Predicting the Entire 2016 American League Playoff Field
It certainly looks like the American League is going to have a ton of parity this season, which means the playoff hunt will be very interesting. There’s a good chance a handful of teams will be competing for a playoff spot all the way to the last day of the season.
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This parity makes it harder to predict who will make the playoffs, but here goes nothing. Based on additions this offseason and momentum they built in 2015, here are the five teams who figure to reach the postseason from the American League this year.
Next: No. 2 Wild Card - Kansas City Royals
No. 2 Wild Card – Kansas City Royals
The defending World Series champs took a step back this offseason, although they were able to keep fan favorite Alex Gordon, which many thought was impossible. Still, there will be far more competition in the AL Central this year and KC might finally be out of magic.
Still, their lineup is deep and coming off a season they showed they could come up big in the clutch. That will go a long way down the stretch. For that reason, they will win a tough battle for the league’s final playoff spot.
People doubted the Royals going into last season and they proved them wrong, so they could very easily do that again in 2016. However, there are more obstacles to them reaching the playoffs this year, so they will have to overachieve even more than they did a year ago.
Next: No. 1 Wild Card - Texas Rangers
No. 1 Wild Card – Texas Rangers
The Rangers were one of the most surprising teams in the league a year ago, but they shouldn’t be taking anybody by surprise this season. At the top of the rotation, they have two aces in Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels. While the pitching depth isn’t necessarily there, the lineup should pick up the slack.
If Prince Fielder can duplicate his 2015 performance, the team is in really good shape. They will need young players like Rougned Odor and Joey Gallo to step up as well in order for the team to reach the postseason. Of course, the addition of Ian Desmond figures to help the lineup as well.
This team could probably win either of the other two divisions in the American League, but the Astros are primed for a huge 2016 season and that will keep the Rangers from winning their division. If they can get past the Royals in the wild card playoff game, though, all bets are off.
Next: AL West Champion - Houston Astros
AL West Champion – Houston Astros
Houston certainly appears to be ready to emerge as the best team in the American League in 2016. They have an emerging superstar in Carlos Correa and a potentially stacked lineup. On top of that, they bolstered their bullpen by adding Ken Giles.
In the rotation, 2015 Cy Young award winner Dallas Keuchel is ready to establish himself as a perennial ace and the depth behind him is nothing to laugh at. Lance McCullers and Collin McHugh could develop into really nice middle-of-the-rotation pitchers.
Above all else, the Astros’ youth and excitement could propel them to 95+ wins in 2016. Of course, youth means more inexperience, but the team got a taste of the postseason last year. After a rough exit in 2015, they’re going to be hungry to go deep into October this year.
Next: AL Central Champion - Cleveland Indians
AL Central Champion – Cleveland Indians
This may seem like a surprising pick to some, but it really shouldn’t. Cleveland has one of the deepest rotations in baseball. With power pitchers like Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, the team has a chance to win on any given day. Add to that an improved lineup and the Indians start to look really formidable.
The team will be without Michael Brantley to start the season, but they can overcome that if he’s back by June. With manager Terry Francona possibly coaching for his job, this team is going to be inspired. Even the call up of Francisco Lindor seemed to light a fire under the team a year ago.
If that fire is there all year for the Indians, they could be really dangerous. So dangerous they could win the AL Central and even more in October.
Next: AL East Champion - Boston Red Sox
AL East Champion – Boston Red Sox
The AL East should be pretty competitive this season, but the Red Sox appear to be the cream of the mediocre crop. No teams figure to be great out of this division, but if one team is going to emerge as a World Series contender, it’s likely to be Boston.
Adding David Price to the rotation and Craig Kimbrel to the bullpen instantly bolsters the team’s overall pitching. Offensively, the team is set, as they were well above average last year, even as the team finished in last place.
This team built a lot of momentum at the end of last season and the additions made this offseason should add to that momentum. In Big Papi’s last season, look for the Red Sox to push for a playoff spot. Once they’re there, David Ortiz is going to want to go out in style.