Major League Baseball is in a massive lockout, and we are at the point where games will start being scratched from the 2022 schedule. However, baseball will return in 2022 when an agreement is reached, which means there will be a 2022 World Series champion.
On Opening Day, every team has a chance to win the Fall Classic. This is why it’s the most exciting day of the season, and it should be a national holiday. Baseball coverage is currently minimal because all you can discuss is the lockout, international prospects, or players changing agents.
With this being said, I figured I would give one reason for each team supporting their 2022 World Series chances. This may be hard for the Orioles, but I am going to try my best!
AL Central
Chicago White Sox – The White Sox have the pitching staff and lineup to make another deep run. This year’s X Factor will be Yermin Mercedes if he and Tony La Russa can get along. If Mercedes can provide a power bat at catcher or DH, it will take this team to a different level.
Cleveland Guardians – It’s a new era in Cleveland, so I guess that’s a good reason why they could win the World Series. They also have a terrific pitching staff led by Shane Bieber.
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers improved a lot last year behind A.J. Hinch. He may still have the cheater label, but Hinch is one of the best skippers in the game.
Kansas City Royals – The Royals outfield is one of the most exciting in baseball behind Andrew Benintendi and Whit Merrifield. If Benintendi hits better than last year, it should make a difference in the win column.
Minnesota Twins – Byron Buxton could be the reason the Twins win the division. He hit .306 last season with an OBP of .358 and 19 bombs.
AL East
Baltimore Orioles – If the young prospects for the Orioles exceed expectations a lot, they will still finish in last place. However, the future is bright for Baltimore, and miracles have occurred in baseball before.
Boston Red Sox – Boston was not meant to go to the American League Championship last season, and they improved their roster in the offseason.
New York Yankees – The one player who can carry New York is Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton is coming off the best season of his pinstripe career. He will need to replicate this again for the Yankees to earn another pennant.
Tampa Bay Rays – Tampa Bay’s minimal payroll equates to one of the most exciting rosters in baseball. The Rays are always good. There is your reason.
Toronto Blue Jays – The young core of players will help the Blue Jays contend this season. Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Cavin Biggio are the most exciting combination of young stars in baseball.
AL West
Houston Astros – Carlos Correa is gone, but the Astros still have a good group of players. Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are good enough to take Houston back to the Fall Classic.
Los Angeles Angels – If the Angels win a World Series, Shohei Ohtani will need to win the Silver Slugger and Cy Young Award. Ohtani was terrific last season, but the Angels need help.
Oakland Athletics – The Athletics need to have a better start to the season, and they should following last year’s terrible beginning.
Seattle Mariners – Seattle is like Toronto in the sense that they have a great core of young players. This group can win a World Series in the coming seasons.
Texas Rangers – The Texas Rangers now have Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, which will make them contenders in a wide-open AL West. Once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs – Wilson Contreras is the one familiar face remaining in Chicago. He will be critical, along with Nick Madrigal, who came to the Cubs at the deadline last year.
Cincinnati Reds – With Nick Castellanos opting out of his contract, look for Jesse Winker to become the featured player for the Reds. He hit .305 last year with a .949 OPS.
Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers have the pitching staff to win, but I expect Christian Yelich to be a lot better this season. This will be critical for the Brewers if they want to win a World Series title.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Ke’Bryan Hayes and Cole Tucker are very fun to watch. If only fun equated to winning championships.
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals made a run last year, and if they started getting hot earlier, they might have been more successful. Nolan Arenado must limit his dips and produce.
NL East
Atlanta Braves – If the Braves resign Freddie Freeman, I think they are back in the mix. It’s hard to win two championships in a row, but Atlanta has a strong team.
Miami Marlins – Derek Jeter is determined to get this team on top of the baseball world. Jeter’s presence in the front office is critical for winning.
New York Mets – Max Scherzer and Buck Showalter will make Queens a legitimate winning culture.
Philadelphia Phillies – Bryce Harper needs to have another MVP caliber season, and if he does, do not count out the Phillies.
Washington Nationals – Juan Soto could win a World Series by himself. He is going to be better than Mike Trout.
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks – If Zac Gallen does not get hurt swinging a bat, he will help the team’s pitching staff. Although, I do not think it helps them beat the Dodgers, Giants, or Padres.
Colorado Rockies – The Rockies may add a few clutch homers at home from playing at altitude.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Cody Bellinger is bound to have a better year. Playoff Cody came alive in October, but they need his production much earlier to win another ring.
San Diego Padres – If Fernando Tatis Jr. stays healthy in 2022, it’s going to be very helpful for Manny Machado and the remainder of the roster.
San Francisco Giants – The Giants proved they could hang last season. This did not change.
