As of August 16, thirteen teams find themselves within six games of a playoff spot.
So while Boston, New York, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Chicago, Texas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, St. Louis, San Diego, San Francisco, and Colorado will relish playing each other, that doesn’t mean they should glaze over the rest of the schedule.
I’m sure Mets fans remember their own personal playoff spoiler. In both 2007 and 2008, the Mets were eliminated on the last day of the season by the Florida Marlins, who had nothing to gain in the game but the sweet satisfaction of ending New York’s playoff hopes.
Which cellar-dwelling teams will have that same feeling this year?
Here are five who hope to keep their division rivals home this October.