MLB: The Road to the Playoffs

The month of August is a bittersweet month for MLB fans. On the one hand, the baseball season is sadly winding down. On the other hand on a more positive note, the end of August brings a ton of interest as to what will happen in September and, more importantly, in the MLB Playoffs.

All contending teams are set and ready to make their last pushes to the MLB playoffs. Schedules get tougher, durability becomes a focus, and the element of surprise may be higher than ever. Here are just some of the many stories to look forward to in the rapidly approaching future:

The NL Wild Card Race

It’s safe to say that last year’s NL Wild Card race was largely set in stone. However, this year has been drastically different. The NL Wild Card race is extremely tight, as six different teams are contenders, with two of them also battling it out for a division crown. The Giants and Cardinals currently lead the NL Wild Card standings, with the Marlins, Mets, and Pirates not far behind.

The Dodgers are currently in first place in the NL West, but with their injuries, inconsistencies, and the presence of the Giants, it may be difficult to keep their place. Teams like the Rockies and Phillies made cases as Wild Card contenders early on, but have since fallen off.

All of these contending teams have had their issues: the Cardinals, Marlins, and Dodgers have dealt with injuries. The Mets have dealt with lackluster offensive production. The Pirates have dealt with pitching inconsistencies. However, most of these teams are late-bloomers, which will greatly benefit them in the NL Wild Card race.

The Curse of the Cubs

Since the resurgence of the Chicago Cubs, many have wondered if their World Series curse would finally end. This year, the Cubs are running away with the NL Central lead. The Cubs pitching staff has established itself as one of the best in baseball, with breakout seasons coming from Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks.

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While the Cubs may not always hit for a high average, their offense possesses power, clutch hitting, and youth, which could serve as a recipe for disaster for other NL teams. The Cubs and their fans have had to endure many trials and tribulations, but the 2016 season looks bright. The team has the tools to do it. Now, it is time to put those tools into action.

Triple-Trouble in Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers winning the NBA Championship, as well as Stipe Miocic winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship, officially ended the Cleveland Sports Curse. However, Cleveland sports teams may not be done, as the Indians are making a strong case for the World Series.

Led by one of the most underrated pitching staffs in the Majors to go along with a veteran offense, the Indians chances of making it to the playoffs are very strong. With the Royals and Tigers starting to battle back, it will be interesting to see if the Indians can keep the lead in the AL Central. Cleveland is 5-5 in their last ten games, and have struggled on the road, but have proven they can compete in a tough AL Central.

South Beach Surprise

As mentioned above, the Miami Marlins are still in the race for the NL Wild Card. Coming out of the offseason with an entirely different coaching staff, the Marlins have completely turned it around, and have managed to keep pace in a tight NL Wild Card race.

Missing the presence of Giancarlo Stanton, the Marlins have still put up respectable numbers. With a team that lacks playoff experience, it will be interesting to see how they fare in a big spot. Hopefully for Marlins fans, this 2016 run can lead to an even brighter future.

Next: Ruiz Trade Nearly Ends an Era

The 2016 season has featured many ups and many downs. However, the race for the gold is on. The gloves are off, and contending teams are ready for battle. The 2016 season is coming to a close, and the excitement level is high. The fate of several teams will be decided within the next month, as the rest rebuild for a brighter future.

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