2022 MLB playoffs: ranking the title contenders from first to worst

The MLB postseason begins on Friday with the start of the three-game Wild Card series. Thanks to an expanded playoff format, this year’s field features both familiar faces and intriguing newcomers. Below we rank every playoff team by their likelihood of winning the 2022 World Series.

Strengths: Where to start? The Dodgers set a franchise record by winning 111 games in the regular season (the fourth-most by any franchise in MLB history). With Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman, they may well have the best offense in baseball. Plus, their starting pitchers have the best ERA.

Weaknesses: Can future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw reverse his habit of slumping in the postseason? Can manager Dave Roberts push the right buttons with a bullpen that is still in flux after the demotion of closer Craig Kimbrel? Will their Wild Card bye and home-field advantage pay off against stiff National League competition? Stay tuned.

Key player: Mookie Betts, OF. There are plenty of Dodgers who could earn a spot on this list, but we’ll go with the one most likely to score the go-ahead run and make the game-saving catch in two halves of the same inning.

Strengths: By far the best team in the American League, the Astros have great starting pitching and offense, and a bullpen full of relievers who get strikeouts. Plus, the earliest they could face the Dodgers would be the World Series. Hopefully, they’re on the up-and-up this time around.

Weaknesses: Theoretically they should have one, right? Ryan Pressly is a quality reliever but not really the kind of intimidator that you would prefer in a must-win playoff game. Second baseman Yuli Gurriel has had a down year, batting just .242, with eight home runs. Still, these Astros look