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<\/a> 5. Cleveland Guardians<\/p>\nThe AL Central-leading Guardians (8-6) check in at No. 5 on Willis’ list. They’ve only won three of their past six games, but Willis is convinced that there’s no cause for concern, as they’re riding the Chase DeLauter wave.<\/p>\n
“They’re still able to win ballgames even though Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez has not checked in,” Willis added. “You know, it starts and ends on the mound for me. Mr. [Gavin] Williams, he’s gonna continue to have a monster year.”<\/p>\n
Last week, Cleveland rattled off back-to-back wins against Kansas City. On Wednesday, Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez went 4-for-5, including hitting a four-bagger to clear the bases with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the eighth. It was a huge early divisional win in an AL Central race that is likely going to be tight this year.<\/p>\n
4. Atlanta Braves<\/p>\n
The Braves (9-5) began the year without an off day through their first 13 games and a rotation missing Spencer Strider (oblique strain), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow surgery), Hurston Waldrep (elbow surgery) and Joey Wentz (torn ACL). That said, they’ve emerged from this starting stretch in first place in the NL East, with the lowest ERA in MLB (2.03) and tied for the best run differential in MLB (+34). What’s more, they’ve managed to do this all without relying entirely on the arm of Chris Sale. Atlanta is in the midst of a three-game win streak, defeating its opponents by an average of five-plus runs over that span. That’s more than enough to land them at No. 4 on Willis’ list.<\/p>\n
“They are finally healthy, as far as the core group of the guys that play every day [goes],” Willis said. “[Second baseman] Ozzie [Albies] is finally healthy. [Catcher] Drake Baldwin is a monster. His bat-to-ball skills and his game calling and throwing behind the plate [skills are] one of the best in all of baseball.”<\/p>\n
3. Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n
Even without Freddy Peralta and Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee is 8-5 and sits atop the NL Central. Despite the Brewers dropping their past three games, Willis isn’t ready to push the panic button. Instead, they land at No. 3 on his list.<\/p>\n
“[Coach] Pat Murphy has these guys at the top of the [NL] Central playing his style of baseball,” Willis said. “[Left fielder] Christian Yelich looks like MVP Yelich. He looks \u2014 finally \u2014 healthy. [Center fielder Garrett] Mitchell in that lineup [is] providing some pop.”<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Milwaukee finalized an eight-year contract with prospect Cooper Pratt<\/a>, adding the prized 21-year-old shortstop prospect to the 40-man roster and optioning him to Triple-A Nashville. The deal with Pratt includes club options that could keep him with the Brewers through the 2035 season. Pratt is among the top prospects in a Brewers farm system that ranks among the best in MLB. He was rated by MLB Pipeline as the No. 60 overall prospect.<\/p>\n 2. New York Yankees<\/p>\n Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt started the season on the injured list, but it doesn\u2019t seem to be a huge factor. Boosted by 25-year-old Cam Schlittler \u2014 who has 22 strikeouts, no walks and a 1.62 ERA through three starts \u2014 a Yankees\u2019 rotation that has looked like the best in baseball in the early going. What’s more, 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is ready to join when they need a fifth starter. Still, the AL East-leading Yankees (8-5) have dropped three in a row and are aiming to get back on track this weekend.<\/p>\n “My New York Yankees, who I’ve been backing for the last couple [of] weeks, have been struggling at the plate,” Willis said. “I know it, but Aaron Judge is starting to heat up.”<\/p>\n