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Power Ranking the Astros Likeliest World Series Opponents in 2023
Taking a look at the most likely World Series opponents for the Astros
After the conclusion of the Super Bowl last night, it is officially time to move on to baseball season. Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training this week, kicking off the Astros road to a repeat.
The Astros remain the favorites to come out of the American League, but multiple National League teams have made big upgrades to their roster in an attempt to catch Houston. Let's take a look at the most likely Fall Classic Opponents for Houston.
#4 Philadelphia Phillies
Might we see a rematch of the 2022 Fall Classic? The Philadelphia Phillies won only 87 games in 2022, finishing third in the NL East. They rode a red-hot lineup, the combo of Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, and a raucous home crowd through the wild card round, NLDS and NLCS to an underdog World Series showing.
While they overachieved in October, the Phillies still had holes in their lineup to address this offseason. They did just that, signing Trea Turner, Craig Kimbrel, Gregory Soto and Taijuan Walker.
The bullpen has been shored up and the lineup still has massive home run pop. If Bryce Harper comes back from Tommy John healthy, a World Series rematch is definitely on the table.
#3 San Diego Padres
The Padres finished runners-up in the NL West in 2022. Their 89-73 record underperformed on paper, but their roster is as deep as any team in the game. The Padres landed Josh Bell and Juan Soto at the trade deadline, though they were missing Fernando Tatis Jr. due to suspension.
Bell left in free agency, but the Padres added Xander Bogaerts, Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter in free agency, and will get Tatis Jr. back in the lineup after the conclusion of his suspension.
If San Diego had a deeper rotation, they may finish higher on the list, but they have some question marks after Darvish, Musgrove and Snell.
They'll score runs in bunches. Can the Padres keep enough off the board in order to make a late October run?
#2 New York Mets
Mets' owner Steve Cohen is desperate to bring a title to the Mets, no matter the cost. The Mets spent $491.1 million in free agency this offseason, even after their deal with Carlos Correa fell through.
They extended Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz, before opening the check book on reigning Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga, José Quintana, Omar Narvaez, Adam Ottovino, Tommy Pham, and David Robertson. They also traded for Brooks Raley and top prospect Francisco Alvarez should debut.
The Mets lineup is loaded. They have a limitless supply of arms. It's World Series-or-bust for the Mets in 2023. Can Verlander and Scherzer remain healthy in order to carry the Mets on a deep run? Both struggled in the 2022 postseason. If New York is to make the Fall Classic, both veterans will have to bounce back in the 2023 postseason.
#1 Atlanta Braves
The most likely World Series showdown in 2023 is a rematch of the 2021 World Series. The Astros and Braves played in the World Series two years ago, but both are far better than they were then.
Atlanta called up Michael Harris III and Spencer Strider last season, the top two finishers for NL Rookie of the Year. They traded for Sean Murphy to play catcher and still can deploy Travis d'Arnaud at the DH.
The rotation is solid as always, with multiple All-Star/Cy Young candidates in Fried and Strider. The Braves bullpen was already great, before adding Joe Jiménez, Lucas Luetge and Dennis Santana.
Houston has shown how much playoff experience pays off in October. Brian Snitker brings playoff moxie to the Braves' dugout. If the Braves sustain injury, their talent depth and playoff experience should carry them to a second World Series trip in three years.