When spring training opens, there’s the old saw about how it’s a time of hope for every team, but you know that it isn’t really true for every team. Indeed, this year we know that the Braves, Brewers, Phillies and Reds, at the very least, have no hope of contending, something that is by design as those teams rebuild.
In the American League, though, something strange is happening. Every team has a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. Every single one. When does that ever happen?
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Some teams have a better chance than others, of course — it’s not a case of full parity.