Before catchers and pitchers report spring training, what teams look like they can make the World Series? This is strictly based on the rosters on paper and has nothing to do with past performances.
Astros
The defending World Series Champions obviously need to be listed as favorites. The Astros have won two World Series in the last six years, three World Series appearances in the last six years, and they added a former MVP for this season.
One of the deepest lineups in baseball from top to bottom. The lead-off hitter, Jose Altuve, maybe the best second baseman of his era, followed by Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman. The cleanup hitter is a top-three bat in the American League in Yordan Alvarez.
The 5-7 spots Include a former MVP in Jose Abreu, an elite left-handed bat in Kyle Tucker, and Jeremy Pena, one of the best rookies in baseball last year.
Overall, this would be my pick for the best lineup in the AL, with contact bats all over the place, and the power from Alvarez seems like a combination for an immense amount of run support for the Astros’ pitching staff.
Blue Jays
After a disappointing end to the season last year after blowing a huge lead in the playoffs, this young team is loaded with bats. In fact, the only thing that may stop them from making a run this year is their pitching.
George Springer heads the lineup as one of the best power leadoff hitters ever. Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. follow as two of the game’s best young bats. The focus on Guerrero will be massive as he is seen as an MVP candidate.
Alejandro Kirk and Matt Chapman follow but lack the same pop as the top three hitters in the lineup have. However, two very solid hitters are looking to improve on last year and boaster this loaded lineup.
Overall, someone will need to step up for the loss of Teoscar Hernandez, but Guerrero’s generational bat should be surrounded by enough help to make some noise in the AL.
Yankees
Aaron Judge. That is where you have to start when you look at the Yankees’ lineup after he hit 61 home runs last year, had a 1.111 OPS, and an absurd 211 OPS+.
One of the greatest hitting seasons ever can’t happen without support around him. Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton follow him in this dangerous lineup and provide protection for pitchers trying to avoid Judge.
Gleyber Torres and Josh Donaldson offer boom-or-bust bats in the lineup at the 5th and 6th spots. Torres has the talent but hasn’t come close to his 2019 season success, and Donaldson is definitely in the final years of a respectable career.
Overall, Judge will return to reality, and someone else in this lineup will need to produce. With some young prospects chomping at the bit, expect someone not in the opening-day lineup to bring some pop to this lineup come playoff time.
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