Top Five Contending Teams That Will Benefit From Returns of Injured Players

Some Major League Baseball playoff contenders will receive a bigger boost than others from injured players returning to action to lend a hand (or a bat) down the stretch.

There are some talented players currently on the disabled list throughout the major leagues who could return to help their respective teams earn a playoff berth.

Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and New York Mets lefty Steven Matz are just a few of the individuals who could make a difference over the final month of the season.

Getting healthy players back in the lineup can make the difference between making the playoffs or not. Some teams, such as the Dodgers, are so banged up they can use all the help they can as they hold off the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.

In such a grinding sport, no one is fully healthy this time of year. As you will see, some teams are in rougher shape than others. Without further adieu, here are the top six playoff-contending teams who figure to benefit most down the stretch from players returning from injuries:

Next: Honorable Mention: Houston Astros