Top rotations and lineups entering the MLB playoffs

With just under a month of the MLB season left, playoffs are right around the corner. You may be asking yourself which teams are built for a deep playoff run this year. I am going to be highlighting two rotations and two lineups that are built for a deep run.

First rotation: Kansas City Royals

In the MLB playoffs having a shutdown rotation is the most important aspect a team can have.

The Kansas City Royals have their four-player rotation on lock with all four of their pitchers having a sub-3.5 ERA (Earned run average). The four pitchers are Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Brady Singer and Michael Wacha.

This pitching rotation mixed with Bobby Witt Jr. who is second in the second MVP race can elevate the Royals for a deep run.

First lineup: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers in the offseason made a record-breaking signing by going out and getting one of the most talented players this league has ever seen. This player is none other than, the two-way star, Shohei Ohtani. He went out and signed a record-breaking contract worth $700 million back in December.

Even though Ohtani can’t pitch til next year his offensive stats are on another level this year. Closing in on the first-ever 50/50 season in league history; Ohtani, as of Sept. 11, has 46 homers, 47 stolen bases, and just under a .300 average and there are two former MVPs batting behind him.

The two other people I am talking about are Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. When fully healthy this lineup is one of the, if not, the best lineups in all of baseball and is clearly more than ready to make a deep run this postseason.

Second rotation: Philadelphia Phillies

I highlighted the Kansas City Royals earlier in this article with their rotation, but I think the Phillies have a better rotation than them and probably the best rotation in baseball.

They are led by Zack Wheeler who leads the team with a 2.59 ERA. The next three pitchers that complete this rotation are Aaron Nola, Christopher Sanchez, and Ranger Suárez who all have a sub-3.5 ERA.

The Phillies are also in a great spot when it comes to having a lineup to complement the pitcher led by former 2-time MVP Bryce Harper and unique leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber.

With the phenomenal pitching and a somewhat potent lineup, the Phillies may be in the best position entering the postseason.

Second lineup: New York Yankees

The New York Yankees over the last decade and a half have seen no success since their memorable 2009 season, but this year they have a really dangerous lineup that is ready to show it on the game’s biggest stage.

The two players that make this lineup tough to pitch two are former MVP Aaron Judge and first-year Yankee Juan Soto.

These two players are the only two teammates to each have over 30 homers and 100 walks this season, with Judge having an astonishing league-leading 51 homers and 126 runs.

With former MVP Giancarlo Stanton batting behind them, this lineup is even deeper and more dangerous for this upcoming postseason.

A lot can change from now until the end of the season but if the standings stay the same from now to the end of the season these are the teams that I think are ready to make a deep run and ultimately a World Series title.

Peyton Waddell is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email prw5142@psu.edu.