Breaking down the chances of every team remaining in the MLB Wild Card race
Sean M. Haffey/Getty
We're entering the final days of the MLB regular season, and as usual, the Wild Card races are coming down to the wire.
While the American League race has been characterized by a crowded, clustered field of evenly matched teams, the National League race has been much easier to make sense of, with two squads from the West division maintaining a significant advantage over the chasing pack for most of the season.
In the end, only two from each league will advance to a one-game playoff, and both races have the potential to provide intrigue until the very last day.
Most teams have just three series remaining on the schedule, so this is the perfect time to take stock of the remaining Wild Card contenders. Below, check out our breakdown of the best second- and third-place teams in baseball, starting with the American League.
New York Yankees
Record: 85-67
Upcoming opponents: Toronto Blue Jays (two series), Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals (one-game makeup)
FanGraphs postseason odds: 100%
Key stat: 811 runs scored, the second-most in baseball
One thing to know: After missing out in 2016, the Yankees are on the brink of clinching their first postseason berth in two years. In a tacit rejection of the team's spend-happy past, young players like Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino have been a huge reason for that success.
Minnesota Twins
Record: 79-74
Upcoming opponents: Detroit Tigers (two series), Cleveland Indians
FanGraphs postseason odds: 73%
Key stat: 59-103 record in 2016, the worst in baseball
One thing to know: No team has ever lost 100 games in a season and gone on to make the playoffs the following year. With a 2.5-game lead over their closest pursuers, the Twins have a great chance to become the first.
Los Angeles Angels
Record: 76-76
Upcoming opponents: Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners
FanGraphs postseason odds: 15%
Key stat: 105 games played for Mike Trout
One thing to know: The Angels' roster is as top-heavy as it gets. It features three superstars in Mike Trout, Andrelton Simmons, and Justin Upton, but the rest of the lineup is simply unimpressive.
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