MLB Wild Card Standings: Which Teams Have the Best Chance to Make the Playoffs in 2023?

The MLB regular season is nearing its end, and the playoff race is heating up with a focus on the wild card entries. While seven teams have already clinched their division titles or playoff berths, there are still five spots up for grabs in both leagues. Let’s take a look at the current wild card standings and the chances of each team to make it to the postseason.

American League

The American League wild card race is a tight one, with four teams within 1.5 games of each other for the two spots. The Rays, Blue Jays, Astros and Mariners are all fighting for their playoff lives, while the Yankees and Red Sox are still mathematically alive but need a miracle to catch up.

• The Rays have already clinched a playoff berth and have a comfortable lead over the rest of the pack. They have a balanced team with a strong offense led by Nelson Cruz and Randy Arozarena, and a solid pitching staff anchored by Shane McClanahan and Collin McHugh. They also have the easiest remaining schedule among the contenders, facing only the Orioles and the Yankees.
• The Blue Jays are in a good position to secure the first wild card spot, as they have been one of the hottest teams in baseball in September. They have a potent lineup that features four players with more than 30 home runs: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette and Teoscar Hernandez. They also have a reliable ace in Robbie Ray, who leads the AL in ERA and strikeouts.
• The Astros are currently holding on to the second wild card spot, but they have been struggling lately, losing seven of their last 10 games. They still have a formidable offense that ranks first in the AL in runs scored, batting average and OPS, with stars like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez. However, their pitching has been inconsistent, especially their bullpen, which has blown 25 saves this season.
• The Mariners are the surprise team of the year, as they have defied expectations and stayed in the playoff hunt until the end. They have a scrappy team that relies on timely hitting, clutch pitching and solid defense. They have several players who have stepped up in big moments, such as Mitch Haniger, Kyle Seager and Ty France. They also have a dominant closer in Paul Sewald, who has converted 18 of 19 save opportunities.
• The Yankees and Red Sox are both on the verge of elimination, as they have fallen behind in the wild card race after poor performances in September. The Yankees have been plagued by injuries, inconsistency and lack of depth, while the Red Sox have been hampered by COVID-19 outbreaks, pitching woes and defensive errors. Both teams need to win almost all of their remaining games and hope for other teams to lose in order to have a chance.

National League

The National League wild card race is more clear-cut than the American League one, as there are only three teams realistically competing for the two spots. The Phillies, Diamondbacks and Cubs are all within one game of each other, while the Marlins, Reds and Giants are still hanging around but need a lot of help to catch up.

• The Phillies have clinched a playoff berth and have a good chance to secure the first wild card spot, as they have been playing well in September. They have a balanced team with a powerful offense led by Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, and a solid pitching staff anchored by Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. They also have the advantage of playing their last six games at home, where they have a 45-31 record.
• The Diamondbacks are currently tied with the Cubs for the second wild card spot, but they have the edge in the tiebreaker, as they won the season series 4-3. They have a resilient team that has overcome several injuries and slumps, and a dynamic offense that features Ketel Marte, Josh Rojas and Carson Kelly. They also have a reliable ace in Zac Gallen, who has a 2.91 ERA and 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
• The Cubs are also in the mix for the second wild card spot, but they have been inconsistent lately, losing four of their last seven games. They have a potent lineup that boasts four players with more than 30 home runs: Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras. They also have a formidable duo in Kyle Hendricks and Adbert Alzolay, who have combined for 29 wins and a 3.38 ERA.
• The Marlins, Reds and Giants are all still mathematically alive, but they need a lot of things to go their way to make it to the playoffs. The Marlins have a young and talented team that has shown flashes of brilliance, but they lack experience and consistency. The Reds have a high-powered offense that ranks second in the NL in runs scored, but they have a shaky pitching staff that ranks 13th in ERA. The Giants have a veteran team that has defied the odds, but they have been hampered by injuries and slumps.

The MLB wild card race is one of the most exciting and unpredictable aspects of the baseball season, as it provides drama, suspense and surprises until the very end. The teams that make it to the playoffs will have to overcome many challenges and prove themselves against the best of the best. The teams that miss out will have to reflect on what went wrong and what they can do better next year. No matter what happens, the fans are in for a treat as they witness some of the most thrilling games of the year.

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