The postseason power rankings aren't about regular season records, they're about evaluating who's fit, who's healthy, and who's likely to make it into October. Well then…
1. Padres: Since starting 50-50, they've gone 41-17, with Yu Darvish and Mets stalwart Joe Musgrove returning and combining with Dylan Cease and Michael King to form a great rotation, the deadline Acquisitions Tanner Scott, Brian Howing, and Brian Howing lead the bullpen during the shutdown. Jason Adam. Manny Machado is also on fire. It's hard to believe that this club, which also had Juan Soto, Blake Snell and Seth Lugo last year, is hitting .500 in 2023 and through the first 100 games of this year.
2. Phillies: The front four of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, and Christopher Sanchez is special, and the lineup is very deep. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are October's dynamos.
3. Yankees: Their rotation is arguably the best in the AL, with the dynamic duo of Aaron Judge and Soto getting some extra help here from a healthy Giancarlo Stanton and Jazz Chisholm Jr. The bullpen has looked better lately, but not overwhelmingly so.
4. Astros: They've somehow assembled a decent rotation to go with their star-studded core and bullpen, once again being the Yankees' biggest hurdle.
5. Brewer: “They're one of those teams that plays baseball and does little things,” the National League scout said. “It's no coincidence that their manager [Pat Murphy] Former college coach. The problem is rotation (“a little lacking,” the scout says).
6. Dodgers: They can get it done because they have the most exciting group of talented and experienced relievers on a daily basis. However, the rotation of new ace Jack Flaherty, returning Yoshinobu Yamamoto, mainstay Walker Buehler, and rookie Landon Knack waiting on the wing is dangerous.
7. Parents: If it's a bullpen game, it will be difficult to win. Like the Brewers, the rotation is average.
8. Mets: After a slow start, they have risen to the ranks of the best.
9. Orioles: They have talent, but are missing Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, and two other starters. He comes in dragging his feet.
10. Braves: They can pitch, that's why they're still in this situation. But even before Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley went down, their offensive output had declined significantly.
11. Tigers: They have the best pitcher (Tarik Skubal), the most appealing manager (AJ Hinch with his bullpen magic) and youthful enthusiasm. It might make waves.
12. Diamondbacks: The D-backs can really hit, but two expensive left-handers (Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery) have failed.
13. Royals: If they can accomplish that, their rotation could be scary good. That's dangerous in a short series.
14.Twins: Strangely, when they got healthy, they stopped hitting. It would take a miracle just to get in.
