MLB: Three Playoff Teams That Won’t Repeat in 2017
By Jason Reed
The 2016 MLB playoffs were perhaps the greatest in recent memory. From watching the Cubs make history, to the agony of defeat of nine other teams, this season was something special.
Ten teams suited up to play MLB October baseball this year. The National League was very competitive, as no sweeps occurred. The American League was nearly the exact opposite. If it wasn’t for a Blue Jays win in Game 4 of the ALCS, every series would have been a sweep. It all led down to the World Series, a seven-game slug fest that resulted in a curse being broken. Despite being one of the best MLB postseasons in recent memory, there will undoubtedly be some different teams participating next October.
Whether it was because of their playoff performance or trends to end the season, three teams stand out as potentially not making it back to October. These teams may have lost talent, or simply can’t keep up with their division foes. Everything can change in December, however, as these teams may make a splash. But whatever the reason may be, these same teams don’t seem like they will make a big move this winter.
So which teams am I addressing? One team from the NL and two from the AL. These ball clubs will still be competitive next season, and will still make a close push for October. It’s not that they will be complete busts next season, it’s that other ball clubs seem more fit to make the trip to the postseason. There is a very good chance that each one of these teams will prove me wrong and send three other teams out of October. However, because of the trends of last season and the growth of the competition, here are three teams that will fail to make the postseason next season.