The MLB playoffs are around the corner and with the field mostly set, teams like the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, NY Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers are setting up their playoff rotations and lineups heading into next week.
The Cardinals, Blue Jays and Dodgers all clinched division titles and they join the Mets and the Royals as division winners. The Astros are trying to stay alive for the West with the Texas Rangers and as things stand on Thursday, the Rangers likely will be the division winners. The Yankees are still working on clinching, but they are in good position to make it as the top wild card in the AL.
The Pirates and Cubs are playing in the wild card game in the NL and the Pirates are appearing in that game for the third straight season. The Dodgers and Mets are going to be matching up in the NLDS, while the Cards will face off against a division rival in either the Cubbies or the Pirates. Heading into the playoffs here is a quick look at the rankings for the teams and some predictions about what could happen.
National League:
Honestly, all of these teams are really good and all could make World Series runs. With the NL it's basically preference, as each of these teams has the chance to get through to play for a championship.
St. Louis Cardinals
Cards have been the best team in the NL all season and they are division champs again. Hard to argue with them as a World Series favorite, but they will have to overcome injuries.
LA Dodgers
Great one-two punch with Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, but how will the rest of the rotation pitch? Also, Kershaw has not had all that much success in the playoffs.
NY Mets
The Mets have the deepest pitching in the majors and Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard can matchup with anyone. Can Yoenis Cespedes keep up his hot hitting for the playoffs after carrying the Mets to a division title?
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates have been there all year and they are in the wild card again and they have the depth to make a run.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are young, so why not the Cubbies!? The team has Jon Lester as a starter with experience and Jake Arrieta had a season for the ages. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo give the lineup some pop.
American League:
The Blue Jays second half run has vaulted them ahead of the Royals, who has slumped a little bit. But the Royals are deep and made the World Series last season and it would be foolish to think they can't again.
Toronto Blue Jays
This team was middling at .500 when the trade deadline changed everything. Players like Troy Tulowitzki and David Price have made impacts and Josh Donaldson is the likely MVP this season.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals have been around the top of the AL all season and they have the depth and talent to make a run. But Johnny Cueto has not been an ace since the deadline and they need him to be.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers have raced ahead of the Astros and may hold on for the division title. Prince Fielder has had a huge season and Cole Hamels gives the team a number one starter.
NY Yankees
The Yankees have a chance, but health could be the key factor. A-Rod is slowing down and Mark Teixeira is out and if the pitching can't hold up with Masahiro Tanaka, the team will not get out of the WC game.
Houston Astros (or Twins or Angels)
The Astros have slipped during the second half and a World Series run looks unlikely.
