Second Wild Card

[notin]

I think most baseball experts and people will agree the top four teams in the AL, barring disastrous injuries, are the Sox, Yankees, Guardians, and Astros. After that, there remains the second Wild Card to round out the playoffs. The early favorites are Tampa, Oakland, Minnesota, and Los Angeles of Anaheim. But it’s worth pointing out in the last two years, both Oakland and Minnesota took the second wild card pretty much out of nowhere.

 

So what are the thoughts on this year for the second wild card? One of the four prime suspects listed above? Or is there another good candidate for that spot?

 

Also, this is MLB. The four front runners are not guaranteed anything, as postseason turnover is paramount. With that in mind, which of Boston, NY, Houston or Cleveland is most susceptible to missing the playoffs?

 

Thoughts?

[Kimmi]

I have already put in my vote for the Devil Rays.

 

That said, I would not be surprised if any of the other 3 teams you mentioned took the 2nd wildcard.

 

As far as the top 4 teams go, I would be highly surprised if any of them missed the playoffs. IMO, the only real question is who will win the AL East and who will have to settle for the WC. The most susceptible to missing the playoffs would be the Yankees, but sadly, that won't happen.

[Bellhorn04]

I think Cleveland is the most susceptible of the top 4 to miss the playoffs.

[notin]

I think Cleveland is the most susceptible of the top 4 to miss the playoffs.

 

 

They do seem to have a worse lineup than last year, and for all the talk about the Sox losing Kimbrel and Kelly, who did the Guardians replace Allen and Miller with?

 

Their saving grace is a weak division with 3 rebuilding teams. But hey, sometimes rebuilding happens quicker than anticipated. (Are the White Sox a postseason dark horse?)

[moonslav59]

I think Cleveland is the most susceptible of the top 4 to miss the playoffs.

 

They are in such an easy division, I'm thinking maybe Houston.

 

Div lead at season's end 2018:

 

13 CLE

 

8 BOS

 

6 HOU

[Slasher9]

i was going to wait until closer to opening day to shake out any ST injuries but here it is:

East: Red Sox

Central: Twinkies

West: Athletics

1st WC = Devil Rays

2nd WC = Astros

[Northern Star]

I have already put in my vote for the Devil Rays.

 

Is it 1998 again already?

[moonslav59]

i was going to wait until closer to opening day to shake out any ST injuries but here it is:

East: Red Sox

Central: Twinkies

West: Athletics

1st WC = Devil Rays

2nd WC = Astros

 

That would be sweet.

[jacksonianmarch]

i was going to wait until closer to opening day to shake out any ST injuries but here it is:

East: Red Sox

Central: Twinkies

West: Athletics

1st WC = Devil Rays

2nd WC = Astros

 

What a homer moron

[jacksonianmarch]

I don’t think the top 4 changes outside of the Yanks taking the division and the Sox being WC 1. That could change based on injury or pen additions. WC 2 to me looks like the Rays to lose. I know Oakland won 97 games last year, but teams held together with duct tape and chicken wire usually don’t last more than a season. I think their offense will be good, but their best pitcher blew out his shoulder and I just don’t think they’re going to repeat this year. I like what the Rays did in the off-season and more than that, I like what they have coming back. There’s a strong chance they’ll pair the 2018 CY with the 2019 ROY in Honeywell, assuming he returns well from TJS. Deleon is good too and should be back near the beginning of the year. The offensive additions should help as should the veteran leadership of a guy like Morton.

[notin]

It’s interesting how much faith you have in Rays’m pitchers returning from injury as opposed to Sox pitchers...

[Slasher9]

What a homer moron

 

ok, so we gonna get personal?

whats your prediction?

can you explain "homer moron" when the red sox have won the division 3 straight years, coasted into last years ALE title by 8, EIGHT games and are the reigning WS champions? which part of that makes me a moron for picking the Red Sox to win the ALE?

lets hear it....i'll wait....

[Kimmi]

I think Cleveland is the most susceptible of the top 4 to miss the playoffs.

 

Cleveland is the weakest of the 4 teams, but they have so little competition that it will mostly be a cakewalk for them.

[Kimmi]

i was going to wait until closer to opening day to shake out any ST injuries but here it is:

East: Red Sox

Central: Twinkies

West: Athletics

1st WC = Devil Rays

2nd WC = Astros

 

In!