The MLB playoff field is nearly set, and all the teams in contention have their sights set on the World Series. However, some contenders are nothing more than pretenders. Here are three teams that might be in the playoff picture, but have NO chance of winning a title:
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota is only one game out of a wild card spot, but they simply don't have anything they can hang their hat on to beat the playoff teams ahead of them in a series. They rank 27th in the league in on-base percentage (.305), 23rd in batting average (.249), 21st in ERA (4.10), and 26th in opposing batting average (.270).
An easy stretch against the Orioles, Rays, and White Sox has allowed them to catch fire at the right time, but they just don't have the talent to sustain it.
Texas Rangers
Texas surprisingly holds the second wild card spot in the AL thanks to a big second-half surge and the addition of Cole Hamels, but they don't have the pitching top to bottom to make it through the postseason. Their staff ranks 24th in the majors in ERA (4.29), 24th in batting average against (.261), and 26th in WHIP (1.37).
The Rangers have the offensive firepower (10th in runs) to win a series, but their pitching woes will cost them down the road.
New York Yankees
New York has one of the best offenses in the majors, but they're starting to struggle at the wrong time. The Yankees have struggled against good teams all season, posting a 25-26 record against teams currently in the playoff picture, and are just 11-12 against those teams in the second half of the season. That, coupled with their inconsistent pitching, will result in a postseason exit prior to the Fall Classic.
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