American League:
After a very long year of baseball, finally, we are here. The postseason is back and is anyone’s game. The defending champions Houston Astros barely made it just showing the competition in the American League. What’s behind the curtain of MLB contenders? Let’s find out the contestants this year.
#1 Baltimore Orioles:
Baltimore, whom no one thought of before the season, is the best team in the American League. Their rebuild seems to be ending with haste, with tons of talent from the farm system on both sides of the plate. Adley Rutchman is this team’s Salvador Perez, dominating the field and hitting for contact and power. However, the road will be tough as star closer Felix Bautista will be out until 2025. I don’t think Orioles fans will mind, the fanbase needs a deep run to their return to relevance.
#2 Houston Astros:
The reigning champion Houston Astros is once again back in the postseason. Despite their rough division giving them fits within the season, they still made it. Reality is often disappointing, which is why this team will go on a deep run once again. But if they want that to happen, they need their rotation to get their act together. They blew multiple series against the Athletics and Royals when they needed games the worst, they are ice-cold rolling in but can be a solid team.
#3 Minnesota Twins:
The worst division in baseball has a spot in the postseason, yeah. The Twins are probably the weakest team on paper that made it to the postseason besides the Marlins. They are just so mediocre and I can’t shake it off. That doesn’t mean they are bad, they actually improved on starting pitching in the offseason and it shows. Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray are legit MLB starters, which is the best thing to happen to this team. All they should focus on is just breaking their infamous 18-game losing streak in the postseason.
#4 Tampa Bay Rays:
A 99-win baseball club may be an underdog for this season not seen since the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. They are very talented but have been battered and destroyed during the season. From star players getting hurt, players getting investigated, and tough game after tough game they have made it with flying colors. Many teams have lost because of less, if they get knocked out it wouldn’t be terrible but just deflating. Rays fans already won the World Series, they got their new stadium. They’ll have to hope Yandy Diaz and pitching can destroy worlds out there.
#5 Texas Rangers:
Even though the phrase “You are what your record says you are” exists, it’s not really justified with the Rangers. They are a team where they can take the opposing team’s mistake and keep on going using it to their advantage. A very power-heavy lineup with Adolis Garcia and Corey Seager, while with solid pitchers like Nathan Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery. They can make noise against Tampa Bay, but it’ll have to take a lot out of them. More importantly, they’ll need strong bullpen play to really be true contenders.
#6 Toronto Blue Jays:
Well, someone had to grab the sixth seed and Toronto took advantage of it. They have potential, but never show it with the stars they have. They had to rely on Whit Merrifield and Vladimir Gurerro Jr. to do anything at the plate. Everyone else was okay or just bad, they’ll need to come together as a team, put egos aside, and work together. But I just don’t see it, if they don’t make progress the front office might make some changes.
American League Representative Prediction:
I’ll keep it short and sweet, I think the Baltimore Orioles will represent the American League in 2023. I believe they have a strong pitching rotation and good hitters to make a deep run. Every game for them will be really tough though, a thriller leaving you on the edge of your seat. We’ll just have to see what happens.
