Chances are, if you have been watching and talking about baseball long enough, then you know the Wild Card is a divisive issue. Some think it shouldn’t exists at all, others are fine with the new system, but more still would prefer a best of three series. However, the fact is two teams will meet to play a one game playoff and the victor will advance.
The Most Prepared Teams for a Wild Card Playoff
It may not be fair, but it is all we have right now. Some teams are better designed to win these kinds of games. It is prudent to take a closer look at the teams competing for that Wild Card spot and see who is best fit to win the one game and advance to a tue series.
The American League East Looks to Dominate
The 2016 Wild Card very likely will belong to an American League East team, which has been sensational all season. The Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox have all held first place at some point this season. Even better is that the New York Yankees, after dumping many of the big salaries and stars, and allowing their young talent playing time, are actually in contention.
Currently, the Red Sox have hold of the division by a lead of two games. The wild card game would be the Blue Jays vs. the Orioles. Both of these teams have strong lineups that drive in runs in bunches. However, the key to winning in a one-game playoff is having one shut down ace that nobody can hit (a Jake Arrieta, Clayton Kershaw, or Madison Bumgarner type). Neither team has that, but the Blue Jays do have Aaron Sanchez (13-2, 3.17 ERA) and J.A. Happ (19-4, 3.27 ERA), two starters who are major reasons this team is in contention. The Orioles have Chris Tillman (16-5, 3.68 ERA). Both teams may have the offense, but the Jays have the better options for a one game match-up that makes or breaks the season.
The Yankees are still in this race, but they have an incredibly hard schedule that pits them against the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Orioles. This 2016 season has been about changing the guard and allowing the youngsters to show off their talent. They have played even better than most expected, but it is doubtful they have a legitimate chance to overtake either team in this division because of that schedule.
While there are other teams that could jump into this race easily, like the Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, or even Kansas City Royals, there is one team not from the East with the best chance at making the wildcard spot and they are the Detroit Tigers.
These Tigers have proven that their offense can score consistently. Add in the facts that Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.33 ERA) has resurfaced as one of the more dominant pitchers in the game, and that ten of their remaining games are against either the last place Minnesota Twins or Atlanta Braves. That schedule should keep them in the Wild Card race, if not win it. For now, the American League Wild Card belongs to the East, but keep watching because there are three weeks left and seven teams battling for two spots. It would be fascinating to see the Tigers oust either the Blue Jays or the Orioles, because they are clearly a team capable of going deep in the postseason. Give the Blue Jays and Tigers a slight advantage in a Wild Card game, but don’t sell the Orioles too short.
Real Danger Lurks Within The National League
Recently discussed were the San Francisco Giants, who remain a game up on everyone in the wildcard race. If you are team trying to advance into a postseason series, the last team you want to face in a one-game playoff would the Giants. They have Bumgarner (14-9, 2.66 ERA), who can shut you down, a bullpen that can still stifle, albeit less consistent than years prior, and an offense that finds a way to efficiently manufacture runs. All this on a team that is getting healthier and picking up momentum. Add in their incredible history of pulling out upsets in elimination games. The Giants are a worst nightmare scenario for any opponent especially in a one-game playoff.
Another talented team capable of dominating in a Wild Card game happens to be the New York Mets, who some were counting out in early August. They were injured, they were slumping badly, and it felt like their season was imploding in traditional Mets fashion. However, this team rebounded; every day there was a new hero at the plate, a new pitcher to come up big. Sometimes it was a familiar name; other times it was someone just called up. Not only are they playing some of the most consistent ball of the season, they have the easiest schedule of all potential contenders left. You may think you know these Mets, but be wary of them; they’re harder to put down than you may have realized. Who really wants to face Noah Syndergaard (13-8, 2.43 ERA) in a game which decides decides the season?
Then we have the perennial postseason threat, the St. Louis Cardinals. Many had the Cardinals being a contender this year because of their solid rotation, lineup, and bullpen. Perhaps they’d lead the division if not for the amazing Chicago Cubs. However, the one mark on the Cardinals is their trouble beating good teams. Yes, when they are facing teams at or below .500 record on the season, the Cardinals do well. They often have beaten the teams they are supposed to beat. The trouble is, when they’ve faced potential contenders, the Cardinals have not performed very well. The Cardinals can certainly beat you in a one game playoff, but with a substandard record against the best teams this season, it would be safe to suggest they are the team you’d hope to come across in your pursuit of postseason glory.
If you are searching for the best prepared teams to win the 2016 National League Wild Card playoffs, the Giants are certainly the best prepared, with the Mets coming in a close second.
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