Ladies and gentlemen, the postseason is finally here.
We’ve got October baseball in full swing starting tomorrow with the Wild Card Series.
So, before we start, it’s important to see how the teams are being ranked based on their strengths heading into October.
Pitching is usually your foundation when you get to this point.
MLB.com released a ranking list of each of the 12 teams’ pitching staffs heading into October.
With Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Luis Garcia, the Houston Astros rank at the very top.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays round out the rest of the top five.
Wake up babe, postseason pitching staff rankings just dropped. pic.twitter.com/06NVkTMy1y
— MLB (@MLB) October 6, 2022
MLB.com Ranks Astros Pitching At No. 1
Houston’s pitching is certainly a strength.
Led by Verlander, who has put himself at the front of the race for the American League Cy Young Award, the Astros have an elite staff that could carry them deep into October, and potentially to another World Series title.
There will be other teams who can challenge them pitching-wise though.
The Astros certainly aren’t alone.
They could run into the Guardians in the ALCS and be faced with the task of beating Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie.
We could also see a rematch of the 2017 World Series, where the top two ranked pitching staffs can meet again.
As of right now though, MLB.com has the Astros at the top of the list, and it’s easy to see why.
Even at the age of 40, Verlander leads a solid group of fireballers that could carry the Astros to the promised land.
We’ll see if MLB.com’s rankings hold up this postseason.
There’s a lot on the line and a lot of great pitching that could lead a team to a title.
NEXT: MLB Analyst Makes Bold Justin Verlander Claim