Who’s The Dark Horse To Win The World Series?
As the MLB regular season comes to a close, teams are looking to go for it all and try to get to and win the World Series. While other teams lick their wounds, look forward to the next season and regroup with new signings, there are still some teams this year that people are not talking enough about to win the World Series.
LA is backing the Dodgers 100 percent while over in New York City both Yankees and Mets fans are hoping for another Subway Series World Series like the one in the 2000. Aaron Judge is looking like he is going to break the American League Home Run record, as well. With this piece, however, the focus is going to be on the teams that people are not talking as much about that have a better shot than you might expect to see in the Fall Classic. New York, Los Angeles, and Houston teams don’t necessarily need this type of spotlight.
National League: St. Louis Cardinals
via The Athletic
Being one of the historically greatest teams in baseball and winning the second most World Series of any team only being trumped by the Yankees always puts you in contention. One can never truly count out The Cards from being a possible World Series champion. The problem is that in the 2022 season, the Mets, Braves and Dodgers have all been stealing the show for the National League. Never overlook the Cardinals, though, because this team is full of talent. From generational talents like Jose Molina, Nolan Arenado, and Paul Goldschmidt being absolutely rock solid in the infield both in the field and at the plate. Goldschmidt is batting a league leading .321 average this season and Arenado isn’t doing too bad himself with a .296 average as well.
Also throw in the fact that their pitching rotation is nothing short of great with proven veteran Adam Wainwright. In addition, the beautiful midseason trade for Jordan Montgomery from the Yankees has also been brilliant with the Cardinals since he joined. Also it’s future hall of famer Albert Pujols’ last season in the MLB and you can’t help but wonder if St. Louis has extra fire in their belly to try and win it all this year. One thing is for certain, no teams would want to face them in the postseason with such firepower.
American League: Toronto Blue Jays
via CBS Sports
This one is more of a stretch than St. Louis. However, you can’t help but agree even if Toronto doesn’t win the World Series this year, that this is a group of young talented players who are ready to become a new powerhouse in the MLB for years to come. Names like Bo Bichiette, Alejandro Kirk, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are ushering the next generation of baseball players who are ready to carry the torch for names like Pujols, Verlander, Molina, Sale, and Rizzo. Also throw in the fact that even when the Yankees have had a commanding lead of the AL East, the Blue Jays have been right there with the Rays for having the favored wild card spots.
It’s very impressive because during the beginning of the season most were predicting the Blue Jays would just miss out on the playoffs. Now with the season winding down, it looks like if they don’t lose their pass they might just make it into the postseason. The team is young, but with vets like Chapman and Springer this could be an advantage to help get the team through the World Series. Especially considering Springer is a champion from his days with the Astros. One thing is for certain, though, you can never count out some teams, no matter the record they hold.