Quick breakdown of MLB’s top 5 teams

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Mark J. Terrill | Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during intrasquad play in the restart of baseball spring training Monday, July 6, 2020, in Los Angeles.

By Kyle Mathas

Major League Baseball has officially announced a plan to lace up the cleats and start play again. 

Many players have reported to training camps since July 1, when the camps were opened, according to the MLB. The season will begin with some training camp games starting on July 18, and the season will begin on July 23. The New York Yankees will play the Washington Nationals, and the San Francisco Giants will play the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day, which will both be aired on ESPN. 

Some rules for the teams during the season will limit rosters to 26 men after 4 weeks of play in the season. The trade deadline will be on August 31. During extra inning games in the regular season, at the beginning of each half inning, the last player to bat (in the last inning) will start on second base. 

There will be a 10 day injured list for players, but the injured list for COVID-19 symptoms will have no maximum or minimum to it. 

With the season on the way to start again, it’s time for the top five teams in the power rankings.

At the fifth spot are the Tampa Bay Rays. They made the playoffs last year and were just one game away from beating the Astros and advancing to the ALCS. With their bullpen almost the same as last year, they have one of the best bullpens in the league. They look to have a great season this year. 

In the fourth spot are the Minnesota Twins. They had a great season last year but lost quickly to the New York Yankees in the ALDS. The Twins’ bullpen is great, and the roster is almost the same as last year, which could leave fans expecting many home runs this season. 

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli speaks to players in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, in Fort Myers, Fla. (Elise Amendola | Associated Press)

In the third spot are the Houston Astros. They return with one of the best hitting teams in the league and a great bullpen. They are also coming back mad at the fact that they lost a World Series they had thought they would breeze through. They will have a tough season, though, with the critics always watching them because of their World Series cheating scandal. 

In second are the Los Angeles Dodgers. After breaking records last season, they had a quick exit in the playoffs, which ruined an almost perfect season. With power-hitters like Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts, their hitting looks great. With Clayton Kershaw in the bullpen as well, the Dodgers look to have another record breaking season. 

The top team in the power rankings are the New York Yankees. They lost in game six of the ALCS last year in the playoffs and are looking to bounce back with a record breaking season. With hitters like Aaron Judge, DJ Lemahieu and Brett Gardner and pitchers like Aroldis Chapman and Gerrit Cole, this team looks to have a special season, which could very likely put them at the top of the American League. 

The MLB season is starting soon, and although it won’t be the same without the fans, it will still very likely be fun to watch and give us many historic moments.