There are six division leaders in the MLB. With under two months of the 2023 season remaining, the strongest division leaders will have the best chance of winning the World Series. Which MLB playoff division leader is the strongest?
Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Dodgers had a slow start to their season. They were not as dominant as in prior seasons and struggled to climb to first place in the NL West. But the Dodgers have finally hit their stride, winning 9 of their last ten games, winning 5 in a row, and have little contest for the division crown. Their most significant strength is their offense, a well-rounded group with little to no holes. The pitching, however, is not nearly as strong as it was during previous seasons. The sharp decline of Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin has left Clayton Kershaw as the only superstar in the starting rotation. While the Dodgers are not as strong as in previous seasons, they will still be a threat in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have failed in the postseason countless times with much better teams, making their shot at a World Series slim.
Milwaukee Brewers:
The Brewers have been struggling to hold on to the NL Central crown, making them a weak contender and not much of a threat if they even make the postseason. The Brewers are a very imbalanced team, with a solid pitching staff but a bottom-tier offense. A lack of offensive production has been plaguing the Brewers for many seasons. But they have a starting rotation of elite caliber, with every starter being a solid, efficient pitcher. The bullpen is not as strong but is sufficient to keep the team in games. The Brewers are not as stacked as other division leaders and are not potent enough to compete with other contenders in the playoffs. They have not been a legitimate World Series contender since 2018.
Atlanta Braves:
The Braves are a stacked team with little to no holes. They have an offensive powerhouse, with MVP frontrunner Ronald Acuña Jr. recording statistics that speak for themselves: 0.340 batting average, .422 on-base percentage, and .585 slugging percentage. The power-hitting Matt Olson and the speedy Ozzie Albies have also been cornerstones of an elite offense. There are countless other offensive contributors, but listing them all would be unnecessary. The starting rotation has declined since the all-star break, but it is still an efficient group. Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder are not as dominant as earlier in the season, but Max Fried has picked up the slack since returning from injury. The Braves also have one of the league's best relief pitchers in Rasiel Iglesias, keeping the bullpen from becoming a weakness. The Braves are an exceedingly strong contender, loaded with talent. It helps that they often hit their stride later in the season, making them a potent team in October.
Texas Rangers:
The Rangers have been one of the many surprisingly strong teams this season. At this point, the debate as to whether they are for real is over. Similarly to the Braves, the Rangers are a team of few to no weaknesses. When it was announced that their ace, Jacob Degrom, would miss the rest of the season, uncertainty loomed over the team's playoff hopes. But they kept the train rolling, continuing to outplay the defending Champion Astros, staying atop the AL West. Nathan Eovaldi has picked up the slack for Degrom's absence, becoming one of the league's most elite pitchers. The Rangers have unquestionably the second-best offense behind the Braves, ranking 2nd in OPS, OBP, SLG, and AVG. Adolis Garcia has been a home run machine. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien may not have been worth the money they are paid, but are still offensive cornerstones. The Rangers are legitimate World Series contenders, especially with their 3-time World Series champion head coach Bruce Bochy.
Minnesota Twins:
When a division is the worst division in the MLB, the division leader is likely the worst in the MLB. A team that has been dancing around the .500 mark is a mediocre team that should not be taken seriously as bonafide contenders. The Twins fit that description. The Twins are a balanced team, with solid pitching and mediocre hitting. A bullpen is an elite group, while the starting rotation lacks a true ace. The offense is a more power-oriented squad that produces runs often enough to win games. The Twins are not on the same level as most other division leaders, giving whoever plays them in October an easy victory.
Baltimore Orioles:
The days in which the Orioles are bottom-feeders are long gone. The O's are the most surprisingly good team this season, which is saying a lot. Considering that they have been consistently prominent throughout the season, the O's are for real. They are a balanced team with no actual strengths or weaknesses. They are an overall well-rounded team with no fragilities to capitalize on. It's rare to see such a well-rounded team, thus many have been caught off guard. However, it's questionable as to whether this will work in the postseason. The Orioles don't have any edge against any teams of high caliber. It doesn't help that the O's young roster has little to no playoff experience. Nevertheless, they are a strong team that could make noise in October, but only time will tell.
So, Which MLB Division Leader is the Strongest?
Here are the rankings:
No. 6: Minnesota Twins No. 5: Milwaukee Brewers No. 4: Los Angeles Dodgers No. 3: Baltimore Orioles No. 2: Texas Rangers No. 1: Atlanta Braves
The Rangers and Braves are very close in strength, but the one aspect that puts the Braves over their AL West competitor is that they have the better bullpen, which can sometimes make or break a team's playoff success. The Orioles are a strong team, but their postseason seems uncertain. The Dodgers are a weaker team than in many of their previous playoff shortcomings, and the Brewers and Twins are not legitimate contenders.
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