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

By Greg Goldstein

Sep 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Angel Pagan (16) is congratulated by catcher Buster Posey (28) after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Angel Pagan (16) is congratulated by catcher Buster Posey (28) after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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9. Houston Astros (76-70, 3.5 games back)

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Why they can do damage: When looking at Houston’s roster, it is clear what the team’s strength is. The club has one of the best young lineups in all of MLB. With Carlos Correa, George Springer and MVP hopeful Jose Altuve being staples in the Astros batting order, and now with the addition of the fantastic Alex Bregman, this offense is much better than last year’s squad.

You then factor in the strong play of Cuban signee Yulieski Gurriel, and this team can be dangerous at the plate. And not only is their offense good, it’s dynamic. Jose Altuve is a terror on the bases. Bregman and Gurriel are just solid contact hitters. Then the likes of Evan Gattis and Springer can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Also, with Ken Giles rebounding in the second half of the season, it makes their bullpen much more formidable, although it’s still not lockdown.

Why they won’t: Unfortunately, with all the excitement on the Astros roster, their starting rotation has been a major achilles heel for this team all season. Outside of the solid pitching of Doug Fister, things have been pretty dire. Last season’s AL Cy Young, Dallas Keuchel, has been up and down to put it nicely. Colin McHugh has been a little worse than average this entire year. The club is now relying on talented rookie Joe Musgrove to pick up the slack, which is probably too much to ask. There is just not much to get excited about here with Lance McCullers Jr. continuing to nurse an injury.

Outlook: This is a talented ball club, no doubt. However, their exciting offense and solid bullpen would not be able to make up for them trotting out guys that, for the most part, don’t deserve to be in an MLB playoff rotation. There is some potential here, but the regular season has halted what were high expectations coming into 2016.

Next: 8. Yankees

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