Ranking the Top 5 MLB Teams With Losing Records So Far
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The Major League Baseball season is about a week and a half in so far, or about 1/6 of the way complete. Most teams are 8-10 games in, while some have played only 5 or 6, and the poor Phillies and Marlins have only played three. Nonetheless, let’s start making judgments. This is going to be all about the teams with losing records. I’m going to rank the top five teams with losing records in order (worst to best) of who I think has the best chance of winning the World Series this fall.
5. Cincinnati Reds (3-5)
Doug Gray/redlegnation.com
Not that I think it will happen, but it’s possible. The Reds were my surprise pick to make some serious noise this year. And they still could. Sonny Gray is dominating and you still have Bauer and Castillo who can do the same. Their offense has done pretty well so far, having scored seven more runs on the year than the “mighty” Yankees (though they’ve played one more game). But still…the pieces are there.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (1-2)
James Lang/USA Today Sports
The Phillies are in a unique situation so far because they’ve only played three games on the season due to postponements from the virus. So it’s tough to tell anything from one series. But there’s a lot of bats in that lineup that can really hit, especially if Harper and Hoskins have the seasons they are capable of having. Then Nola and Wheeler are fully capable of anchoring a decent enough rotation. But ultimately like I said with the Reds, I don’t think it will happen.
3. St. Louis Cardinals (2-3)
Jim Mone/AP
Unlike the first two on this list, the Cardinals are a team that has a legitimate chance of winning the World Series. Since the dawn of time, the Cardinals always find a way to win. And they always have pitching, which is key. They’ve lost three in a row, but two were to the Twins who are a very good team. Their offense will have to kick in to gear a little more than it has, but I’m confident it will. Their season has also been cut shorter so far due to the virus postponing this weekend’s series with the Brewers.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (4-6)
Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay was my pick to win the AL East this year. They quietly seem to always get it done, and they do this by their stellar pitching and defense. But so far they’ve given up 4.4 runs per game, which isn’t like them, though I know they are only ten games in. But how do they get swept by Baltimore, giving up a total of 16 runs in three games? That’s a little alarming, given their season is 1/6 of the way over. I don’t want to overreact, though, and I still think they have a great chance to make the playoffs and make some noise in October.
1. Washington Nationals (3-4)
Yahoo Sports
Just one game under .500 are the defending World Series champion, Washington Nationals. With pitching that would make just about all other teams jealous, the Nationals are always in it. Combine that with a good mix of young talent and veteran leadership throughout their lineup, and the Nats have a great shot at repeating. The first order of business, though is getting Soto back in the lineup from Covid.
Garett