Seton Hall
MLB Wild Card contenders
Date: July 18, 2019By: Ben Harris
(Team records and standings are updated to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2019.)
American League Wild Card Contenders:
Tampa Bay Rays- (plus 0.5 games back, first in AL Wild Card, six games back, second in AL East, 56-41)
The Rays are in position to hold onto their top Wild Card spot for the remainder of the season. They are a substantial six games back of the East-leading Yankees, but they have given the top dog trouble multiple times this year. Coming off a solid, but unrewarding 90-win season, this improved Tampa team looks to hold on to their playoff positioning.
Cleveland Indians- (zero games back, tied for *second in AL Wild Card, four games back, second in AL Central, 54-40)
The Indians are in a decent competition with Minnesota for first place in the Central. The Twins have been struggling as of late, and if Cleveland can take advantage of the timing and get players like José Ramirez back on track, they could take the division. Either way, if they stay consistent and win divisional matchups, the Indians will play October baseball, one way or another.
Oakland Athletics- (zero games back, tied for *second in AL Wild Card, 4.5 games back, second in AL West, 55-41)
Oakland is an interesting team, whether they are a championship contender or not is a different question. They have been on a roll the past three months with winning percentages of .600 in May, .607 in June, and .818 so far this July. But many experts are unsure of their playoff potential.
They lost against the Yankees in last season's AL Wild Card game and could get back to that stage. However, the pitching staff needs an upgrade. If they can acquire a quality starter and a consistent bullpen guy, they would be a much more intimidating club. With great hitters like Matt Chapman, Khris Davis, and Stephen Piscotty, the fate of the A's truly relies on the pitching staff.
Boston Red Sox- (three games back, fourth in AL Wild Card, 9.5 games back, third in AL East, 52-44)
After a World Series championship in 2018, the Sox have wildly underperformed this season. They have all the talent they could need, after only losing a few of last year's championship contributors.
But improvements need to be made in the bullpen, and players like Mookie Betts need to step up their game. That being said, Boston has not been able to win big games this season and has trouble finishing. They are unlikely to snag a Wild Card spot barring some big shift in the total play of this club.
National League Wild Card Contenders:
Washington Nationals- (plus 1.5 games back, first in NL Wild Card, 6.5 games back, second in NL East, 50-44)
The Nationals are a solid young team with a strong pitching staff. This is a likeable team, but in a division that has been and most likely will continue being dominated by the Atlanta Braves, the Nats do not have a true identity.
Their season will be decided on whether they choose to trade away Anthony Rendon and Max Scherzer. Both are rumored to be on the market, but if Washington stays atop the Wild Card pool, they will likely hold onto the stars and play some October baseball.
Milwaukee Brewers- (zero games back, second in NL Wild Card, 2.5 games back, second in NL Central, 50-47)
The Brewers are a team that has underperformed so far this season, but they have still been able to keep themselves afloat in a weak NL Central. Milwaukee has big-name hitters like reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich and Mike Moustakas to pair with solid pitchers like Zach Davies, who has the sixth best ERA in the MLB at 2.89, and All-Star closer Josh Hader.
Yet, they have not been the same club we saw make the NL Championship Series last year. With upcoming series against division rivals Cincinnati and Chicago, the NL Central race will become much clearer in a week or so.
St. Louis Cardinals- (0.5 games back, tied for **third in NL Wild Card, three games back, third in NL Central, 48-46)
St. Louis spent this offseason adding star power in Paul Goldschmidt. This move backfired, as Goldschmidt just missed the All-Star Game for the first time since 2012. St. Louis has the 22nd worst team batting average in baseball, sitting at .243. Their bats need to wake up and complement their solid defense and pitching in order to make the playoffs as a Wild Card or otherwise.
Arizona Diamondbacks- (0.5 games back, tied for **third in NL Wild Card, 14 games back, second in NL West, 49-47)
The D-Backs are a great team in a tough division. The Dodgers are clearly the best team in baseball and have a commanding 14 game lead on the NL West. Ketel Marte just made his first All-Star Game and has been incredible this season, along with great contribution from Eduardo Escobar. To fight their way into the Wild Card game, Arizona needs to win big games against the Dodgers, and fight off the lower tier competitors in the NL West.
Philadelphia Phillies- (0.5 games back, tied for **third in NL Wild Card, 8.5 games back, third in NL East, 49-47)
After an extremely slow start to the season, Philly has scrapped and clawed their way back into some form of contention. Superstar outfielder Bryce Harper has been a disappointment since signing this offseason, underperforming his massive contract by many millions of dollars.
But a 17-11 month of May has placed them in decent standing. But they need to win series against divisional opponents and get more run support in order to make a playoff appearance.
San Francisco Giants- (2.5 games back, sixth in NL Wild Card, 16 games back, third in NL West, 47-49)
The Giants, like the Diamondbacks, are held down by the division dominating Dodgers. San Fransico has gotten to where they are by playing some incredible baseball as of late, going 11-2 so far this July.
Led by the veteran bats of Kevin Pillar and Evan Longoria, they could stumble backwards into an unexpected Wild Card slot. There are rumors of the clubs shopping ace pitcher Madison Bumgarner on the trade block. If Bumgarner gets moved, expect the Giants to fall out of contention.
*- Cleveland is currently in position to win the tiebreaker with Oakland.
**- St. Louis is currently in position to win the tiebreaker with Arizona and Philadelphia.
Ben Harris can be reached at benjamin.harris@student.shu.edu.
