Lead Story - 11/8/2026

Season 22 Preview

Twelve teams spanning 120 years of baseball history are set to battle for the Decade Duel Season 22 championship. The field features some of the most formidable offenses ever assembled, pitching rotations capable of shutting down any lineup, and fascinating clashes between baseball's greatest generations.

The central question entering Season 22: Can anyone stop the 2025 Dodgers' extraordinary pitching staff, or will the offensive firepower of the 1958 Yankees, 1939 Tigers, and 1962 Giants prove too much?

The answer may depend on whether pitching depth or offensive dominance ultimately wins out.
The Championship Favorites

1. 2025 Dodgers
Preseason favorite

Strength: Overwhelming starting pitching

Sandy Koufax (100), Tyler Glasnow (98), Clayton Kershaw (95), Blake Snell (94), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (86) form easily the deepest rotation in the tournament. Every starter has a ranking of at least 86, and four are 94 or higher.

The offense is less imposing but features Shohei Ohtani (.310/.393/.646), Freddie Freeman (.331/.412/.567), and Mookie Betts (.318/.375/.534).


Outlook: The Dodgers can win games without scoring many runs. Their primary concern is the bottom half of the batting order, where several hitters have OBPs below .350. Nevertheless, no other team can match their five-man rotation.


2. 1958 Yankees
Strength: Historic middle-of-the-order power

Babe Ruth (.393/.545/.764) and Mickey Mantle (.353/.467/.705) give New York arguably the most dangerous one-two combination in Season 22. Enos Slaughter (.336/.418/.511), Yogi Berra (.322/.383/.533), and Bill Skowron (.340/.396/.577) provide additional firepower.

The weakness is pitching. Bob Turley (2.71 ERA) leads a rotation with no starter ranked above 67.


Outlook: The Yankees could lead the league in scoring, but their rotation may struggle against elite offenses. They are capable of beating anyone, provided they can consistently outslug opponents.


3. 1939 Tigers
Strength: The most complete offensive lineup

Earl Averill (.378/.438/.627), Hank Greenberg (.315/.438/.683), Charlie Gehringer (.356/.450/.517), and Roy Cullenbine (.335/.477/.537) anchor a lineup with remarkable depth.

Every starter has an OBP of at least .367, and seven of nine have an OBP above .390. Justin Verlander (90) headlines the rotation, supported by Hal Newhouser (72) and Schoolboy Rowe (68).


Outlook: Detroit may have the most balanced offense in the field. Its ability to avoid easy outs makes it especially dangerous against teams relying on one or two elite pitchers.


4. 1962 Giants
Strength: Power throughout the lineup

Rogers Hornsby (.361/.448/.586), Willie Mays (.345/.415/.667), and Willie McCovey (.320/.458/.656) headline an offense with exceptional power and on-base ability.

Juan Marichal (87, 2.23 ERA) leads a solid rotation featuring Gaylord Perry (78), Bobby Bolin (77), and Billy Pierce (60).


Outlook: San Francisco has the offensive firepower to challenge the Yankees and Tigers, with a stronger pitching staff than either. The Giants have one of the best combinations of hitting and pitching in the tournament.

The Serious Contenders

5. 1925 Senators
Strength: Walter Johnson and lineup depth

Walter Johnson (96, 1.14 ERA, 0.78 WHIP) is a legitimate ace capable of dominating any opponent. Goose Goslin (.379/.442/.614), Buddy Myer (.336/.454/.465), and Joe Harris (.313/.424/.564) anchor an excellent offense.

The remaining rotation is respectable, although George Mogridge (38) is a significant fifth-starter weakness.


Outlook: Washington is a serious championship threat. Johnson provides a huge advantage in games he starts, and the offense has enough depth to compete with almost anyone.


6. 1919 White Sox
Strength: On-base dominance and strong pitching

Shoeless Joe Jackson (.408/.468/.590), Frank Thomas (.353/.494/.729), and Eddie Collins (.332/.460/.436) form a tremendous offensive nucleus.

Eddie Cicotte (85, 1.53 ERA), Joe Benz (71), and Pat Ragan (65) lead a rotation with solid depth.

Chicago has three hitters with OBPs of at least .460, making the top of its lineup especially difficult to navigate.


Outlook: The White Sox have one of the most balanced rosters in Season 22. Their combination of patient hitting and reliable pitching makes them a dangerous contender.

7. 2000 Mariners
Strength: An outstanding offensive core

Edgar Martinez (.356/.482/.628), John Olerud (.363/.478/.599), Alex Rodriguez (.358/.419/.631), and Rickey Henderson (.325/.441/.577) give Seattle four tremendous offensive weapons.

Felix Hernandez (88, 2.14 ERA) is the ace, but the rotation drops sharply after him, with Jamie Moyer (53), Freddy Garcia (49), Joel Pineiro (34), and Aaron Sele (27).


Outlook: Seattle's lineup can compete with the best in the tournament, but its pitching depth is a major concern. The Mariners will need to win plenty of high-scoring games.

8. 1905 Cubs
Strength: Elite pitching depth

Jake Arrieta (97, 1.77 ERA), Mordecai Brown (88, 1.47 ERA), Ed Reulbach (81, 1.65 ERA), Carl Lundgren (74, 1.17 ERA), and Jake Weimer (69, 1.91 ERA) form an extraordinary rotation.

The offense is led by Johnny Evers (.341/.431/.441), Frank Chance (.327/.439/.440), and Frank Schulte (.300/.384/.534).


Outlook: Chicago is the Dodgers' strongest rival in starting pitching. The question is whether the Cubs can generate enough offense against the league's elite rotations. They could be one of the season's biggest surprises.

The Dangerous Underdogs

9. 1972 Red Sox
Strength: Ted Williams and Luis Tiant

Ted Williams (.406/.553/.735) rivals Ruth as the most formidable individual hitter in the field. Reggie Smith (.307/.432/.576) and Carl Yastrzemski (.326/.421/.622) provide outstanding support.

Luis Tiant (99, 1.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) gives Boston a true ace. Sonny Siebert (83) and Bobby Bolin (80) make this a respectable rotation.


Outlook: Boston has the ingredients to finish much higher than ninth. Its combination of Williams, Yastrzemski, and Tiant makes the Red Sox a particularly dangerous opponent in a short series.

10. 2017 Astros
Strength: Balanced offense and a strong top three

Jose Altuve (.346/.412/.547), Alex Bregman (.296/.428/.592), Carlos Correa (.315/.394/.550), and Carlos Beltran (.275/.392/.594) lead a deep lineup.

Justin Verlander (100, 2.58 ERA), Mike Scott (93, 2.22 ERA), and Francisco Liriano (79, 2.16 ERA) give Houston a strong top three.


Outlook: Houston has no obvious fatal weakness. Its rotation is strong at the top, and the offense combines patience with power. The Astros could easily outperform this ranking.

11. 1983 Royals
Strength: George Brett and defense

George Brett (.390/.461/.664) is one of the most dangerous hitters in Season 22. Bobby Witt (.332/.394/.588), Amos Otis (.298/.387/.525), and Hal McRae (.308/.370/.542) provide additional production.

Vida Blue (89, 1.82 ERA) anchors the rotation, with Gaylord Perry (82) and Danny Jackson (63) providing support.


Outlook: Kansas City has a competitive roster, but its offense relies heavily on Brett and Witt. The Royals will need strong pitching and defensive performance to challenge the favorites.

12. 1993 Reds
Strength: Explosive offensive talent

Kevin Mitchell (.326/.438/.681), Barry Larkin (.298/.415/.567), and Reggie Sanders (.306/.401/.579) give Cincinnati considerable offensive potential.

Hunter Greene (91, 2.76 ERA) is a strong ace, but the remaining rotation of Jose Rijo (63), Tom Browning (56), Tim Belcher (58), and John Smiley (50) lacks the dominance of the leading contenders.


Outlook: The Reds have enough talent to pull off major upsets, but their relatively thin rotation and uneven lineup make a championship run difficult.

Season 22: By the Numbers
The five best pitching rotations

The Dodgers' advantage is remarkable, but the Astros actually edge the Cubs in average starter rating, 82.6 to 81.8. The Cubs counter with a much more consistently low-ERA rotation.
The most dangerous individual hitters

Player AVG OBP SLG OPS
Babe Ruth, NYY .393 .545 .764 1.309
Ted Williams, BOS .406 .553 .735 1.288
Frank Thomas, CWS .353 .494 .729 1.223
Mickey Mantle, NYY .353 .467 .705 1.172
George Brett, KC .390 .461 .664 1.125
Hank Greenberg, DET .315 .438 .683 1.121

Five storylines to watch
1. The Dodgers' pitching versus the Yankees' power. The strongest rotation in the tournament faces the most intimidating pair of sluggers. A potential postseason matchup between Koufax and Ruth would be must-watch baseball.

2. Can the Cubs win with pitching? The 1905 Cubs have five starters with ERAs below 2.00. If that pitching translates into consistent run prevention, Chicago could challenge for the championship despite its relatively modest offense.

3. Are the Tigers the most complete team? Detroit's lineup features outstanding on-base ability from top to bottom. Unlike teams dependent on a handful of stars, the Tigers can sustain rallies throughout the order.

4. Will Walter Johnson carry Washington? Johnson's 1.14 ERA and 0.78 WHIP are among the best figures in the entire field. If the Senators get enough from their remaining starters, they could be extremely difficult to beat.

5. Can Houston repeat its previous Decade Duel success? The 2017 Astros have the pitching and lineup depth to challenge the favorites. Verlander and Scott provide a formidable one-two combination, while Altuve and Bregman anchor a balanced offense.

Final preseason power rankings
Rank Team Biggest advantage Biggest concern
1 2025 Dodgers Unmatched rotation Bottom of lineup
2 1958 Yankees Ruth and Mantle Starting pitching
3 1939 Tigers Offensive depth Rotation depth
4 1962 Giants Power and balance Back of rotation
5 1925 Senators Walter Johnson Fifth starter
6 1919 White Sox Balanced roster Bottom of lineup
7 2000 Mariners Elite offensive core Pitching depth
8 1905 Cubs Deep rotation Limited power
9 1972 Red Sox Williams and Tiant Lineup depth
10 2017 Astros Strong top three Back of rotation
11 1983 Royals Brett and Witt Offensive depth
12 1993 Reds Top-end talent Pitching consistency

9/28/2026

Season 22 draft order

Decade draft/Franchise Draft
1/12 lordhawke 1993 Reds + Hunter Greene
2/11 jimgriddy 2017 Astros + Mike Scott
3/10 dalbpho8 2025 Dodgers + Sandy Koufax
4/9 davrogbro62 2000 Mariners + Felix Hernandez
5/8 CoachPappy17 1983 Royals + Bobby Witt Jr
6/7 Joshbonds25 1962 Giants + Rogers Hornsby
7/6 revejb 1972 Red Sox + Ted Williams
8/5 bodell82 1939 Tigers + Justin Verlander
9/4 kingdude 1958 Yankees + Babe Ruth
10/3 Open (commish run this season) 1919 White Sox + Frank Thomas
11/2 ndekar 1925 Senators + Kenta Maeda
12/1 Dukesblues 1905 Cubs + Jake Arrieta

9/26/2026

Red Sox Overwhelm Tigers to Win Season 21 World Series

The regular season belonged to Detroit.

The World Series belonged emphatically to Boston.

The 1976 Boston Red Sox defeated the 1925 Detroit Tigers four games to one, turning what began as a tense matchup between the league's top two teams into a demonstration of just how destructive the Boston offense could become when everything clicked at once.

Detroit entered the Series at 94–60, riding MVP Ty Cobb and the league's highest-scoring offense. Boston entered at 91–63 with essentially the same run differential and a deeper pitching staff.

For two games, they looked evenly matched.

Then Boston detonated.

After splitting the opening two games in Detroit, the Red Sox returned home and outscored the Tigers 32–6 over the final three games, including consecutive annihilations of 15–4 and 14–1. Boston ultimately outscored Detroit 40–16 in the five-game Series.

Boston's championship was a team-wide offensive performance, and there are several plausible MVP choices. Jim Rice delivered arguably the biggest hit of the Series with his Game 1 three-run homer and drove in key insurance in Game 5. Petrocelli was seemingly everywhere during Boston's offensive eruptions. Luis Tiant started both Boston's Game 1 victory and the championship clincher.

But the World Series MVP goes to Fred Lynn.

Lynn's defining stretch came in Games 2–4. He homered in three consecutive games, including the only Boston home run in the Game 2 loss, a solo shot during the Game 3 rout, and the three-run exclamation point in Game 4.

His production in those three games alone included three home runs, two doubles, multiple additional hits and walks, and a constant presence in the middle of Boston rallies.

Most importantly, Lynn was at his best during the stretch that broke the Series open.

Detroit left Game 2 with the Series tied.

By the end of Game 4, Lynn and the Red Sox had turned it into a rout.

Season 21 World Series MVP: Fred Lynn, Boston Red Sox.

How Boston Beat the Best Team in the League

The final result is striking because Detroit did not play like an obviously inferior team during the regular season.

The Tigers won 94 games. Boston won 91.

Detroit had a +130 run differential. Boston was +132.

Detroit scored 884 runs. Boston had the better pitching staff.

This looked like a collision between two comparably strong teams constructed in very different ways.

But Boston possessed something Detroit could not match once the Series began: depth throughout the lineup.

The Tigers were heavily dependent on the top of their order. Cobb remained dangerous—especially in Game 2—and Gehringer, Heilmann and Wingo had moments. But Boston attacked from everywhere.

Yastrzemski homered. Lynn homered three times. Rice delivered the pivotal Game 1 homer. Petrocelli homered. Johnson homered and tripled. Cooper homered. Carbo repeatedly reached base and drove in runs.

Detroit could not pitch around anyone because there was always another dangerous hitter waiting.

The most revealing sequence may have been Games 3 and 4. Boston scored 29 runs, but no single hitter carried the offense. The damage came in waves.

And when Boston didn't hit?

It could still win 3–1 behind Tiant.

That was the difference.

The Series totals tell the story:

Boston 4 wins, Detroit 1.

Boston 40 runs, Detroit 16.

Games 3–5: Boston 32, Detroit 6.

Season 21's regular season belonged to Ty Cobb and the Detroit Tigers.

Its final image belonged to Fred Lynn, Luis Tiant, and the Boston Red Sox.

The 1976 Boston Red Sox are the Decade Duel Season 21 World Champions.

7/8/2023

Team Year combos used

* = Division Winner

1900s
1900 Boston Beaneaters/Braves* (season 2)
1901 Pittsburgh Pirates
1902 Pittsburgh Pirates
1902 St. Louis Browns
1903 Boston Americans (Red Sox)
1904 New York Giants
1904 Philadelphia Phillies
1906 Chicago Cubs
1907 Chicago Cubs* (season 3)
1908 Chicago Cubs
1908 Philadelphia Athletics
1909 Philadelphia Athletics
1909 Chicago Cubs
1909 Pittsburgh Pirates
1909 Cleveland Naps
1909 Boston Red Sox


1910s
1910 Chicago Cubs* (season 5)
1910 Boston Red Sox
1910 Pittsburgh Pirates
1911 Chicago Cubs* (season 4)
1911 New York Giants
1911 Philadelphia Athletics
1912 Philadelphia Athletics
1912 Chicago Cubs
1913 Chicago Cubs
1913 New York Giants
1914 Boston Red Sox
1914 Philadelphia Athletics
1915 Boston Red Sox
1915 Chicago White Sox
1916 Boston Red Sox
1916 Chicago White Sox
1917 Chicago White Sox
1918 New York Giants
1919 New York Giants* (season 6)
1919 Cleveland Indians
1919 Detroit Tigers

1920s
1920 Cleveland Indians
1920 New York Giants* (season 1)
1923 New York Giants
1923 Pittsburgh Pirates
1924 New York Yankees
1925 New York Yankees* (season 8)
1925 Detroit Tigers * (season 21)
1926 New York Yankees
1926 Pittsburgh Pirates * (season 19)
1927 New York Yankees
1927 Philadelphia Athletics
1927 New York Giants
1927 Washington Senators
1928 New York Yankees
1928 Philadelphia Athletics
1928 St. Louis Cardinals
1928 New York Giants
1929 Philadelphia A’s
1929 New York Yankees

1930s
1930 Philadelphia A's
1930 Chicago Cubs
1930 New York Yankees
1931 Chicago Cubs
1931 New York Giants
1931 Philadelphia A's
1932 New York Giants
1932 New York Yankees
1933 New York Giants* (season 21)
1933 St. Louis Cardinals* (season 3)
1934 St. Louis Cardinals
1934 New York Yankees
1936 Detroit Tigers* (season 8)
1936 New York Yankees
1937 New York Yankees
1938 New York Yankees
1939 New York Yankees* (season 1)
1939 St. Louis Cardinals
1939 Boston Red Sox

1940s
1940 New York Yankees* (season 19)
1940 St Louis Cardinals
1941 St Louis Cardinals* (season 6)
1941 Boston Red Sox
1941 Brooklyn Dodgers
1942 St Louis Cardinals* (season 4)
1942 New York Yankees
1943 St Louis Cardinals
1944 St. Louis Cardinals
1946 Detroit Tigers
1947 New York Yankees* (season 2)
1947 St. Louis Cardinals
1947 Brooklyn Dodgers
1947 Cleveland Indians
1948 Brooklyn Dodgers
1948 Boston Red Sox
1948 Cleveland Indians
1949 Brooklyn Dodgers
1949 New York Yankees* (season 5)
1949 Cleveland Indians

1950s
1950 Cleveland Indians
1950 St Louis Cardinals
1951 New York Yankees
1953 Chicago Cubs
1954 Brooklyn Dodgers
1955 Cleveland Indians
1955 Brooklyn Dodgers
1956 Cleveland Indians
1956 Brooklyn Dodgers
1957 Brooklyn Dodgers
1957 Milwaukee Braves
1958 Cleveland Indians
1958 Milwaukee Braves
1958 Los Angeles Dodgers
1959 San Francisco Giants
1959 Milwaukee Braves
1959 Los Angeles Dodgers
1959 Pittsburgh Pirates
1959 Chicago White Sox
1959 Cincinnati Reds

1960s
1961 Los Angeles Dodgers* (season 6)
1962 Cincinnati Reds
1962 St. Louis Cardinals
1963 Detroit Tigers
1963 St. Louis Cardinals
1964 San Francisco Giants
1965 San Francisco Giants* (season 5)
1966 Baltimore Orioles
1967 Baltimore Orioles
1967 Chicago White Sox
1967 Detroit Tigers
1968 Detroit Tigers
1968 Baltimore Orioles
1968 St. Louis Cardinals
1969 Baltimore Orioles
1969 Chicago Cubs
1969 Pittsburgh Pirates
1969 San Francisco Giants
1969 Los Angeles Dodgers

1970s
1970 Baltimore Orioles* (season 1) **Champions
1970 Minnesota Twins
1971 Baltimore Orioles
1971 San Francisco Giants
1972 San Francisco Giants
1972 Oakland Athletics
1972 Baltimore Orioles
1972 Cincinnati Reds
1972 Atlanta Braves
1973 Detroit Tigers
1974 Boston Red Sox* (season 4)
1974 Cincinnati Reds
1974 Cleveland Indians
1975 Cleveland Indians
1976 Boston Red Sox* (season 21) ** Champions
1976 Philadelphia Phillies
1977 Cincinnati Reds
1977 Boston Red Sox
1978 Philadelphia Phillies
1979 New York Yankees* (season 3)

1980s
1980 New York Yankees
1980 Philadelphia Phillies
1982 California Angels* (season 2)
1983 California Angels
1984 Montreal Expos
1985 New York Mets
1985 California Angels
1985 St. Louis Cardinals
1986 Houston Astros
1986 New York Mets
1987 New York Mets
1987 Oakland Athletics
1988 Cincinnati Reds
1988 New York Mets
1988 Minnesota Twins
1988 Montreal Expos
1989 Oakland Athletics
1989 Seattle Mariners
1989 Montreal Expos* (season 8)
1989 Texas Rangers

1990s
1990 Oakland Athletics
1991 Houston Astros
1992 New York Mets
1992 Toronto Blue Jays
1993 Texas Rangers
1995 Cleveland Indians
1995 Atlanta Braves
1996 Atlanta Braves
1996 Seattle Mariners
1997 Atlanta Braves* (season 5) **Champions
1997 Chicago White Sox
1997 Seattle Mariners
1998 Atlanta Braves
1998 Boston Red Sox * (season 19)
1998 Houston Astros* (season 8) ** Champions
1998 Los Angeles Dodgers
1998 Seattle Mariners
1999 Atlanta Braves
1999 Arizona Diamondbacks

2000s
2000 Atlanta Braves
2001 Atlanta Braves
2001 St. Louis Cardinals
2001 Boston Red Sox
2002 Atlanta Braves
2003 Florida Marlins
2004 Boston Red Sox* (season 2) **Champions
2004 Houston Astros* (season 3) **Champions
2004 Anaheim Angels
2004 St. Louis Cardinals
2006 Boston Red Sox
2006 Los Angeles Angels
2006 Los Angeles Dodgers*(season 4) **Champions
2006 Minnesota Twins
2007 Boston Red Sox
2007 New York Mets
2008 New York Mets
2008 Los Angeles Dodgers* (season 1)
2008 Tampa Bay Rays
2009 Philadelphia Phillies

2010s
2010 Boston Red Sox
2011 Texas Rangers
2012 Boston Red Sox
2014 Los Angeles Angels
2014 Detroit Tigers
2015 Detroit Tigers
2016 Washington Nationals* (season 6) ** Champions
2016 Toronto Blue Jays
2016 Chicago Cubs
2017 Washington Nationals
2017 Cleveland Indians
2017 Los Angeles Dodgers
2018 Houston Astros * (season 21)
2018 Los Angeles Dodgers
2018 Milwaukee Brewers
2018 Washington Nationals
2019 Houston Astros
2019 Los Angeles Dodgers
2019 Atlanta Braves
2019 Cleveland Indians * (season 20) ** Champions

2020s
2021 Houston Astros
2021 Angels
2022 Los Angeles Dodgers * (season 19) **Champions
2023 San Diego Padres