The MLB American League has several teams fighting for a few spots in the postseason: the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, and Chicago White Sox are comfortably leading their divisions, but the Wild Card race is exciting.
Great pitching always wins games, but the importance of a potent, productive offense can’t be overlooked.
These three times are at least a tier above the rest of the league when it comes to producing runs in bunches.
Here are the three best offenses in the AL.
3. Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox’s lineup is one of the most dangerous in MLB, not just the AL.
When everybody is healthy, it has virtually no weaknesses, and that’s what makes it so good.
The White Sox rank seventh in MLB in runs scored per game, with 4.9.
They also rank fourth in weighted Runs Created Plus, or wRC+, with 108.
By establishing the “average” value at 100, we can firmly say that the White Sox are a comfortably above-average unit.
Catcher Yasmani Grandal is currently working his way form injury, and Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez already returned from long-term hip and pectoral ailments.
When all those players are healthy and effective, that lineup will be virtually unstoppable.
They have rookie Andrew Vaughn exceeding expectations, reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu, Robert, Jimenez, deadline reinforcement Cesar Hernandez, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, and Brian Goodwin.
It’s an impressive unit that will make a lot of noise in October.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays offense is not actually surprising, but the extent of the damage they have inflicted to pitching staffs is still eye-opening.
Toronto is second in MLB in wRC+ with 113, an amazing mark.
If you want a more traditional measure for the Blue Jays’ offense, they are tied for second in MLB in runs per game, with 5.2, and are also second in hits per game with nine.
Cavan Biggio is currently injured (and underperforming when healthy), but the rest of the big guns are locked and loaded.
The team waited months for their $150 million dollar man, George Springer, to recover from quad and oblique issues.
He was worth the wait, as he is currently slashing .285/.371/.645 with 16 homers in just 46 games.
He’s not even the best hitter on the team, as that honor belongs to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
In his quest for the Triple Crown, Vladdy is at .311/405/.619 with 35 homers and 88 RBI.
Bo Bichette, Corey Dickerson, Marcus Semien, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernandez, and Randal Grichuk complete this marvelous lineup.
The Blue Jays offense is absolutely terrifying! pic.twitter.com/2lVIDIahsh
— Justin Rey (@jreyking_12) August 7, 2021
1. Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are, by far, the best offense in MLB.
They have an outstanding 118 wRC+, comfortably leading the league.
Their 5.4 runs per game also pace the whole circuit.
They have a stable of potent bats, from top to bottom in their lineup: Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Michael Brantley, Aledmys Diaz, Chas McCormick, and other bench contributors are an unfair task for any pitching staff.
Astros Offense vs MLB:
Runs (599) – 1st
Hits (1,009) – 1st
Batting Average (.265) – 1st
OBP (.338) – 1st
OPS (.777) – 2nd
SLG (.439) – 2nd
Fewest Strikeouts – 1st#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/caYF8atuz0— Apollo Media (@ApolloHOU) August 8, 2021
Perhaps the only weak link in the offense is Martin Maldonado, the catcher (.180/.276/.311), and he is a valued and respected defender and game-caller.
Houston will, barring a disaster, be in the postseason, and when they are there, their lineup will be almost impossible to navigate if they are healthy.
NEXT: Chicago Cubs Slowly But Surely Bottoming Out In 2021