The Wild Card chase is on! With about 45 games left to play we have some exciting playoff races underway. I will be highlighting all of the teams who have a realistic shot at earning one of the three wild card spots in each of the American and National Leagues. Let us go ahead and start with the American because why not?
American League Contenders:
Rays (69-46) / Orioles (70-43):
This is a tight race. I strongly believe one of these two will win the American League East Division which means the other will most likely earn the 1st or 2nd wild card spot as these two teams currently own the two best records in the American League. The Rays have looked human recently and the Orioles didn't make any major moves at the deadline. Interested to see how the acquisition of Aaron Civale turns out for the Rays? We shall see as these two continue to battle head-to-head for the remainder of the season.
Blue Jays (64-51):
Toronto is interesting. The lineup is dangerous when healthy and in rhythm. A core consisting of Bo Bichette, George Springer, Matt Chapman, Daulton Varsho, Whit Merrifield and Vlad Guerrero Jr. is scary to any opposing pitcher. It is the pitching where I begin to have questions. Chris Bassitt has been solid alongside Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Yusei Kikuchi but who is the 5th arm in the rotation? Alek Manoah has been a disaster and I have lost all faith in him. Truth be told I do not necessarily trust anyone in the rotation for an elimination game besides Gausman at this point. Jordan Hicks did come over from St. Louis to bolster the bullpen which is a bonus. I can see the Blue Jays taking a Wild Card spot but keep your eyes out on that team from Seattle!
Rangers (68-46) / Astros (65-49):
Similar to the AL East division the Rangers and Astros are locked in a heated battle to the finish line in the West. The Rangers have been a wagon all season and have one the the best offenses in baseball. Even with the loss of deGrom the pitching has been solid. All Rangers fans have to be excited after they traded for Max Scherzer at the deadline! On the other hand the Astros are still the Astros. I think Houston will continue to dominate and end up winning the West Division and the Rangers will take one of the Wild Card spots.
Mariners (61-51):
Might be the most interesting team in the American League right now when it comes to playoff talk. This team was hyped up all offseason due to its young and talented core. They are still 10 games above .500 but have not lived up to the expectations of the baseball community. They simply need to keep winning and Julio Rodriguez needs to step it up. I believe they can and have the manpower to do so. I would not be surprised to see Seattle sneak past Toronto into the 3rd Wild Card spot come playoff time.
National League Contenders:
Giants (62-52):
Hard to believe the Giants are tied for the lead in the Wild Card race right now in the National League. This team doesn’t look like a playoff team but it sure as heck looks like it will be one come September. Not a huge believer in this team and there is a lot of competition in the National League. I’ll leave my confidence level at a 6 out 10 for the Giants to get one of the Wild Card spots.
Phillies (62-52):
Last year’s National League pennant winner looks to be in a similar spot…the wild card. I haven’t been a believer in Philly all year but as the season is coming to the end and I look at the field I do have some more confidence in Philly to get one of the Wild Card spots. Their lineup is very interesting with Turner, Castellanos, Schwarber, Stott, Bohm, Realmuto, Marsh and Harper. Imagine Hoskins makes a return and Turner starts to not stink at baseball? Could be the best offense in baseball at full strength.
Cubs (59-55):
The Cubbies made a move for Jeimer Candelario and didn’t sell Bellinger or Stroman. Looks like they are going for it and I respect their decision to give their fans something to be excited about. Not very confident they will end up with one of the Wild Card spots but they are going to give the rest of the National League contenders a run for their money.
Marlins (60-56):
Definitely one of the more interesting teams in the National League. Have great pitching and a solid bullpen but the hitting is definitely Miami’s achilles heel. Luis Arraez, Jorge Soler & Bryan De La Cruz are not enough to carry this team to the promised land. I think they will end up missing out on a Wild Card spot even though I want them in the playoffs.
Reds (60-57):
Similar to Baltimore this team has one of the most exciting young core’s in baseball. Not similar to Baltimore they have yet to start to really put it together. Like everyone else I am stoked that we finally have Elly, McLain, Encarnacion-Strand and Steer among others but it looks like this team is still a year away from contention. Easy could prove me wrong but I just have a feeling the pitching wont get it done.
Diamondbacks (57-57):
This one hurts as they were out to such a hot start and now are on the outside looking in. Really wanted to see Corbin Carroll in the playoffs but it is starting to look like a long shot. Maybe when more of their young talent comes up over the next couple years will they be able to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Padres (55-59):
Long shot but who knows with their talent level?
Photo Credit: AP/Getty Images/Ringer illustration