By Marvin A Azrak.
The 2022 MLB season has hit the all-star break, meaning we’re 60% of the way through the regular season(112 of 186 days), which means it’s a great time to take a snapshot of where we currently are and create a fresh batch of MLB power rankings. Enjoy!
Power rankings;
1. New York Yankees(64-28)
After another sluggish start to a season, I gave the Yankees the riot act as a fan and called them out for the continuous inconsistency that had plagued them the past two seasons despite playoff appearances. Yet here we are in mid-July, and all they have is the best record in baseball and a13 game lead in the best division in the sport. Six Yankees (Aaron Judge, All-star game MVP Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Trevino, Nestor Cortes, Clay Holmes, and Gerrit Cole) became all-stars, and six have at least ten homers, including Judge, who at 33 bombs is on pace to match Rodger Marris franchise record for most home runs in a season in his walk year nonetheless. But wonderment resourced from revelations such as Matt Carpenter, who at 36 years old, was DFA’d and thought his career was over before the Yankees came calling, and now he’s got 13 homers, a .354 average, and a 1.380 OPS with 34RBI’s, off the bench delivering in vital moments such as his 7RBI night against Boston in a 14-1 win just two days before the break before a 13-2 victory clinched series on Sunday. Behind the dish, it’s been the Jose Trevino show as the precipitous two-way star won the job over Kyle Higashioka and became an all-star himself, simply outplaying his trade value from Texas, which was the baseball equivalent; of pennies in “cash considerations.” As for the staff, for a drive of five that insufflated a myriad of question marks before the season, they’ve passed all tests with flying colors, as none of Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino(IL now), Joran Montgomery, Nestor Cortes JR or Jamison Tallion have under a 4.00 ERA which speaks consistency. While the bullpen has lacked the predominance of Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Losiga due to injury and poor play, others such as newly implemented closer and all-star Clay Holmes(1.31ERA, 41.1 IP) and Micheal King(2.19 ERA, 49.1 IP) have filled the scants. I laugh now at my 87-win prediction for this team because when I set my expectations pretty low considering the organization’s lofty standards, they’ve done the polar opposite and even exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. They’re not just hitting bombs (Although they lead the league in that regard with 157); instead, they score a good chunk of their runs through “small ball” and guys just getting on base. The Yankees have been a defensive machine, too, for Isaiah Kiner Falefa, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, Anthony Rizzo, and Josh Donaldson have cobbled their nightly highlight reels with their dazzling gold glove-worthy web-gems, which has helped NY limit more runs per game than anyone else per Fangraphs. This team is chasing not just their history but MLB’s best at that, and I’m here for it. Here’s to a great second half, boys. Let’s finish the job and bring #28 back to the Bronx.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers(60-30)
Early this season, they went on stretches such as 11 of 13 and 13 of 15, but mediocrity in between had fans restless for the juggernaut of a team they expected to show up. It’s happened as they’ve won 16 Of 20 entering the break and are on track to win the NL West again. Shoutout to Tony Gonsilin and his 11-0 record with a 2.02 ERA to go along with 86 strikeouts and a 0.84 WHIP. You’ve earned my consideration for winning CY Young this year which may very well happen if you and the rest of the vaunted Dodgers keep their predominant play en route to at least another NLCS appearance.
3. Houston Astros(59-32)
The reigning AL champs haven’t gone quietly into the night despite the Yankees’ dominance and even invaded their rival’s house on June 25th, twirling a combined no-hitter. Justin Verlander is at the peak of his powers, Yordon Alvarez deservingly mashed his way to the six-year $115 million deal he just signed, Kyler Tucker is leading the team in RBIs with 62, and the rookie Jeremy Peña has more than made up for the loss of Correa with his .263BA/ 13HR/35RBI slashline as well as his superior defensive prowess. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for mainstays Framber Valdez, Jose Urquidy, Cristian Javier, Ryan Pressly, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Micheal Brantley, Yuli Gurriel, Martin Maldanado, and Aledmys Diaz are in tip-top mid-season form. Should people call with a problem in Houston, their opponents are likely suffering from the wrath of their gaudy 28-14 home record. Whether you’ve forgiven them or not for the scandal, they’re still a force to be reckoned with, and that’s not going away with Dusty Baker at the helm any time soon.
4. New York Mets (58-35)
Is it never easy for Mets fans? Jacob Degrom and Max Scherzer have put you through consternation and then some with the fact they’ve only made a combined 11 appearances this season, yet the Amazins are sitting atop the East and are amongst the best in the league. Pete Alonso has a league-leading 77 RBIs; Jeff McNeil is hitting .300, Brandon Nimmo has rediscovered his offensive consistency, while all-stars Francisco Lindor and Starling Marte have been speedsters on the basepaths with Starling hitting.295 this year, while Lindor has lured in 66 runs. The back-end of the rotation has been battle-tested and has persevered, with Tajaun Walker, David Pederson, and Chris Bassit steadying the tide.
Even the bullpen has been a revelation, with Edwin Diaz racking up 20 saves and having a 1.69 ERA with a whooping 75 strikeouts. Fully healthy, this team is arguably the best in the NL, especially with good Ol Buck Showalter as their manager. But can they put it all together? After going from having the NL East lead for 100 days last season and not even finishing above .500, not to mention the winners of your quarter wound up winning it all, I can understand why Mets fans remain skeptical. Take every win and millstone as it comes because you never know what can happen. You gotta believe!
5. Atlanta Braves (56-38)
The World Series hangover rode its ugly head again as the reigning champions finished May four games under the .500 mark. Fans wondered if they’ll be the same after Freddie Freeman’s loss despite Matt Olson’s acquisition. But after manager Brian Snitker’s
strenuous love speech following a loss to the putrid Diamondbacks, the team promptly reeled off 14 straight wins and haven’t looked back aside from dropping two of three to the rival shorthand Mets at home last week. Howbeit, they’re in the thick of the playoff race now and are firmly the fourth seed in the NL with the division still in play. It will be one intriguing second half on the eastern Junior circuit side of things.
6. Seattle Mariners(51-42)
Is this the year the 21-year playoff drought ends? Well, the 14-game win streak the M’s are on that has revived their season seems to indicate their pretensions to do so. Good luck, guys. Much of the baseball MFA(Major league fans association) is rooting for you. I hope the young studs in Logan Gilbert and rookie phenom Julio Rodriguez continue their stellar seasons. The previously tedious acquisitions of Jessie Winker and Eugenio Suarez this past offseason now appear to be strokes of genius, for both have been serviceable, and it’s continued with their recent trade for Carlos Santana.
Oh, and who can forget about all-star Ty France, who has been the catalyst to the Mariners’ battle through the “injury bug” with his torrid play. Seattle’s mantra is “Sea us rise,” and it’s sure transpiring before our eyes.
7. San Diego Padres (52-42)
No Fernando Tatis JR, and they’re still towards the top? Sign me up for when he comes back!
8. Tampa Bay Rays (51-41)
The Rays have had many injuries in Tyler Glassnow, Luis Patino, Josh Fleming, Jeffrey Springs, Kevin Kiermaier, and rookie sensation Wander Franco, and have blown a league-leading 21 saves, yet have still found ways to be compatible. Shane Mcclanahan(10-3, 1.71 ERA) is the CY young favorite, while Isaac Parades and Harold Ramirez have been an epiphany of sorts which still has Tampa in the running for another pennant chance this October. I can’t say I’m surprised because, after all, it’s their organizational philosophy.
9. Philadelphia Phillies(49-43)
Joe Girardi was relieved of his duties, and since then, the Phillies have gone 27-14, looking like an aberration of their former incompetent selves led by Kyle Schwarber’s resurgent 27-homer first half.
Does their bullpen have enough left in the tank, and can they stay healthy(Including Bryce Harper) to hang onto their current Wild Card berth? We shall see.
10. Toronto Blue Jays (50-43)
I want to take this time and express my apologies for selecting this band of birds to represent the American League in the World Series this season because they’ve done anything but that thus far. Yes, they’re in the top 10 in my rankings, but they were expected to be a juggernaut, and it got turmoil to the locus where they axed manager Charlie Montoyo despite being 46-42 at the time and in a playoff spot. Jose Berrios, Bo Bichette, and Lourdes Gurriel JR have regressed, hampering the brunts Vlad Guerrero JR, Kevin Gausman, Alec Manoah, and Alejandro Kirk have made on the team. A season that looked at propositions is now ruinous in ambiguity.
11. St Louis Cardinals (50-44)
They’re within striking distance of the NL Central despite not permeating the masses of Jack Flaherty, among others. But the augmentations of Miles Mikolas, Tommy Edman, Nolan Arenado, MVP front-runner Paul Goldschmidt and what’s left of the legendary Albert Pujos and Yadier Molina have kept them alive and kicking as we head into the second half.
12. Milwaukee Brewers(50-43)
Rinse, wash, repeat. The Brewers are here because of their stupendous pitching, but that’s it. Trudging an average lineup out there won’t win you the central, but the foursome of Corbin Burnes, Eric Lauer, Devin Williams, and Hoby Milner will! If someone on this team could use the all-star break, it’s Josh Hader, as the all-star closer has allowed five homers and a total of 12 runs in his past six relief appearances after not allowing his first run of the season until June 7th. Only time will tell if he’s hit a wall or it’s just a bump in the road. Either way, teams will inquire about his services at the trade deadline.
13. San Francisco Giants(48-43)
They weren’t going to replicate last year’s success, but even this wasn’t expected. Yes, Carlos Rodon’s 2.06 ERA and 131 strikeouts are fantastic, but they lack the pitching depth and health to make a run at the division, with it showing in their brutal mid-summer 4-14 swoon. On the bright side, a new part of the season begins on Thursday, and they’re right in the thick of the wildcard race. Hopefully, a “Giant” leap is near so we can have September chaos out west again as baseball fans.
14. Boston Red Sox (48-45)
A 23-27 start created some impugn in Beantown, only for a 19-4 June to rekindle the hopes of another deep playoff run. If not for Judge and Ohtani, Rafael Devers would be your MVP front-runner as the 25-year-old stud has slashed .324/22HR/55RBI/980OPS through the season’s first half, but unfortunately for him, the Bosox have had trouble agreeing on a long-term contract extension with their cornerstone third baseman. On the flip side isn’t much positivity with a 6-14 July swoon sees them reeling headed into the break, including two perplexing defeats at the hand of their division leaders, who they’ve struggled to keep up with this year. With the top-heavy AL, despite teams clamoring for the playoffs with the extra wildcard spot, it’s not a certainty the Bosox will be there in October, especially if the rollercoaster isn’t steady any time soon.
15. Minnesota Twins(50-44)
Who’s going to be the best of the worst? The Twins are winning that race led by all-star Luis Arraez, whose .338 batting average was ultimately recognized.
Carlos Correa and all-star Byron Buxton have meanwhile done the heavy lifting at the plate, with Gio Urshela(As a Yankee fan, I don’t miss him, nor do I miss Gary Sanchez), Max Kepler, and Jorge Polanco being serviceable enough to help keep this team afloat with the mediocre bullpen they have despite a solid rotation led by vets Sonny Gray and Dylan Bundy.
16. Baltimore Orioles (46-46)
The “Left field complaints” were subdued at Camden Yards with the “Great wall of Camden” and the promotion of 2018 NO 1 pick catcher Adley Rutschman to the big leagues. With him, Baltimore is 27-19 but 19-27 minus him. The fact they’re even respectable at .500 despite being dead last in the pernicious AL East is something to savor. In June, they recorded their first winning month in a few years and went on a ten-game win streak which was their longest in decades. You got something cooking here, O’s; let’s see where it leads.
17. Cleveland Guardians (46-44)
New name, same result. I love the hitting in Andres Gimenez(.296/357OBP/.478OPS), Josh Naylor(.274/.328/.507), and Jose Ramirez (288 BA, 19HR, 75RBI’s, .944 OPS), and the bullpen anchored by closer Emmanuel Clase(19 saves not including the one he just notched in the All-Star game to seal the American league’s ninth straight win 3-2 in LA), as well as team ace Tristan McKenzie( 7-6, 3.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) but a 5-14 stretch has prodded fans of what this team lacks… consistency. Due to the embroiled struggles of those around them, the division is still in play and is a realistic pursuit that should make them buyers come to the trade deadline.
18. Chicago White Sox (46-46)
Tony La Russa was given the keys and has quite gruesomely sputtered at the wheel. Although the Chisox have been banged up and inconsistent, there’s no reprieve for intentionally walking a batter on a 1-2 count, especially when the next batter goes yard to win that particular game. Horrific bullpen management and inexplicable lineup cards such as hitting the slumping Leury Garcia third have everyone diagnosing the reigning AL Central champions with “Las Russaness.” How the mighty have fallen.
19. Miami Marlins (43-48)
Sandy Alcantara can’t be stopped. He’s on a mission with his 9-4 record 1.76 ERA, 123 strikeouts, and 0.90 WHIP to win the NL CY Young award. He’s helped Miami draw eyeballs when they desperately need it. They’re within striking distance of a Wildcard spot, being just six games which would be a spectacle since the fans haven’t tasted that atmosphere since the 2003 World Series win. Keep fishing in the second half, guys; you may reel in with some “Marlins magic” after all.
CELLAR DWELLER:
20. Colorado Rockies (43-50)
21. Texas Rangers (41-49)
22. LA Angels (39-53)
23. Arizona Diamondbacks(40-52)
24. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-54)
25. Detroit Tigers (37-55)
26. Chicago Cubs (35-57)
27. Kansas City Royals (36-56)
28. Cincinnati Reds (34-57)
29. Oakland Athletics(32-61)
30. Washington Nationals (31-63)
TALES FROM THE BASEMENT:
* Miguel Cabrera acclaiming 3,000 hits was one of the best moments of the MLB first half.
* Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout have been their generational selves, yet the Halos still are a laughingstock. Teaches you baseball is a team sport.
* A wholesome moment in Phillies land arrived when former Houston NO1 pick Mark Appel made his “surreal” MLB debut this year, despite it taking him until his age 30 seasons after being drafted in 2013 to crack the bigs, including early retirement. However, as baseball fans, we’re happy to see he’s finally been given the opportunity. Good luck the rest of the way!
* New HR derby champ and 23-year-old Juan Soto is on the trading block after he declined a 15-year $440 million extension from Washington. They were so enraged that they forced him to fly commercial to LA and did the all-star festivities. He landed at 1:30 AM Monday, then promptly won the derby and even said he’s representing the Nationals. Do him and yourselves a favor and trade him because contenders are craving for an OF stud of his stature.
* upsets anyone? The Pirates swept the Dodgers, and the Reds were the third team to take a series from the Yankees, winning two of three at Yankee Stadium last week.
* The Rockies are 28-22 at home yet 15-27 on the road. That’s the “Cores field effect” at its finest.
PLAYOFFS IF THE SEASON STARTED TODAY(7/20/22)
AL:
Wild card(Best of 3, all games at higher seed’s park)
6. Blue Jays @ 3. Twins
5 Rays @ 4. Mariners
BYES:
1. Yankees
2. Astros
NL:
Wild card:
6 Phillies Vs. 3 Brewers
5. Padres Vs. 4 Braves
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