Top 10 Baseball Teams

Baseball is considered as a part of American tradition and every kid grows up dreaming about becoming a professional Baseball player at some point in his school or college days. Although the game is mostly played in the United States of America, there is a feeling that the game is gaining popularity among fans around the world. Here are the top 10 teams in the Major League Baseball currently.

 

1. Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox

Founded in 1901 as a part of American League’s eight charter franchises, the Red Sox are probably the 2nd most known Baseball team behind the New York Yankees. They play the world famous Fenway ball park. The Red Sox have won the World Series 6 times (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007.) The 86 years period between the 1918 series win and the 2004 series win was called as the Curse of Bambino. Their rivalry with the Yankees is one of the most famous, fiercest rivalries in the professional sports’ history. Currently, the Red Sox have a (87-58) record and are expected to much better than their post 2007 series win form.

 

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers were formed in 1958 and play in the Dodger stadium which is the 3rd oldest ballpark after Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. LA Dodgers have won 6 World Series titles (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988) and their last West Division title was in 2009. The franchise in rich in history and their rivalry with the San Francisco Giants is one of the greatest rivalries in the history of American Baseball. Besides this they also have rivalry with the super star team from New York that is the Yankees. The Dodgers fan base has always been loyal to them and in 1978 the Dodgers has over 3 million people coming in to see the games. With a record of (83-59) the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best team in the MLB currently.

 

3. St. Louis Cardinals

St Louis Cardinals

Playing in Missouri, the Cardinals compete in the Central Division. Established in 1892, the Cardinals play at the Busch stadium from 2006. Cardinals have won 11 World Series titles (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011) Cardinals ranked 1st last season in the home attendance and that tells you how dedicated their fan base is. Chicago Cubs and the Kansas City Royals are the main rivals and games against these are always in the news for various reasons. The Cardinals have some really good young pitchers in Michael Wacha and Joe Kelley which are pushing them to the division crown which they can seal if they continue playing as well as they have. The Cardinals have a record of (86-61) and with Adam Wainwright with them, they can challenge for the ultimate prize.

 

4. Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are a team from the Eastern Division of the MLB. Their name the “Braves” comes from the Native American warrior nicknamed “the Bravos”. Braves play at th Turner Field which they Atlanta Braves have only win the World Series 3 times till date (1914, 1957, 1995) but have won the East Division titles for 11 consecutive years starting from 1995. Braves have always had a rivalry with the Ney York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies and the games against these two teams are the ones their fans look out for when the MLB schedule is out. The Atlanta Braves had a record of (85-57) and are considered as strong candidates to win this season.

 

5. Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers

Just like the Red Sox, Detroit Tigers were founded in 1901 as a part of American League’s one city franchise. Tigers currently play their home games at Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit but they have played at the Tiger stadium and Bennett Park before. Tigers have won the World Series 4 times (1935, 1945, 1968, 1984.) Although the team is not expected to challenge for the world championships, it is an improving team and people expect good things from them in near future. Tigers have a (82-61) record at the moment and want to bounce back from the streak of 4 under-par starts as a consolation prize.

 

6. Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics

The Californian team was established in 1901 and play in the West Division league in the Major League Baseball. Since 1968, the Athletics have played in the Oakland Coliseum ball park. Having won 9 World Series titles (1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989) they’re also the reigning West Division champions. Oakland Athletics have a record of (87-61) which is great compared to how they started the season and with the series win vs. Texas Rangers and win vs. the Astros they have a good 1.5 game lead over Rangers in the West Division.

 

7. Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

The team plays in Ohio and was established in the year 1881 as a part of the Central Division in the MLB. They play at the Great American Ball Park since 2003. It is believed that the Reds were baseball’s first openly professional team even in the year 1869. Cincinnati Reds have won the World Series 5 times (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990) and recently won the National Central league in the years 2010 and 2012. Reds are playing well as they defeated the Dodgers twice and are in a good position to seal the NL Central division title. Reds have an impressive record of (85-65) and every fan hopes that replicate the glory days and win everything their hearts desire.

 

8. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates

Founded in 1887, the Pirates played in the East Division but, currently, the Pittsburgh Pirates play in the Central Division in the Major League Baseball and have won the World Series 5 times (1909,1925,1960,1971,1979) The Pirates play at the PNC ballpark but they have formerly played on the Three Rivers Stadium, Forbes field before moving to PNC. Pirates have a great rivaly with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds. With an impressive record of (85-61) the Pirates could turn out to be a major team coming to the business end of the Baseball season. Only time can tell if they can win the league though.

 

9. Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers

Based in Arlington, Texas currently and founded in 1961, the Rangers play in the Western Division of Major League Baseball. There is a story behind how the team got the name. The team’s name is borrowed from the famous law enforcement agency of the same name. Rangers have only managed to make 6 appearances in the MLB post season and have not won a World Series championship as of 2013. But they have won 5 division title (1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011) and got a wild card ticket in the 2012 season. After going through a lot of financial turmoil and ownership issues, the Rangers finally look like a team that’s only going to go upwards in the league and might as well do well in the post season for the 1st time in a long time. The Rangers have a record of (85-62) and are considered as a dark horse in the MLB.

 

10. Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays

Rays are one of the newer teams in the MLB that play in the East Division. Ever since the founding year of 1998 they have been playing at the Tropicana Field. Earlier they were knows as the Devil Rays but now they’re simple known as the ‘Rays’ Since the turn of 2005, the Rays have been improving and this resulted in them winning the East Division titles in 2008 and 2010 as well as claiming the wild card spot in 2011. Although widespread support has been slow to build with the lack of success in its first ten seasons, it has taken some cues from the powerhouses of the American League East Tampa Bay Rays have a record of (81-66) which isn’t great but they still have time to improve it. Rays have an outside chance of making the Wild Card spot as they’re currently sitting in the spot but the recent form is worrying and if they want that birth in the post season, they will have to buck up and improve the performances.

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