Ranking the MLB playoff teams

Simply put, the Astros are the most complete team entering the playoffs. Their lineup ranked third in runs scored entering the final week of the regular season but is finally healthy with Georgia Springer and Carlos Correa, while likely AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez has added a major jolt. The bullpen is No. 4 in ERA and got setup man Ryan Pressly back from injury. The starting rotation added Zack Greinke to Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole at the trade deadline, creating the top three that can stack up with any team. The only major concern is No. 4 starter Wade Miley's late-season struggles, which could push him out of the playoff rotation.

No team in baseball is deeper than the Dodgers, who easily led the NL in run differential and seemed to overcome all injuries this season with ease. The lineup was the best in the NL and is hitting on all cylinders with an MVP-type season from Cody Bellinger, and the rotation remains elite with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Hyun-Jin Ryu leading the way. The biggest concern this season has been the team's bullpen, despite the seventh best bullpen ERA in MLB, as Kenley Jansen has been often unreliable at the end of games.

The Yankees weathered quite a storm of injuries during the regular season and are finally getting healthy for the playoffs with Luis Severino and Giancarlo Stanton returning in September. That adds to a loaded lineup that includes Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres. The bullpen was built for the playoffs after signing Adam Ottavino in the offseason and has an experienced playoff closer in Aroldis Chapman. There are some concerns in the rotation behind Severino, especially after Domingo German was put on administrative leave.

Minnesota has been one of MLB's biggest surprises, but there's nothing about the team's performance that indicates a fluke. The Twins have shown legitimate elite power with five 30 home run hitters, a deep bullpen and a starting rotation that has been reliable one through five. Unfortunately, Michael Pineda's suspension for PEDs, along with Jake Odorizzi's hamstring injury in the final week of the season could jeopardize the team's hopes of a long playoff run.

The Braves were a surprise team last year, and their elite young players proved they have staying power this season. Led by huge seasons from Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman, and Josh Donaldson, they have been among the NL leaders for most of the season. The starting rotation got a nice boost after the June signing of Dallas Keuchel, and rookie Mike Soroka is a Cy Young candidate. While the bullpen was an issue for much of the season, the front office addressed that by adding Mark Melancon, Shane Green and Chris Martin.

The playoffs have usually been a nightmare for the Nats, but the talent stacks up well because of their top three starting pitchers. Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin have been elite pitchers all season, and the bullpen has become more formidable after patchwork additions like Daniel Hudson and Fernando Rodney. The offense has also been elite despite losing Bryce Harper in the offseason, with Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto having outstanding seasons.

The Cardinals got hot late in the year, helping them win a competitive NL Central division. The name of the game for the team has been run prevention with elite defense up the middle, great late-season contributions from Jack Flaherty and Dakota Hudson and a bullpen that ranked third best in ERA. The offense also has some capable bats, led by Paul Goldschmidt and Marcell Ozuna.

The A's roster doesn't always look great on paper, but the team has now earned an AL wild-card spot in back-to-back years. Oakland has shown brilliant defense with top names like Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Marcus Semien and Ramon Laureano. That quartet has also picked up the slack at the plate, while DH Khris Davis has had an uncharacteristically so-so season. The starting rotation lacks many recognizable names but still ranked ninth in ERA and got Sean Manaea back from injury late in the season. The bullpen has also made due, led by Liam Hendriks.

The Rays are getting healthy at the right time, with the recent returns of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yonny Chirinos and Brandon Lowe. While those players have been on the shelf, unexpected players like Travis d'Arnaud and Ryan Yarbrough have been great replacements. Charlie Morton has been a top-flight starter and could put them in an advantageous position as a wild-card starter.

Despite losing star outfield Christian Yelich to a fractured kneecap in mid-September, Milwaukee only got better to close out the year. The Brewers' deadline additions of Jordan Lyles and Drew Pomeranz were surprisingly great, and Brandon Woodruff's return from injury gives the pitching staff some life. There's still plenty of power in the lineup with Mike Moustakas, Yasmani Grandal, Ryan Braun and Eric Thames. Getting to closer Josh Hader has been a tough task for much of the year, with manager Craig Counsell's quick hook giving the pen its fair share of work.