MLB · 1 year ago

MLB Contenders or Pretenders? 5 Most Fraudulent Playoff Hopefuls

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are still fighting for the number one seed in the American League, but I can’t tell you the last time I’ve watched one of their games and left convinced that they’re a World Series contender. They lack the starting pitching depth needed to compete in October behind Corbin Burnes, don’t have any trustworthy bullpen arms, and have a very young offense that needs to prove themselves in the postseason. The O’s absolutely could win the World Series, but they are nowhere near the top of my list of true contenders. I need to see it to believe it.
Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians are in a solid spot in the seeding where they should ultimately finish with a bye for the wild-card round, but if they hold the second seed as many expect, they match up terribly against a team like the Houston Astros in the ALDS. Looking holistically, their offense is too streaky, their starting rotation is below average, and their bullpen hasn’t been elite in the second half of the season. The Guardians have boom or bust potential, but they look to be trending much more towards the ladder.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers deserve all the praise in the world for what they pulled off this season when no one had any expectations for them, but I’m not counting on them to have a ton of success in the postseason. Pat Murphy very well could continue to push all the right buttons to pull off the unthinkable, yet where is the talent? Their bullpen is loaded with talent certainly, but before them, their offense will be without Christian Yelich and the starting rotation lacks a true number one caliber starter. It will be a great story if the Brew Crew can make a run, I just won’t be any money behind it happening.
Minnesota Twins
What a disaster the Minnesota Twins’ season has become. While a lot of the blame can be attributed to injuries, they just aren’t winning the games they are supposed to win these days. They’re currently riding an ugly slump, quickly losing their once-comfortable lead for an AL wild-card spot. The Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners are all closing in, and it’s hard to believe that the Twins can actually hold their position unless they magically get healthy. Even if the Twins can make October, they will certainly enter as the weakest team in the postseason field.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Maybe I’m just being a hater, but I continue to struggle to get behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. As much as I try to be logical given all their might atop the batting order, I can’t do it. The backend of their lineup stinks, their bullpen is far from elite, and the starting rotation is banged up and simply not good enough. With Tyler Glasnow’s injury timetable uncertain, are the Dodgers really going into the postseason with Jack Flahrety as their number one starter? Behind Flaherty,I get the upside of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he too has to ramp back up from a lengthy IL stay. On paper, the Dodgers have the flashy names to be the favorites, but it just doesn’t make sense why if you look deeper at how this team is built.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are still fighting for the number one seed in the American League, but I can’t tell you the last time I’ve watched one of their games and left convinced that they’re a World Series contender. They lack the starting pitching depth needed to compete in October behind Corbin Burnes, don’t have any trustworthy bullpen arms, and have a very young offense that needs to prove themselves in the postseason. The O’s absolutely could win the World Series, but they are nowhere near the top of my list of true contenders. I need to see it to believe it.
Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians are in a solid spot in the seeding where they should ultimately finish with a bye for the wild-card round, but if they hold the second seed as many expect, they match up terribly against a team like the Houston Astros in the ALDS. Looking holistically, their offense is too streaky, their starting rotation is below average, and their bullpen hasn’t been elite in the second half of the season. The Guardians have boom or bust potential, but they look to be trending much more towards the ladder.

MLB Contenders or Pretenders? 5 Most Fraudulent Playoff Hopefuls

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