Opening Day is three days away, as the Braves take on the Nationals away from home to kick off their 2023 campaign. Atlanta is aiming to capture their sixth straight NL East title in a row, but the real prize is their second World Series in three seasons. They have as good of a shot as anybody with the way their roster is constructed, and Ben Verlander of Fox Sports recognized that in his Opening Day MLB Power Rankings.
https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1640338379668848641
This is very close to where I would have each team ranked. The Braves might be the best team in baseball, but that title lies with the Astros until someone takes it from them. The reigning World Series champions have been the class of Major League Baseball for nearly a decade. Nobody should have anyone else in the top spot to begin the season.
The Braves at #2 is more than fair, and I agree with who Verlander has at #3 and #4 as well. I’m not sure there is a team with more star power than the Padres right now. Their lineup is a handful, and their pitching staff isn’t far behind. San Diego is in a great position to capture their first World Series in franchise history.
The Dodgers at #5 might be higher than some after a quiet offseason, but I might actually have them ranked a bit better. I keep reminding people not to sleep on them. They are a lock to win 100+ games every season for a reason. They are loaded with star power at the top like few other teams, but they also continually produce high quality talent from their farm system as well as any other organization. Even with the Padres in their division, the Dodgers remain my pick to win the NL West.
The Blue Jays at #6 and Yankees at #7 is right where I would have them. The Yankees are consistently overrated, and I’m not in love with their roster construct. I like what Toronto is doing. This could be the year they take control of the AL East and don’t look back.
A lot of different teams could round out the top 10, but I like these three. Injuries to Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins are huge blows to the Phillies, but we are still taking about the reigning National League champions. I love what the Mariners are doing out west, and the Cardinals are one of those organizations that are always around come October. They deserve a spot in the top 10.
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What do you think about Ben Verlander’s Opening Day MLB Power Rankings? Who is too high, and who is too low?
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Photo: Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire
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