MLB: Which Wild Card Contenders Pose the Greatest Postseason Threat?

With just a few weeks remaining in the MLB regular season, the Wild Card races in both the National and American Leagues remain far from being settled. Which of these Wild Card hopefuls would have the best chance of advancing deep into the postseason if they got in?

Ever since the two Wild Card team format was implemented back in 2012, there have been a few Wild Card teams that have done some serious damage in October. During the first go around with the new playoff system, the surging St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals to make it to the NLDS. Back in 2014, the Royals won the one-game playoff and would eventually get to Game 7 of the World Series. Even last year, the Chicago Cubs were able to beat the Cardinals in the NLDS.

All of this recent winning gives fans of Wild Card hopefuls hope that not only can their clubs crack the postseason, but that they will be able to go deep into the playoffs. Baseball is a sport that can change very quickly and is difficult to predict, especially when it comes to a five- or seven-game series.

While the divisional favorites do look stronger than in years past, there are many potential Wild Card teams that have the pieces to at least challenge the division winners come October. The last time that a Wild Card won the World Series was in 2011, when the Cardinals went on a magical run to end the regular season, which lasted until the final out of the Fall Classic.

But who is the most dangerous Wild Card hopeful in the majors? Here we will go team-by-team to see who has the best chances of going deep into MLB’s postseason.

Note: All of the teams mentioned have a better than minimal chance of making the playoffs. The Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates will not be mentioned. Current division leaders will not be ranked as well, even if their lead is in question.

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