MLB Power Rankings Who’s Ready to Challenge for the World Series?

The 2018 MLB season has reached its final quarter, with the focus on who can challenge for the World Series. October baseball is just around the corner and with it comes an exciting postseason. The MLB Postseason is set to be a thrilling one once again as there are many teams challenging for a World Series title. Some teams have been here before, while others are looking for their first taste of the Fall Classic. There’s also plenty of team that aren’t happy with how this season finished up and will be looking to make some roster additions over the next few months in order to give themselves a better chance at bringing home the Commissioner’s trophy next October. The following article takes a look at all 30 Major League Baseball teams and ranks them according to their chances of making it to, and winning, the 2021 World Series.

MLB 2019: Which Teams Are Ready to Compete?

The Chicago Cubs proved in 2016 that a team can be World Series ready even if they haven’t been to the playoffs in a few years. The Cubs came out of nowhere that year and won their first World Series title since 1908. The “Cubbies” have been in the playoffs for each of the last three seasons since then, but haven’t advanced past the NLCS. They’re ready to be World Series contenders once again in 2019 and could be the favorites for the title if the pitching staff stays healthy. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been in the World Series each of the last two years, but have lost both times. They have been to the playoffs for six straight years and have won the NL West each of the last six seasons. With one of the best and deepest pitching staffs in the game, they’re ready to get back to the World Series once again. If the offense can produce just a little more than it did during the regular season, then the Dodgers could be the favorites to win it all in 2021.

Houston Astros

The reigning World Series champions have the best chance of any team to repeat as they have a very solid team in place. They have one of the best pitching staffs in the game, led by Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, and an offense that is capable of scoring a ton of runs. They have a good young core in place, including the newly acquired Eloy Jimenez and Altuve is still one of the best shortstops in the game. A healthy Astros team is the team to beat, and they have the best chance of any team to win it all next year.

New York Yankees

The Yankees aren’t ready to compete for the title yet as they still need to improve their starting rotation. The Yankees have one of the better offenses in the game and have been to the playoffs for each of the last three years. They have won the AL East each of the last two years and are ready to be playoff contenders once again in 2019.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox may not be ready to compete for a World Series title just yet, but they will be soon. The Red Sox have the talent to win it all, but they need to improve their pitching staff. They have one of the best offenses in the game, but they need better starting pitching to win in October. The Red Sox have been to the playoffs the last two years, but they weren’t able to advance past the ALDS both times.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals have been one of the best teams in the National League for the last few years, but haven’t been able to get over the hump and win a World Series title. The team has a solid core in place and have been to the playoffs the last few years. They have one of the best lineups in the game, but have struggled in the pitching staff. They have a good chance at bringing a World Series title back to the nation’s capital as they have the talent to win it all.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants have won three World Series titles in the last 10 years and have been to the playoffs for the last eight years in a row. They have a solid team in place and have one of the best managers in the game in Bruce Bochy. The Giants have the talent to win it all once again, but they need to improve their starting pitching staff if they want to get back to the World Series.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are a team that has been in the playoffs for nine straight seasons, but have only advanced past the NLDS once since 2011. They have the talent to win it all, but they need to improve their starting rotation. The Cardinals have been led by some great managers in recent years, and Mike Matheny has brought them to the playoffs in each of his last four seasons. The Cardinals have the talent to win it all, but they need to improve their starting pitching if they want to get there.

Conclusion

The Chicago Cubs have the best chance of any team to win the 2021 World Series title due to their strong pitching staff and good lineup. The Astros and Yankees both have the potential to win it all, but the Cubs are just a little bit better and have a better chance of bringing home the Commissioner’s trophy next October.