From the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Sports Guys MLB Power Rankings rank the top teams in Major League Baseball in the 2022 season. (Getty Images)
With the rise of talent on the diamond, this edition of the Sports Guys MLB Power Rankings and Yearly Forecast will feature the foremost teams to keep on the radar and contenders entering the 2022 MLB season. The list is gathered from stats, facts and projections around the franchise and how the team sits atop of the league’s best. The Sports Guys reasoning and analysis is based on previous and projected stats, and complete World Series odds.
5. Chicago White Sox
The Windy City’s trend has been continuously improving - First, an AL Wild Card appearance in 2020, then, an ALDS showing in 2021, what’s next? After a ten-year postseason drought, the Chicago White Sox on paper have one of the most explosive and dynamic offensive lineups in the American League. From the likes of Tim Anderson, Luis Robert, Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez, a race to the American League pennant is the next priority.
Staying with a similar rotation, with the exception of left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon joining the San Francisco Giants, the combination of Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech as starters and stars of the bullpen Liam Hendriks and Craig Kimbrel has the potential to compete at the top of the division.
The main question mark for the White Sox will be if the team can avoid pivotal injuries. The 2021 MLB season’s storylines around the franchise included the injuries of Jimenez, Robert, Abreu and Anderson throughout the year.
“If I stay healthy, I know I can do a lot of things.” Jimenez said in an MLB Network press conference. Jimenez, who experienced a torn pectoral tendon last season, has fully recovered from the injury and looks to lead his group in the AL Central.
Challenged by the new-look Minnesota Twins and the skilled batting lineup of the Cleveland Guardians, the White Sox’s journey on an extended run will be determined by the consistency of the bats and command from the pitching depth.
4. Houston Astros
The word “Win” has been used constantly in the Space City.
Coming off a third World Series appearance in five seasons, the Houston Astros successful run in the AL West has been persistent. Yes, the Atlanta Braves lifted the commissioner’s trophy after defeating the Astros, but the chances to keep a hold on the division is still in reach.
The Astros lineup continues to be filled with players with playoff success such as Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander. After losing Carlos Correa in the offseason, Houston turned toward the emerging talent such as rookie star shortstop Jeremy Pena, Martin Maldonado and Kyle Turner to fill the void of the World Series champion and Platinum Glove winner, Correa.
A rotation led by veteran pitcher Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia, the importance of high-quality starts will bolster the chances of capturing an AL West division pennant for the fifth time in six years.
“We’ve got the resources because we’ve got great support from the city. Our goal is to win championships and put the best team on the field that we can.” Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane said in a press conference.
With an active payroll of $175 million, veteran manager, two-time pennant winner Dusty Baker, and the Astros have high expectations with an overall powerful lineup and reliable pitching group. Considering the recent finishes in the AL West and familiar faces still on the lineup, the Astros' run back to the World Series remains extremely possible.
3. New York Mets
Is it time in the Big Apple?
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, who signed three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer on a monumental contract worth $130 million, locking up star infielder Francisco Lindor to the NYC landscape and the innumerable amounts of contract spending, surely believes so.
“We want to be competitive. We want to win our division and be in the playoffs, and make it far in the postseason.” Cohen expressed his team’s expectations this season
It has been a long-winded journey for the Mets, ranging from the regular season struggles, lacklustre playoff droughts, and the disgruntlement between players and fans. The new wave of talent is bound, turning towards a balanced group from top to bottom. The bounce-back year from Lindor, the power from Pete Alonso and Robinson Cano and the order of Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar and Jeff McNeil has shown potential, leading the team to a total batting average of .256.
The staple of the franchise has been the team’s starting rotation. Adding established veteran, Scherzer, to a pitching group consisting of two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, who’s out of the lineup with a shoulder injury. With the depth additions of all-stars Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker and second-year Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco, the Mets may have assembled the best rotation in the majors.
Depending on the season of the reigning World Series champion, Braves, the Mets chances to lead the NL East look positive.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
The “Next Level” of Canada’s team has arrived.
The Toronto Blue Jays have skyrocketed to the top of the American League pack, highlighted by the strength of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and Bo Bichette and the additions of right-handed all-star pitcher Kevin Gausman, and a prominent trade for Platinum Glove winner Matt Chapman.
Coming off a 91-win season, missing the playoffs by one game, the Blue Jays have returned home and are set to make a statement on the grand stage of the AL East with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays all chasing for the pennant.
Up and down the lineup, the Blue Jays are continually reaching the pinnacle of success, leaving a mark in the AL ranked third in runs scored, second in average and first in home runs in the 2021 season. Guerrero Jr. eclipsed a near triple crown season and has performed well to start the 2022 season - slashing a .351 batting average. The all-star and Silver Slugger will remain in MVP conversations for years.
The Blue Jays enhanced the starting rotation, with the extension of Jose Berrios to a seven-year deal and the progression of right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah, receiving the utmost trust from the coaching staff. Markham, Ontario native Jordan Romano has been the anchor in the bullpen, significantly contributing to the Blue Jays pitching.
Sitting with the second-best betting odds to capture the third commissioner’s trophy in team history, the Blue Jays are set to make some buzz in 2022.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting, pitching and coaching - the Los Angeles Dodgers are top-notch in each aspect of the game.
The Dodgers have reached the Fall Classic three times in five seasons, captured numerous National League pennants and stood amongst the rest in the NL West. Los Angeles had opened the year as betting favourites to win the World Series and stand atop the most dominant dynasties in the history of the sport.
After an NLCS defeat against the eventual World Series champions, Braves, in the 2021 season, the Dodgers made some franchise changes, including a list additions and subtractions for the 2022 season.
With the departures of pitcher Scherzer, World Series MVP Corey Seager and 13-year pitcher and leader Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers made a splash in the offseason, acquiring champion, Most Valuable Player and Gold Glove winner Freddie Freeman to a massive six-year contract, the Dodgers are inserted in the championship conversation, once again.
Freeman adds to a lineup with championship pedigree, highlighted by versatile star Trea Turner, MVP’s Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger, and a rotation consisting of major names such as the trio of Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Julio Urias.
“I believe we’re going to put ourselves in that position to win.” manager Dave Roberts is ready for his team to put together a World Series run in 2022.
The “Blue Crew” of the Los Angeles Dodgers is all-around impressive this season, earning the No. 1 spot on the Sports Guys MLB Power Rankings and Yearly Forecast.
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