Nothing to play for if your team’s out of the race? Try telling that to a professional ballplayer.
September offers motivation for everyone in baseball, regardless of a team’s postseason odds. Personal goals are still in the balance. Professional pride is ever-present. Callups are trying to prove something to front offices, while veterans who got off to slow starts are looking to salvage their seasons. Plus, the September schedules are always stocked with inter-divisional matchups.
Yes, there’s plenty to play for. And for those on the outside looking in, playing the “spoiler role” (especially to a rival) can offer its own satisfaction. So, as the stretch run really gets underway, here are five teams that could really pester contenders and impact the postseason races.
Cincinnati Reds (64-74)
The Reds have outscored their opponents and underperformed their Pythagorean win total all season, and so while their October hopes are extremely slim, they still could be a formidable September foe. Trevor Bauer is too talented to keep performing like the 8.40-ERA pitcher he’s been since coming to Cincinnati, and the rest of the Reds' rotation (led by the often-dominant Luis Castillo) represents their best starting unit in years. Eugenio Suarez is enjoying his first 40-homer season, and Joey Votto should be hungry to improve on his .759 OPS over the final month.
Every legitimate NL Wild Card contender has at least one series left against the Reds, who own a winning mark against the Cubs and even records against the Brewers and Mets. And Cincinnati should be motivated to build momentum into 2020, a feeling that would be validated by giving this year’s contenders all that they can handle.
Los Angeles Angels (65-73)
It’s another tough season for the Halos, who saw their offseason acquisitions go awry and then suffered a tragedy with the passing of Tyler Skaggs in July. But there’s still plenty of pop in Los Angeles’ lineup between Albert Pujols, Justin Upton, Shohei Ohtani and, of course, Mike Trout. Andrew Heaney might have found something with a strong return from the injured list in August, and closer Hansel Robles is enjoying the best season of his career.
The Angels have really struggled against contending teams (.381 winning percentage), but they could influence the AL Wild Card race, starting with their series in Oakland. After the ensuing set on the road vs. the White Sox, Los Angeles’ last 18 games include the Indians, Rays, Yankees, A’s and Astros (twice). Both the Wild Card-race winners and the owner of home-field advantage in the AL playoffs could be determined by who handles the Angels -- or who L.A. trips up.
San Francisco Giants (66-71)
San Francisco was legitimately one of MLB’s best teams in July, and the Giants have remained competitive in August, even after cooling off a little. The Giants’ offense has come to life, knocking as many hard-hit fly balls and line drives, as well as barrels, as any NL offense since the All-Star break, according to Statcast. Madison Bumgarner tuned out the trade rumors to post a 2.96 ERA since the start of July, and Jeff Samardzija (2.58) was even better in that span before a tough outing Sunday. Plus, that Giants' bullpen is still stocked with tough arms, including Tony Watson and Will Smith.
Two series left against the Dodgers gives the Giants an opportunity to nick their rival’s hopes at home-field advantage throughout October. San Francisco could also set the Cardinals back this week, and it could really be a thorn in the side of the Red Sox -- who need to win every series to keep their Wild Card hopes alive -- when the Giants travel to Fenway Park on Sept. 17.
Texas Rangers (68-71)
The Rangers’ lineup isn’t the same without Joey Gallo, but co-aces Lance Lynn and Mike Minor -- two of the most valuable pitchers in baseball this year -- present headaches for teams looking to breeze through Arlington. Texas lost steam after finding itself squarely in the postseason mix through June, and the Rangers’ particular struggles against winning teams (.375 win percentage) could assuage contenders’ fears. But, that winning percentage could also be due for a progression to the mean in the final month.
The Yankees are facing Texas for the first time this week (New York was shut out on Monday), and they’ll play the Rangers again in their final series of the season -- games that could be significant if New York is battling Houston for the AL’s best record. The Rangers also have series against Wild Card contenders Tampa Bay and Oakland, who they’ve played to a dead-even run-differential (74-74) over their first 13 matchups.
San Diego Padres (64-73)
The 10 best teams against opponents with winning records this year include nine contenders with legitimate postseason hopes -- and the Padres, who own a competitive .493 winning percentage against winning teams. San Diego will fall a little short this season, but opponents will still have to step into the box against tough starters like Chris Paddack, Joey Lucchesi and now Dinelson Lamet, who’s struck out 70 hitters in 51 innings since returning from Tommy John surgery. Once you get through them, Kirby Yates looms as a favorite for the Trevor Hoffman Award as the NL’s best reliever.
The D-backs, Cubs and Brewers are three teams that can’t afford any slip-ups, and they will all have to tiptoe past the Padres to solidify their October hopes.