The extra wild-card teams set up what should be an intriguing 2022 MLB postseason. Where does each team stand ahead of playoff action?
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (111-51)
After winning the most games in franchise history, the Dodgers are the worthy World Series favorites. LA has multiple MVP-level players and a deep roster overall—from at the plate to in the field to on the mound—with October experience.
2. Atlanta Braves (101-61)
But the Braves should not be slept on after their players showed how clutch they were during their championship run in 2021. Unlike last postseason, star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. will be in the mix for Atlanta as they look to become the first team to repeat since 2000.
3. Houston Astros (106-56)
The Astros top the American League comfortably, and they have the likely AL Cy Young winner in Justin Verlander anchoring the staff. With all the talk of the asterisk next to their 2017 championship for cheating, remaining players Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are no doubt highly determined to get back to the Fall Classic again—and win it again this time.
4. New York Mets (101-61)
The Mets had a bit of a collapse within the NL East, but they’re now in the dance and have the pieces to make a run. Jacob deGrom has shockingly allowed three runs in each of his past four starts, and Max Scherzer had a subpar outing in the key series against Atlanta which ultimately lost New York the division, so those two can and must step up for the Mets to compete for a world title.
5. New York Yankees (99-63)
Aaron Judge carried the Yankees to nearly 100 wins this season, and New York has the second-best run differential in baseball (+240)—though that was thanks in large part to their hot start. Now in October, the Yanks need to find a way to get hot again as they look to finally get back to the World Series.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (92-70)
The Cardinals are led by Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and a resurgent Albert Pujols that rocketed past 700 career home runs and could be a highly impactful bat in critical spots this month. The interesting deadline moves for St. Louis gave them a boost, and they have a nice blend of talent and experience.
7. Cleveland Guardians (92-70)
The Guardians remained quietly in the background for most of the season and exploded in the final stretch to win 92 games and run away with the AL Central. Would anyone be shocked if Terry Francona’s club makes a deep postseason run?
8. Toronto Blue Jays (92-70)
The Jays bounced back from a disappointing 2021 to coast into the postseason this year, and the young roster might not know any better than to play carefree and make a run. If Toronto can get past Seattle, they’ll face Houston in the ALDS.
9. Philadelphia Phillies (87-75)
With a tremendous one-two punch atop the rotation in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, along with a star-studded lineup that includes Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and NL home-run leader Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies profile as a team that can go deep into October. That said, they did back into the playoffs to some extent—but it’s good to see Philadelphia back in the postseason for the first time since 2011 (a series loss to their opponent, the Cardinals).
10. San Diego Padres (89-73)
Both the Dodgers and the Braves would be tough in the NLDS, but the Padres have quite the path to a World Series if they can get there. First, they’ll face a Mets squad that won 101 games—and the rival Dodgers would be up next with a win. Manny Machado and Juan Soto are obviously two superstars to keep an eye on, but Josh Hader might have figured some things out and can help shut the door at the end of games if San Diego can build leads.
11. Seattle Mariners (90-72)
Like the Phillies, the Mariners ended an MLB-long postseason drought. But now Seattle is also looking to end a two-decade drought of not winning a postseason series. The matchup versus the Jays should be a ton of fun considering it’s between two young, exciting offenses.
12. Tampa Bay Rays (86-76)
The Rays really backed into the postseason to some extent. They had clinched days ahead of the end of the regular season, but losing five straight games ahead of the playoffs is not great. That said, the Guardians aren’t a completely loaded team, and Tampa Bay has shown that they can play the potential second round opponent Yankees well, so a run would be no surprise for a team with past postseason success.