MLB Wild Card Race
Soon both the American and National League Division series will be upon us in the MLB, currently the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland A's and Kansas City Royals are currently tearing up the American League and are almost assured to feature in the playoffs. Meanwhile in the National League the LA Dodgers led by the dynamite pitching of Clayton Kershaw are dominating the West Division and are set be joined by a resurgent Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals (Expo fans go wild!). But who will make up the other four teams contending for a final playoff slot? Fans we have ourselves a wild card race!
American League Wild Card Standings
LA Angels
Detroit Tigers
Seattle Mariners
Toronto Blue Jays
New York Yankees
Prediction: This league is one the more closely contested one with five teams who are only 3.5 games away from causing an upset to each other. The LA Angels are always a consistent team and they would have to be my first pick for a wild card slot, particularly as their stats stand at 5th overall in the league and from 4181 at bats, they have scored over 1087 hits! Detroit led by Miguel Cabrera and new pitching addition David Price are proving to be unpredictable (seeing them sink two 9th inning homers last week at the Rogers Centre killed!) plus the Seattle Mariners despite some average stats, are looking solid. Felix Hernandez has been in great pitching form and Robinson Cano's batting averages ranks at .329!As much as I would love the Blue Jays to make the playoffs, I have to concede that despite their impressive hits and home run stats, their form is too patchy to merit a place and John Gibbons and co may have to begin the rebuilding process for next year. In typical fashion, the Yankees are still in the race, they may not have impressed this year despite Derek Jeter's best efforts, but they you can never count them out.
But in conclusion if I had to pick two teams to make it this year I would go with the following.
American League Wild Card Match Up: LA Angels v Detroit Tigers
National League Wild Card Standings
Pittsburgh Pirates
St Louis Cardinals
San Francisco Giants
Atlanta Braves
Cincinnati Reds
Predictions
To look at these wild card standings, you would expect at least three of these teams to be nearer the top the division rather than scraping out of the for a final playoff slot. The Pirates have been a team
that has shone in some games but not others, but with the excellent batting of Andrew McCutchen they just stand a chance. World Series finalist last season, the Cardinals are still in the race and as they have demonstrated time and againlong as Matt Adams and Matt Carpenter keep hitting- they stand a chance of doing something great. The Giants however have had an indifferent season and are beginning to look a shadow of the 2012 winning selves! Losing star pitcher Matt Cain to injury sure hasn't helped either. But I refuse to strike them off the list, particularly as they have a team of hitters to die for! Plus Madison Bumgarner throwing a no hitter was impressive. The Atlanta Braves continue to be a dark horse and despite not setting the world alight with their stats, they are getting the wins when needed. The Reds are a team that everyone wants to see do well, but although they are hanging on it the National League, sadly I don't think it will be their year.
National League Wild Card Match Up: Pittsburgh Pirates v St Louis Cardinals
American League Wild Card Standings
LA Angels
Detroit Tigers
Seattle Mariners
Toronto Blue Jays
New York Yankees
Prediction: This league is one the more closely contested one with five teams who are only 3.5 games away from causing an upset to each other. The LA Angels are always a consistent team and they would have to be my first pick for a wild card slot, particularly as their stats stand at 5th overall in the league and from 4181 at bats, they have scored over 1087 hits! Detroit led by Miguel Cabrera and new pitching addition David Price are proving to be unpredictable (seeing them sink two 9th inning homers last week at the Rogers Centre killed!) plus the Seattle Mariners despite some average stats, are looking solid. Felix Hernandez has been in great pitching form and Robinson Cano's batting averages ranks at .329!As much as I would love the Blue Jays to make the playoffs, I have to concede that despite their impressive hits and home run stats, their form is too patchy to merit a place and John Gibbons and co may have to begin the rebuilding process for next year. In typical fashion, the Yankees are still in the race, they may not have impressed this year despite Derek Jeter's best efforts, but they you can never count them out.
But in conclusion if I had to pick two teams to make it this year I would go with the following.
American League Wild Card Match Up: LA Angels v Detroit Tigers
National League Wild Card Standings
Pittsburgh Pirates
St Louis Cardinals
San Francisco Giants
Atlanta Braves
Cincinnati Reds
Predictions
To look at these wild card standings, you would expect at least three of these teams to be nearer the top the division rather than scraping out of the for a final playoff slot. The Pirates have been a team
that has shone in some games but not others, but with the excellent batting of Andrew McCutchen they just stand a chance. World Series finalist last season, the Cardinals are still in the race and as they have demonstrated time and againlong as Matt Adams and Matt Carpenter keep hitting- they stand a chance of doing something great. The Giants however have had an indifferent season and are beginning to look a shadow of the 2012 winning selves! Losing star pitcher Matt Cain to injury sure hasn't helped either. But I refuse to strike them off the list, particularly as they have a team of hitters to die for! Plus Madison Bumgarner throwing a no hitter was impressive. The Atlanta Braves continue to be a dark horse and despite not setting the world alight with their stats, they are getting the wins when needed. The Reds are a team that everyone wants to see do well, but although they are hanging on it the National League, sadly I don't think it will be their year.
National League Wild Card Match Up: Pittsburgh Pirates v St Louis Cardinals
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