The 2020 Shortened Season MLB.tv Watchability Rankings: Part 2
Every year, I rank the MLB teams by MLB.tv watchability. It’s not a ranking of the best teams, it’s a ranking of the most interesting ones: some great teams are boring and some terrible teams are train wrecks you can’t take your eyes off of.
Typically, I do this exercise in March before the season starts, so you, our devoted readers, have an idea of how to manage your time over the course of something like 2400 MLB games per year. This year, of course, things are different. There’s only going to be 60 games per team and we have a lot of baseball-less months to catch up on – so you should watch them all.
If for some stupid reason you can’t, though, I’m here to help you out. If anything, these rankings are more important than ever, given that we literally can’t attend games and our only choice is to watch on TV.
Below is Part 2 of this year’s rankings, teams 11-20 that teams you should watch in the abbreviated 2020 season. Part one of this year’s rankings is here. You can check out the 2015 MLB.TV rankings here, and part 1 , and part 2 of the 2016 version here. 2018’s version is here. 2019 is here. (Yes, there is no 2017.)
2020 MLB.tv Watchability Rankings
11) Chicago White Sox
No Michael Kopech is a bummer, but the White Sox will still be one of MLB’s most exciting young teams this year. Lucas Giolito is a showstopper and leads a rotation featuring Dallas Kuechel and Gio Gonzalez but the lineup is the real show- Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Tim Anderson, and Nomar Mazara! That’s power, speed, youth, excitement, and maybe, a lot of wins. Watch the White Sox.
12) Chicago Cubs
Not sure what else you need besides Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javy Baez in a bizzare empty Wrigley Field. If you do need something though, there’s Yu Darvish, Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber and the promise of an intense divisional race between the Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, and Reds for the playoffs.
13) Boston Red Sox
No Chris Sale is a bummer, and Mookie Betts and David Price are gone too, so the Sox fall a few spots to almost average this year. They’ve still got Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and lot’s of intense games against the Yankees, Rays, Nats, and Mets. Plus spooky empty Fenway Park.
14) San Diego Padres
Do you really need more than Manny Machado, Chris Paddack, Fernando Tatis Jr., and the glorious return of the brown jerseys? No, you don’t.
15) St. Louis Cardinals
No Jordan Hicks is a bummer, and the Cardinals are the Cardinals. They’ll be really good and kinda boring. They deserve this spot right in the middle of the rankings.
That said, Paul Goldschmidt, Yadier Molina, and Jack Flaherty will all be there in baseball’s best uniforms and you should watch.
16) Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers boast superstar Christian Yellich, funky ace reliever Josh Hader, and kind of a weird opener-curious starting rotation. They’ll win a lot of games and look good in their new unis doing it. Also, does Bernie Brewer still slide down the slide if there are no fans? Tune in to find out!
17) San Fransisco Giants
No Buster Posey is a big bummer, and harbor no illusions that this team will be very good, but Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence are a blast to watch and this team is led by baseball’s most attractive manager, Gabe Kapler, if that’s the type of thing you’re into.
18) Cleveland Indians
Last year was a disappointing one for the Indians and their best players. Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer are gone, but the rotation is still one of baseball’s best. Fransisco Lindor still has a strong case as baseball’s best shortstop, and Jose Ramirez will be looking to prove that 2019 was fluke and not his new normal.
19) Texas Rangers
The Rangers have new uniforms, a new stadium that looks like a grill/trailer park/ warehouse/ generally bad looking thing, and a new Ace in Kluber. They also still have Joey Gallo who is much watch TV whenever he comes to bat.
20) Arizona Diamondbacks
Madison Bumgarner is there now! Ketel Marte is way better than you think, and their underhandedly awesome rotation of MadBum, Robbie Ray, Luke Weaver, and Zac Gallen will match up against the Dodgers, Rockies, Astros, Angels, and A’s all the time.
Part 3 coming soon!
