Down the stretch we come! Just over two weeks separate MLB contenders from coveted postseason berths.
The finish line may be in sight, but there’s still plenty of time for teams with playoff aspirations to slip up. Over the next few slides, we’ll identify five squads across baseball that are the most likely to play spoiler.
Our selections are based off a combination of two elements: games remaining against contenders (obviously) and how well a potential spoiler has played in recent weeks. The teams on this list may have losing records overall, but each is playing over .500 ball in September.
Seeing as many of the races are still relatively unsettled, most of these spoilers come from the American League. The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles will have their say in which team wins the AL East, while the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners can each dictate where teams like the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins finish in the standings.
It’s much more cut-and-dry in the Senior Circuit, although we still need some clarity in the NL Central. That final result will depend on how all three playoff-bound teams deal with the Cincinnati Reds over the final weeks.
Let us know what you think about our spoiler choices. Can these teams really affect playoff races across MLB? Do any of these teams worry you more than others?
We’ve enjoyed a fantastic 2015 MLB season, but it’s not finished yet. Let’s find out which unexpected teams can provide us with a few more twists and turns.