We only have four days left of the regular season. The time is finally here for playoff baseball. Eight of the 10 postseason spots have been filled. The American League wild card is still in contention, with three teams trying to fill the final two spots. Here is a preview of all 11 teams.
National League
Atlanta Braves: The Braves are division champs for the first time since 2005, led by MVP candidate Freddie Freeman and All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. The team owns the best ERA in the majors, along with the most homers in the NL.
St. Louis Cardinals: The 2011 World Series champs make another appearance. They are led by aces Adam Wainwright and Shelby Miller. This one-two punch, along with the bats of Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday, has the Cards in contention for the best record in the NL.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The high-spending offseason paid off. The Dodgers have clinched the NL west. Rookie phenom Yasiel Puig and Cy Young favorite Clayton Kershaw make the Dodgers NL favorites.
Pittsburg Pirates: The surprise team of the NL, the Pirates have made a tremendous run. Their recipe for success has been great pitching along with great defense. The team is led by Gold-Glove center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who has had an MVP-type season with a .320 batting average and 20 homers.
Cincinatti Reds: They are back for another run. The Reds have made three trips to the postseason in the past four years. This year they hope to finally win it all behind All-Stars Brandon Phillups and Joey Votto.
American League
Boston Red Sox: After a dismal 2012 season, the Red Sox made a full 180. Leading the majors right now with 95 wins, the Sox come in as the AL East champions. The Sox lead the league in runs, RBIs and OPS. All-Stars David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia have carried much of that lumber.
Oakland Athletics: Make it two years in a row. The no-name Athletics have managed to win the AL West again with a payroll of only $60 million. They own the second best ERA in the AL and look to continue their pitching success in the postseason.
Detroit Tigers: After losing in the World Series last year, the Tigers plan to return. The Tigers’ great pitching staff is bolstered by 20-game winner Max Sherzer and former MVP Justin Verlander. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera is seeking back-to-back MVPs with his league-leading average and RBIs.
The wild card/bubble teams
Tampa Bay Rays: The well-managed Rays hope to make it back to the postseason. They hold the top spot of the AL wild card right now. As is the case of all Joe Maddon teams, the team has great pitching and defense. The pitching staff is led by Matt Moore and last year’s AL Cy Young winner David Price.
Cleveland Indians: Another surprise team of 2013, the Indians under first-year manager Terry Francona have the number two spot in the AL wild card right now. The offseason pickups of Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher have helped jumpstart the offense.
Texas Rangers: The Rangers have had a rough second half. They now find themselves trailing the Indians by one game for the second Wild Card spot. The Rangers still have that potent offense, though. All-Star Adrian Beltre has contributed with his 29 homers and .317 average.
World Series prediction
The Los Angeles Dodgers take the Detroit Tigers to seven games, but the Tigers prevail and win the series.
