-51
Previous ranking: 2
The Astros have won the AL West and are in a strong position to be considered the greatest Houston team in franchise history, depending on how the playoffs turn out. They are the AL team to beat and the favorites to be back in the World Series for a fourth consecutive season.
Their catchers are still unable to hit. This is a minor problem, but it is worth noting as this roster is close to perfect. Midseason pickup Christian Vazquez He was supposed to be a catcher but after posting a 110 OPS+ in Boston that number has dropped to 51 in Houston. Through Tuesday, Astros catchers have a combined.183/.247/.305 OPS for a MLB-worst of.551 OPS. Houston obviously values defense and handling pitchers when selecting its catchers. However, that’s still very bad. Evidently, no team is perfect. — Doolittle
Record: 95-56
Previous ranking: 4
If the Mets do not play into October, it is likely that they will make mistakes and be criticized on talk radio. The refrain that the front office should have done more at the deadline for trades will continue to be repeated. This season, with the Mets securing a playoff berth and flirting at 100 wins, should be considered a success. It is the first sign of Steve Cohen’s determination to win. — Olney
Record: 93-56
Previous ranking: 3
The Braves decided in 2021 that Kyle Wright He required a long period of development in minor leagues and made only two major league appearances during the regular season. Wright made two World Series appearances and the Atlanta staff was optimistic that he might be a star this year. In fact Wright is the majors’ only 20 game winner in 2022. Wright’s win Monday was his 19th. –– Olney
Record: 90-58
Previous ranking: 5
Aaron Judge This season, Judge has produced a multitude of statistics that will be enjoyed for many years and used to build history. A simple set of numbers illustrates Judge’s success as a barometer for success in a team with many established stars. In Yankees games won, Judge’s slash line is.350/.438/.832 while in Yankees games lost, Judge’s slash line is.256/.388/.482. — Olney
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Record: 87-63
Previous ranking: 6
It’s no longer an “if” Albert Pujols It’s only a matter of time before he reaches 700 home runs. Another clutch long ball was his 698th, which he scored against Cincinnati. Pujols isn’t hitting home runs against the best pitchers in the league, which might be his most impressive feat. St. Louis will clinch NL Central in a short time, and the large lead in the division allows manager Oliver Marmol the freedom to use his slugger against righties and lefties. — Rogers
Record: 84-65
Previous ranking: 9
The Blue Jays are keen to continue winning and secure the AL fourth seed. It’s obvious that this is the case. Even if Toronto fell to the sixth or fifth slot, it might not be as bad as they thought. The Blue Jays have been playing better at the Rogers Centre than on the road this season. Although the win-loss records look similar, Toronto’s run differential (through Tuesday), is comparable to a team with 79 wins over 162 games.
The equivalent figure for road games are 100 wins. Road games are preferred by only the White Sox (A’s) and A’s (White Sox). Given the potential strength of the Astros as AL’s top seeds, it is possible that the circuit’s sixth seed will be better placed than the fifth seed to make deep runs. The Blue Jays are determined to win. — Doolittle
Record: 82-67
Previous ranking: 7
According to reports from Tampa Bay, there were two notable developments in the Rays’ starting rotation. One isn’t so great: While Shane Baz He has thrown enough to be able resume throwing after his elbow pain, but it is unlikely that this season he will play again in the game.
However, Tyler Glasnow He has made three rehab appearances for Triple-A Durham. While his workload has been limited so far, hitters are currently 1-for-14 against Glasnow. He also has struck out eight out of 17 batters that he has faced. Glasnow will likely be back in the Rays’ rotation by the end of the season. This would make him an elite pitcher for them heading into October, even if he plays a limited role. However, even if Glasnow only serves as a glorified starter in the playoffs, and is facing six to nine batters each, it will be a big boost to the Rays’ ceiling going into the playoffs. — Doolittle
Record: 81-67
Previous ranking: 8
Every year, any player in trouble has an opportunity to start over. The Mariners could really benefit from a late-season rebound. Jesse WinkerHe has had a disappointing debut season in Seattle. His September average is.147. He has 13 homers and is currently hitting.218. With Eugenio Suarez Now, Winker is out with a fractured finger. Even if he comes back at season’s conclusion, it’s still the kind of injury that could impact his performance throughout the year. — Olney
Record: 81-67
Previous ranking: 10
There were times when the Phillies appeared to be a threat to the NL powerhouses — the Mets, Dodgers and Braves. However, Philadelphia’s poor series in Atlanta, where Philadelphia managed just seven runs in three games, served as a reminder of its weaknesses, including its relief pitching. Despite the fact that Philadelphia’s relief pitchers accumulated the second-fewest innings of the majors, the Phillies rank 23rd out of 30 teams in bullpen ERA. — Olney
Record: 82-67
Previous ranking: 12
Why is the AL Central crown being threatened by the Guardians? Pitching and defense. Cleveland is ranked among the top three majors in ERA, BABIP and since the All Star break. After ranking only 17th in the first half, the starters’ ERA is now in the top 10 among all rotations. For the Guardians, the bullpen remains the main story and their greatest hope for a long playoff run.
Before the break, the bullpen was ranked 12th. However, the relievers have become perhaps the most valuable in the majors. The bullpen is ranked in the top three in the second half for all the following: ERA (batting average allowed), strikeout percentage and walk rate, as well as ERA and batting average. Terry Francona, Cleveland’s manager, is most likely to have the bullpen in its best light if they are to make it through an AL playoff field. Doolittle
Record: 83-66
Previous ranking: 11
Remember that the Padres have been optimistic about this season because they acquired Bob Melvin, a respected manager who strikes the right tone at the clubhouse. This was evident recently. Last Thursday’s loss to the D-backs saw the Padres look tired and uninspired. Melvin responded with a sharp critique of his players, something Melvin rarely does.
On the next day, players were invited to a special meeting. The Padres responded by winning five consecutive games, where their pitching staff posted a 0.80 ERA. Their offense performed well during that stretch and their starting pitchers were excellent. Juan Soto You started to move. It could have been Melvin choosing the right time and place for him to lose his cool. — Gonzalez
Record: 79-70
Previous ranking: 13
Milwaukee’s playoff hopes seem to be on life support. But every time it seems like their season is over the Brewers pull off a few wins and keep up with the wild-card hunters ahead. Although a sweep of the Yankees would have helped close the gap, Milwaukee lost the lead at home on Sunday to settle for a series victory. After that, the Brewers lost to the Mets. The gap in the NL wildcard race continues to grow to several games. — Rogers
Record: 77-71
Previous ranking: 15
Baltimore’s playoff hopes may be in jeopardy, but an 82-win or better season is definitely possible. Rookie Adley Rutschman He continues his fine debut season in the major leagues with a.935 OPS last week and an 11th home run. Baltimore will likely need to overhaul its pitching staff as the numbers are starting to fall. Over a period of four days, the Orioles allowed 27 runs to their playoff hopes. — Rogers
Record: 76-73
Previous ranking: 14
Chicago has struggled to profit from weak division competition. However, it is not possible to view the Guardians as weak competition. As you would expect, the White Sox have won 12 of 16 games against Detroit. They are still below.500 against all three other clubs in the division, including a 9-10 record against Kansas City. The high-leverage loss also made it difficult to see what could have been an important data point. Dylan Cease In his run for the AL Cy Young Award. Cease only allowed one run in six innings, despite not having dominating stuff. The White Sox let nine runs go after Cease left. — Doolittle
Record: 73-76
Previous ranking: 16
The disappointing second-half performance by the Twins is almost over. According to the latest playoff odds, Minnesota’s chances of winning are now mathematical zero. Although injuries are part of the outcome, as we turn our attention to the 2023 season, there is one bright spot: Righty. Joe Ryan.
Opening Day’s unlikely starter for the Twins has proved to be one of the Twins best performers this year, with 13 hits allowed. Ryan has been outstanding over his last two outings. Ryan has thrown 14 scoreless innings and only allowed three hits. His quality starts of 10 are the most in the Twins’ history, along with his 55.4 average game score. Ryan has made 30 career starts, going 14-9 with a 3.68 ERA plus 106 ERA+. An ace? Ryan is a viable long-term option for the Twins, although it’s unlikely. — Doolittle
Record: 72-77
Previous ranking: 18
Remember last year when the Giants won 107 to overtake the Dodgers and played them down to the wire in a five-game NL Division Series. In 2022, this is not the case. The Giants are clearly not the same team. This is evident in their performance against bitter division rivals. If you include the postseason, in 2021 the teams split their 24 head to head matchups. In 2022, the Giants lost 19 of their 19 games to Dodgers, including all three home games. They have been outscored 99-55 by the Dodgers. — Gonzalez
Record: 72-76
Previous ranking: 17
To understand why Boston is at the bottom in the AL East, Boston must only look at its record against its division. The Red Sox are now 6-9 against the Yankees after dropping two more games last week. Boston’s season is summed up by a 4-12 record against Tampa Bay, and a 3-13 record versus Toronto. Also, the Red Sox have a losing record in Baltimore so there is not much to love about this team for 2022. Having said all that, Xander Bogaerts He might be the next batting champion. He’s currently hitting.377, which is a fantastic position. — Rogers
Record: 70-80
Previous ranking: 19
Merrill Kelly‘s 2022 ERA in the Dodgers was 8.25. Merrill Kelly’s 2022 ERA versus everyone else: 2.38. The 33-year-old righthander has had a good season (12-7, 3.15 ERA and 182 1/3 innings), but he could still be a Cy Young candidate if not for his struggles with the best team in baseball. On Monday, Kelly allowed five runs in six innings and took the loss at Dodger Stadium. Kelly described his relationship to the Dodgers as this: “It’s almost like wrestling with a big brother.” Every time you get tapped out, he taps your head. — Gonzalez
Record: 64-84
Previous ranking: 20
The catcher has seen some decent growth. Jonah HeimThis was’s season. He had a week with two homers, which gave him 15 for the season. Texas can take comfort in his.406 average slugging percentage. Rangers have decent power and stolen base threats. They could be formidable at the plate for Texas in 2023. The offense should have Heim as a greater part next year. — Rogers
Record: 65-84
Previous ranking: 21
The Angels’ disappointing season was marked by one bright spot: they may have finally tapped into organizational starting pitching, which has been a problem for them for years. Reid Detmers Jose Suarez While they showed some promise, Patrick Sandoval This is the player who really stands out. The left-hander, aged 25, limited the Rangers’ runs to two in five innings Tuesday. He has also allowed just seven runs in his last 22 1/3 innings. His ERA is now 3.01 as he closes his second full season in major leagues. If the Angels are to contend in the near future, they will need more contributions from their farm system. — Gonzalez
Record: 64-85
Previous ranking: 22
Kris Bryant Although he has not been officially ceased by the Rockies, it is looking increasingly unlikely that he will return before the season ends. The former MVP hasn’t played since July 31, and has played only 42 games in his first season of a $72 million, seven-year contract. Bryant’s performance has not been bad, with a.306/.376/.475 average. However, Bryant has had to be on the injured reserve three times due to plantar fasciitis. Next year Bryant will turn 31. The Rockies have limited resources so they can only hope that it was not an anomaly season. — Gonzalez
Record: 64-85
Previous ranking: 23
Although the Cubs offense has been quiet, injuries have made it difficult for them to be competitive. Willson Contreras, shortstop Nico Hoerner Second baseman Nick Madrigal They have all been out. These are a lot of Chicago hits, so it’s not surprising that the team tallied just.204 last Wednesday. Rookie Christopher Morel After breaking out of a slump on Monday against the Marlins, he hit a home run and.059 between Sept. 12 and Sept. 19. This winter, the Cubs will search for more power. — Rogers
Record: 61-89
Previous ranking: 24
In 1972, the Phillies won 59 games. Steve Carlton was the winning pitcher in 27. He had a 1.97 ERA and struck out 310 batters. His adjusted ERA+ was 182. What? Sandy Alcantara has done with the Marlins in a year in which Miami is terrible isn’t quite up to the Carlton standard, but it’s close — a 2.37 ERA, an MLB-high 212⅔ innings and an adjusted ERA+ of 172. — Olney
Record: 60-89
Previous ranking: 26
The Royals won’t be making much noise in the postseason award races. One exception could be the center fielder Michael A. TaylorWho knows, he might be in the running for another Gold Glove. Taylor leads AL centerfielders in defensive runs saved, just ahead Cleveland’s. Myles Straw. Straw and other people have better metrics in different systems.
With two weeks remaining in the season, Taylor is second to Straw according to the SABR Defensive Index. This composite score of metrics is part of the Gold Glove selection process. Last season, Taylor was the AL’s leader in SDI. Straw came in second. Overall, the Royals are an average fielding team based on their defensive metrics. Taylor is KC’s only viable Gold Glove contender, at least as per SDI. — Doolittle
Record: 59-90
Previous ranking: 25
Even though he gave up a few home runs in his last start, lefty Nick Lodolo This might be Cincinnati’s best storyline in the second half. The strikeout numbers he recorded in September alone are impressive. After a nine-strikeout performance against Colorado, he added 11 in his next two starts against Milwaukee & Pittsburgh. He scored seven more runs against Boston on Tuesday, giving him the second most K’s in the NL for this month. — Rogers
Record: 57-92
Previous ranking: 27
Detroit is still the center of attention squarely on the futureScott Harris, a former Cubs and Giants executive, has been appointed to lead the baseball operations department. One glimmer of hope for the future is the rise in lefty numbers this season. Joey Wentz. The slow climb of the 24-year-old through the minors was, to put it mildly, non-linear. Wentz finished last season at Double-A with a record of 0-7 and a 4.50 ERA over two levels. Despite low expectations, Wentz did well at Triple-A this season and was promoted to the big leagues. Wentz, who was recalled to start on Sept. 9, has posted a sterling 1.69 ERA in his three outings. This puts him in the running for a spot within Detroit’s 2023 rotation. — Doolittle
Record: 55-94
Previous ranking: 28
The Pirates are receiving the good and the ugly from Oneil CruzHe hit three home runs last Wednesday, but also struck out 14 times in 21 at bats. He managed to hit just.191 between Sept. 14 and Sept. 18, continuing to confuse scouts. Although some doubt his long-term viability many others believe he is a great talent. Cruz has 21 walks to 118 strikes this season. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, there must be progress in plate discipline. — Rogers
Record: 55-94
Previous ranking: 29
The sport’s most popular hitter this month is none but Tony Kemp. The diminutive left fielder and second baseman is now slashing.322/.394/.559 in August. This is one of the few bright spots for a rebuilding A’s team, which has lost 29 of its 45 games since August. Kemp’s three-run homer against the Mariners ace Luis Castillo The team was victorious on Tuesday. — Gonzalez
Record: 52-97
Previous ranking: 30
It is fair to wonder if these are the final days of the highly respected career. Nelson CruzThe 42-year-old DH, Cruz, is hitting.234 and has 10 homers. Cruz has 439 career homers, but his slugging percent is.337 this season with an OPS.631 — his lowest level in any season since 2006. Cruz’s reputation for having a strong clubhouse presence has given him a clue as to how rival evaluators feel about Cruz’s performance. — Olney