2022 Regular Season Recap
American League
National League
Was a competitive beast on a daily basis into the final week of the season. All playoff teams have an average record of 97-65. Three teams exceeded 100 wins with the Los Angeles Dodgers (111-51), Atlanta Braves (101-61) and New York Mets (101-61). Three teams advanced from the East Division, one team from the Central Division, and two teams from the West Division.
American League Wildcard Round Playoff Series
Tampa Bay Rays (East Division #6 seed) vs. Cleveland Guardians (Central Division Wildcard #3 seed)
Regular Season records: Tampa Bay 86-76; Cleveland 92-70
Head-to-Head matchups for 2022: Cleveland won four out of the six games played and outscored Tampa Bay 22-18 in total runs.
Rays are in the MLB playoffs for the fourth straight season with manager Kevin Cash. LF Randy Arozarena (20 HRs, 89 RBIs) and 3B Yandy Diaz (9 HRs, 57 RBIs) lead the offense. Pitching staff had stretches of dominance during the first half of the season. Three SPs exceeded ten wins (Shane McClanahan, Corey Kluber, Drew Rasmussen). Bullpen was paced by RP Jason Adam with eight saves, but late innings rotation is currently a guessing game.
Guardians had a magical season with seventeen new players being managed by Terry Francona. Back in the MLB playoffs for the first time since 2020. 3B Jose Ramirez (29 HRs, 126 RBIs), SS Ahmad Rosario (11 HRs, 71 RBIs) and rookie OF Steve Kwan (6 HRs, 52 RBIs) pace the offense. Five to six starting position players are considered power hitters based on their season statistics. New team name, logo and uniforms might be the jump start this squad needs to make a deep playoff run.
Prediction: Cleveland wins the series in two close games
Seattle Mariners (West Division #5 seed) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (East Division #4 seed)
Regular Season records: Seattle 90-72; Toronto 92-70
Head-to-Head matchups in 2022: Seattle won four out of the six games played and outscored Toronto 20-18 in total runs.
Mariners have finally exorcised their playoff demons due to advancing to the Wildcard Round for the first time since 2001. Rookie stud CF Julio Rodriquez (28 HRs, 75 RBIs) leads an offense that goes seven to eight batters deep. Pitching staff has improved significantly due to timely free agent signings and mid-season trades. SP Robbie Ray (12 wins) leads a pitching staff that will need their glue guys to hold a lead for closer Paul Sewald (20 saves). Playoff baseball with no expectations will be entertaining for the Seattle fan base.
Blue Jays prefer to have 1B Vladimir Guerrerro Jr., SS Bo Bichette and 3B Matt Chapman hit the baseball out the park. Sneaky pitching staff is led by Alex Manoah (16 wins) and Jose Berrios (12 wins). Bullpen tries to minimize runs until super closer Jordan Romano (36 saves), can enter in the eighth or ninth inning. Playing in the MLB playoffs for the first time since 2020 and for interim manager John Schneider.
Prediction: Seattle plays with no fear and advances in three games
National League Wildcard Round Playoff Series
Philadelphia Phillies (East Division #6 seed) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Central Division #3 seed)
Regular Season records: Philadelphia 87-75; St. Louis 93-69
Head-to-Head matchups in 2022: Philadelphia won four out of the seven games played and outscored St. Louis 22-20 in total runs.
Phillies were the last MLB team to clinch their playoff spot on 10/3/22, for interim manager Rob Thomson. Dealt with injuries to DH/OF Bryce Harper for the majority of the season. LF Kyle Schwarber (46 HRs, 94 RBIs) and 1B Rhys Hoskins (30 HRs, 79 RBIs) pace an offense that has eight power hitters. Pitching staff is led by Zack Wheeler (12 wins) and workhorse Aaron Nola (11 wins). Bullpen is by committee with Corey Knebel ending up with twelve saves. Philadelphia is peaking at the right time across the entire roster.
Cardinals have two NL MVP candidates in 1B Paul Goldschmidt (35 HRs, 115 RBIs) and 3B Nolan Arenado (30 HRs, 103 RBIs). Rest of the offense have been motivated, due to the likely final seasons for DH Albert Pujols and C Yadier Molina. Pitching staff isn’t flashy, but Mike Mikolas (12 wins) and Adam Wainwright (11 wins) keep the clubhouse loose and confident. Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos split the closer role. 36 year old Oli Marmol has been a perfect fit in St. Louis, during his first season as manager.
Prediction: Philadelphia wins a high scoring series in three games
San Diego Padres (West Division #5 seed) vs. New York Mets (East Division #4 seed)
Regular Season records: San Diego 89-73; New York Mets 101-61
Head-to-Head matchups in 2022: San Diego won four of the six games played and outscored the New York Mets 36-23 in total runs.
Padres hired manager Bob Melvin from the Oakland Athletics, during the 2022 off-season. Made the big mid-season acquisition of OF Juan Soto. Dealt with the PED suspension of SS Fernando Tatis Jr. by focusing on making the playoffs, instead of having a late season swoon. Have seven power hitters in their daily lineup. Can go with a three man starting rotation (Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell). Postseason run will all depend on how closer Josh Hader adjusts to the Mets hitting lineup.
Mets were in a daily fight with the Atlanta Braves to win the NL East Division. NL MVP candidate 1B Pete Alonso (40 HRs, 131 RBIs) leads the offense, that goes six batters deep with power. Four starting pitchers won 11+ games, and Max Scherzer has proven he wants the baseball on the biggest stage. Closer Edwin Diaz (32 saves) has thrived under pressure in the best city in the world.
Prediction: Despite San Diego leading all of the head-to-head regular season statistics, New York Mets find a way to win an instant classic series in three games
Same bat time, same bat channel in one week. I’ll review the results of the MLB Wildcard round playoff series and try again for Divisional Series round.
