The 2021 postseason picture is taking shape. It’s a tight race in some spots, whereas in others, things look more clear.
If the postseason began today, the ten teams in the playoffs would be as follows; Rays, White Sox, Astros, A’s and Red Sox in the AL, and Giants, Brewers, Phillies, Dodgers, and Padres in the NL. But of course, the postseason does not begin today, and a lot can happen in two and a half months. Here are three teams that are on the outside looking in that still have a fighting chance.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are fourth in a tightly packed AL East, but are still very much alive.
With the Red Sox on a bit of a slide, Toronto has picked up some ground, coming to within 2.5 games of Boston for the second Wild Card. After acquiring Brad Hand and Jose Berrios, they’ve gotten themselves off to a solid start in the month of August. They’ve won 8 of their last 10 games, and still have a chance to win the division as well, sitting just 6.5 games behind Tampa Bay.
If they stay healthy and stay hot, the Blue Jays are a team to keep an eye on as we get closer and closer to October.
Cincinnati Reds
While their recent three game losing skid may have put them further behind Milwaukee in the NL Central, they still have life in the Wild Card race.
Despite losing Nick Castellanos to injury, they quickly turned a 6.5 game deficit to 2.5 games. They’ve lost some ground since, but are still a team to watch as the dog days of summer roll on. A breakout season by Jesse Winker has put them in position to make a run. Their bullpen needs were addressed at the deadline, and with a month and a half left, they’re far from out of it in the Wild Card hunt.
New York Mets
Okay. So they lost Jacob DeGrom and there’s still no timetable for his return. Since then, New York has really scuffled, so much that they took a nosedive from first to third in the NL East. But it would be unwise to count them out.
The rotation still boasts Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, and Tijuan Walker. The acquisition of Rich Hill has proven to be a big one too. The East is a weak division too, and despite their struggles, they’re only a game out of first. That will be their easiest path to the playoffs, as they sit 6.5 back of the Wild Card. If they can stay close and keep their heads above water, they’ll be just fine. They were the favorites to win the East entering the year, and it wouldn’t be smart to write them off now.
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