Dodgers Back on Top of MLB Playoffs Power Rankings
The latest MLB power rankings for the Championship Round of the postseason were released today, and we already like what we see. Just as they have been all year long, the Dodgers sit on top of the power rankings for the postseason.
And why not? The Dodgers made quick work of the Milwaukee Brewers, as expected, during the Wild Card Series. They also swept San Diego in three games for the NLDS, despite the Padres being one of the better teams coming into the playoffs. More from ESPN David Schoenfield on Los Angeles:
Look, we know how good the Dodgers are after they went 43-17 in the regular season and now 5-0 in the playoffs. Yes, they caught a couple of breaks so far, as the Brewers were without two of their top four pitchers and the Padres were able to get only one inning from their top two starters. The obvious concern is Kenley Jansen. His velocity is down and he nearly blew a 6-3 lead in Game 2 against the Padres and was pulled after allowing two runs, with Joe Kelly finally getting the save. Dave Roberts knows he has to figure this out.
The Dodgers have obviously had a run of luck in the teams that they have faced. The Brewers were without their best starting pitcher and their best reliever, while the Padres didn’t have either of their top starters. Regardless, the depth of this team has gotten them this far and is the reason that they are successful as they have been.
The Atlanta Braves come into the power rankings for the playoffs ranked third. The Dodgers will face them in the Championship Series starting Monday night in Arlington, Texas.
Dodgers vs Braves NLCS Round Table: Series Keys, Postseason Thoughts, Jansen and More
Nad said on local radio that he thinks Dustin May should be the closer instead of Graterol. I agree. Big leaguers WILL catch up to a hard fastball the more they see it. Of course the only problem with that is we need May on the mound for starts. Let’s see how Buehler’s blister issue goes as the playoffs proceed and how Gonsolin does, then decide if they can spare May for closing.