There are many teams that still need to improve in order to either earn a spot in the postseason or keep a spot in the postseason racing through MLB rumors this time of year. Here are three of those teams.
As of MLB.com’s August 6th standings, in the American League, the Boston Red Sox lead the AL East, the Cleveland Indians lead the AL Central, and the Houston Astros lead the AL West. The New York Yankees are the top Wild Card team and the Oakland Athletics are the second Wild Card team.
The Seattle Mariners are the only AL team currently out of the playoffs within 2.0 games back of a playoff spot in the Wild Card. The Minnesota Twins are the second closest to a playoff spot, but they are 10.0 games behind in the AL Central.
In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies lead the NL East, the Chicago Cubs lead the NL Central, and the Arizona Diamondbacks lead the NL West. The Milwaukee Brewers are the top Wild Card team and the Atlanta Braves are the second Wild Card team.
The NL has a lot more teams within 10.0 games back of a playoff spot. In the Wild Card, the Los Angeles Dodgers are 0.5 games back and the Colorado Rockies are 2.0 games back. The Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants are all within 6.0 games back of a playoff spot.
Some teams are closer in their division than the Wild Card and some are closer in the Wild Card than the division. As many teams need to improve in order to move into the postseason or keep their postseason spots, here are three teams that could use the waiver wire to their advantage.