2022 MLB Playoff Picture: Predicting All 12 Playoff Teams With Three Weeks to Go

2022 MLB Playoff Picture: Predicting All 12 Playoff Teams With Three Weeks to Go

Although there are three weeks to go in the MLB regular season, many divisions are still up for grabs. At this point, we know most of the playoff teams. We just don't know where they'll be seeded in the Playoffs. Below I'll share my projected 12 playoff teams and their potential seeding for this year's MLB Playoffs.

National League Playoff Picture

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

With just three weeks remaining, the Dodgers are closing in on winning the NL West divisional. It's likely going to happen this week, especially if the Dodgers dominate the Padres over the weekend. With 94 wins, the Dodgers are the clear-cut favorite in the National League and will be a one seed.

2. New York Mets

The New York Mets have choked away a massive lead in the NL East. But maybe I wouldn't say choke. The Mets played outstanding baseball all year. It's just that the Braves have done better and have been nearly impossible to beat in the second half of the season. The Mets still have a lighter schedule than the Braves to finish these next three weeks. So I've got the Mets holding on now in the NL East. This is going to be one exciting race.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis leads the NL Central by eight games over the Milwaukee Brewers and will ultimately end up winning the division. The Cardinals turned it on in the second half while the Brewers lost games they should've won.

4. Atlanta Braves

The Braves could end up with 100 wins and still be a Wild Card team. No matter what happens in the next three weeks between the Mets and Braves, I know that we'll see the Braves in the postseason.

5. Philadelphia Phillies

I still think the Phillies will have a better record than the Padres when the regular season concludes. Philadelphia will get Zack Wheeler back soon and should have a solid pitching staff. Plus, with Bryce Harper getting comfortable, Philadelphia should ultimately earn a Wild Card spot.

6. San Diego Padres

The Padres haven't been getting much production out of Juan Soto if we're being honest. Brandon Drury is out with a concussion, and now the Padres will have to fight off the Phillies and Brewers for two spots in the NL Wild Card. I think the Padres find a way, but this team has underachieved for the second straight season.

American League Playoff Picture

1. Houston Astros

The Houston Astros lead the AL West by 11 games over the Seattle Mariners. They're currently the only team with at least 80 wins in the American League and they're just two games away from approaching 90 wins. The Astros are the best team in the American League and will be the one seed.

2. New York Yankees

The Yankees have a 4.5-game lead in the AL East with three weeks left in the regular season. Over the weekend, the Yankees will take on the Tampa Bay Rays, who are in second place in the division. If the Yankees lose this series, things can get ugly real quick for the Yankees. Injuries have played a significant role for the Yankees. But I'm still going to believe they can hold on in the AL East with a 4.5-game lead.

3. Cleveland Guardians

The AL Central is wild. The Cleveland Guardians only lead the division by 1.5 games over the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox. It's a three-team race with Chicago suddenly getting hot over the last two weeks. Over the weekend, the Guardians are taking on the Twins. I've got Cleveland winning the series, so they'll stay in first place for the time being.

4. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays look to be a safe Wild Card option. Of course, Tampa Bay can earn the division if they have a good series against the Yankees. But for now, the Rays are in the Wild Card and have a six-game lead against the Orioles, who are on the outside looking in. The Rays expect to get back Wander Franco and Tyler Glasnow before the regular season ends. That could only help.

5. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners have been average over the last couple of weeks. But they're in a pretty poor division in the AL West. They'll take advantage of that and earn a Wild Card spot in the American League. The Mariners went all out for Luis Castillo and have a ton of young prospects that could lead this team into the playoffs.

6. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto is trying to choke themselves out of a Wild Card spot. They've gone 3-7 in their last ten games, while the Baltimore Orioles have gone 5-5. Still, the Blue Jays have a 4.5-game lead over the Orioles and should escape disaster. They'll get that final Wild Card spot in the American League.

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