BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 31: The Boston Red Sox World Series Trophies on display at Fenway Park before the Victory Parade around Boston on October 31, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
With the 2022 MLB All-Star break roughly a month away, it is time to start glancing at the standings with the season halfway approaching.
It seems like this year there are a few top-heavy teams with solid leads in their division and the rest of the teams are all bunched together. For example, you have the New York Yankees with a 49-17 record and an 11-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. It is safe to say the Yankees are going to be contenders going towards the end of the season.
Besides the Yankees, you have the New York Mets and the Houston Astros who both have solid leads in their divisions. The first-place teams in the American League Central, National League Central, and National League West are only a few games apart. With the divisions pretty much heavily favored by their first-place teams, the Wild Card spots are up for grabs. Looking at the early Wild Card spots, several teams are bunched together, separated by one or two games.
It is crunch time, so which three winning MLB teams will fade out of contention?
Boston Red Sox
Entering Monday’s play, the Boston Red Sox sit fourth in the American League East behind the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rays, with a 36-31 record. The Red Sox are 13.5 games out of first place with a steep hill to climb. The Yankees are dominating the AL East and, with the Yanks’ huge lead in the division, the best bet for the Red Sox to make the playoffs would be a Wild Card spot. As of now, the Sox are a half game behind the Rays for the third Wild Card spot. Can it be possible for four out of five AL East teams to make the playoffs? With the new Wild Card format, there is a shot that the Blue Jays, Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees make the playoffs. Right now, the Red Sox are in contention to make the playoffs … but it won’t last.
Starting Pitching
The Red Sox starting pitching has been an issue all year long. As of now, starting pitcher Michael Wacha has the team’s best ERA with a 2.28 and a 5-1 record. All the other starting pitchers for the Red Sox have an average of an ERA in the high 3s. The Sox are banking on Chris Sale returning around the All-Star break, but what does Sale have left in the tank? Sale has been battling injuries the last few years and it is tough to guess what he has left.
With their current pitching rotation, the Red Sox doesn’t have a clear ace. With a lack of dominant pitching and a below-average lineup, the Red Sox can’t keep up with this Wild Card race.
Weak lineup
Taking a look at Boston’s batting lineup, you can see their key stars putting up solid numbers. Currently, Rafael Devers has a batting average of .333, J.D. Martinez has a batting average of .349, and Xander Bogaerts has a batting average of .339 … and everyone else is way below the average. Boston’s big free agent signing, Trevor Story, has not lived up to the expectations. His batting average is only .219 and is not contributing much to their lineup.
To beat the Red Sox, just pitch around their All-Star players. Boston’s other players aren’t contributing anything, and it clearly shows. I’m sure other teams will notice this trend and the Red Sox will slowly start dropping in the standings.
Jun 14, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Amed Rosario (1) reacts to scoring the go ahead run in the tenth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians have been an early surprise for the 2022 season. No one expected much from the Guardians, yet they are 34-28, sitting second in the AL Wild Card spot. Throughout the last few years, it seems the Guardians were heading towards a full rebuild. Since the Guardians have a solid farm system, it allowed them to rebuild and still be in contention to make a run at the postseason. With all the inexperienced players, do the Guardians have enough to stay in contentions for a Wild Card spot?
Can the Guardians score enough runs?
Currently, the Guardians are ranked 12th in baseball in home runs given up, a little over one home run per game. Also, their pitching staff is averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings, ranking them 15th in the league. The Guardians give up a good amount of runs, putting a lot of pressure on their lineup to produce.
Looking at Cleveland’s lineup, there are only two players with a batting average over .300. There is a third player, right fielder Oscar Gonzalez, who has a batting average over .300, but only has 86 at-bats, so his average can fluctuate quickly. With inconsistent hitting and a pitching staff that gives up a decent amount of runs, it is difficult to stay in contention for a full season.
Look for the Guardians to fade away after the All-Star break. It is only a matter of time before the Chicago White Sox get healthy and surpass the Guardians for the Wild Card spot.
Jun 5, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (44) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
Philadelphia Phillies
This year, the Philadelphia Phillies are a complete head-scratcher. Many MLB analysts had them competing for the National League East, but their inconsistency has them sitting third, behind the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. The Phillies currently have a 36-32 record and are eight games back from the first-place Mets.
A few weeks ago, the Phillies cut ties with their manager, Joe Girardi, after a below-average start to the season. Phillies bench coach Rob Thomson has been named interim manager until the end of the 2022 season. Can Thomson fire up the team enough to make a Wild Card spot? With the Mets and Braves battling out for the NL East, the only chance for the Phillies to seemingly make the postseason would be the Wild Card.
Currently, the Phillies are 2.5 games out of the third Wild Card spot. With a lot of the season left, can the Phillies turn it around? Can the Mets or the Braves choke the lead away? The answer to both questions is absolutely not.
Starting pitching is a huge issue
Right now, Zach Wheeler is the ace for the Phillies, with a 6-3 record and a 2.69 ERA. When Wheeler signed with the Phillies, he was supposed to be their number two guy, behind Aaron Nola. Nola is having a decent year, but has not put-up dominant numbers. Wheeler is the only starting pitcher under a 3.00 ERA for the Phillies.
The Phillies lineup is loaded, and they tend to produce a decent amount of runs, but without run support, the Phillies don’t stand a chance. Their whole pitching staff has been playing below average. Maybe if the Phillies make some moves before the trade deadline for some pitching, they can move up in contention. However, with an interim manager, it will be difficult to see what direction the Phillies are going to go.
Next. Our latest MLB power rankings. dark
The Phillies will always be in the mix because of their powerful lineup, but because of their pitching situation, they can’t make up enough ground to be in contention for the postseason.
