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It's the 22nd week of the MLB season, and the contenders have absolutely begun to separate themselves from the pretenders. Most of the top 10 teams will legitimately compete for a World Series title this year.
Here's who those teams currently are:
MLB Power Rankings
10) Houston Astros (69-58)
The Houston Astros aren't the dominant team they have been in the past, but they're surely looking like a legitimate threat to the AL. After such a horrible start, it's impressive that they're here now.
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9) Arizona Diamondbacks (72-56)
The Arizona Diamondbacks similarly shook off a bad start and are challenging for the NL West. They look like a better team currently than the one that went to the World Series last year.
8) Kansas City Royals (71-56)
The Kansas City Royals are very much in the playoff picture. It's almost exclusively due to Bobby Witt Jr.'s unrelenting brilliance, but they remain a scary postseason matchup for anyone right now.
7) San Diego Padres (72-57)
The San Diego Padres got off to a slower start, but they look fantastic now. It's hard to imagine anyone winning the NL West aside from LA, but San Diego can give them a scare.
6) Milwaukee Brewers (73-54)
The Milwaukee Brewers' surprise season shouldn't be a surprise any longer. They're easily the best team in their division and can challenge the Phillies and Dodgers for NL Pennant.
5) Cleveland Guardians (73-54)
The Cleveland Guardians just took a tough series loss against the New York Yankees, but they are still one of baseball's best teams. The bullpen was outstanding even in a losing effort, which will be a huge boost in the postseason.
4) Philadelphia Phillies (74-53)
The Philadelphia Phillies weathered the storm and once again look like they're not relinquishing their NL East lead. The bullpen is shaky, but they have enough time to safely figure things out.
3) Baltimore Orioles (74-55)
The Baltimore Orioles have hit a little rough patch and their rotation continues to get hit by injuries. Nevertheless, they're only a game and a half out of first place in the AL East right now.
2) New York Yankees (75-53)
The New York Yankees were a series of shocking RISP failures away from a complete sweep of the Guardians, but they look really good right now. The pitching took a blow with Luis Gil headed to the IL, but Clarke Schmidt should be on his way back soon.
1) Los Angeles Dodgers (76-52)
As was expected back in the winter, the LA Dodgers are baseball's best team. They're not dominant and they have a lot of pitching concerns and health issues, but they're here nonetheless.
