With the MLB season heating up to its showpiece finale in late October, the potential contenders for the World Series are starting to emerge throughout the American and National Leagues. But which teams are pretenders and which teams are the real deal?
American League East
The most competitive race for the playoffs this season - there will be two teams in the playoffs from this division but we won't know in which order until the end. But will they be good enough for a world title?
Baltimore Orioles
The hottest team in the division at the moment, the Orioles have turned themselves from a minnow to a real title contender thanks to a young team finally playing at its potential. Their bullpen has depth and they know how to fashion runs in tight games. The one thing that will count against them is their lack of experience in the post-season especially if they come up against the likes of the Texas Rangers.
If they make it: They'll play for the American League pennant but will come up short against the Rangers.
New York Yankees
Hard to read into the Yankees at the moment. They will always have the power at base but their pitching hasn't been their strongest this year and question marks remain over the form of CC Sabathia and Jaba Chamberlain. Phil Hughes has done a super job as both have blown hot and cold this season but he can't be expected to carry the Yankees through the entire post-season.
If they make it: Wildcard team at best. Pitching not good enough to win a World Series at this point of time.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have one of the best bullpens in the league but at base haven't been so effective which has left them high and dry in the tight games - they've lost many of those including to the Rangers. They're currently on the backfoot in this tight race for the wildcard but could still sneak in. If they do, they could be a true wildcard team and a real spoiler for the division winners expecting an easy run.
If they make it: Could be a team to watch in the post-season. But I think they'll just miss out as a result of those tight losses.
American League Central
It's turned into a fascinating battle between the Sox and Tigers with both needing to win the division to make it into the post-season.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox started brilliantly since that perfect game by Phil Humber against the Mariners and have really kept up the pace at the top, keeping a little bit of distance between themselves and the Tigers. Are they a playoff team? I don't think their pitching and batting is as good as the other contenders in the American League.
If they make it: They should be happy with winning the Division, could struggle against the Rangers or American League East winner.
Detroit Tigers
It's frustrating being a Tigers fan. You have the best pitcher in the league in Justin Verlander and one of the best first basemen in Prince Fielder but you still find yourselves on the backfoot in the race for a playoff spot - again. The Tigers have got a great squad and one that would be tough to beat in the playoffs but getting there has been a problem Jim Leyland is scratching his head to figure out. Those losses to the White Sox will hurt should they fail to make it again.
If they make it: Potential World Series contender here. But that's if they make it.
American League West
Texas Rangers
Best team in the American League? They have been for some time and it's pretty much the same team that has flown the flag for the American League in the World Series since 2010. They will be there - too many good hitters and a bullpen that is stronger than ever. Question is whether they can finally shrug off their "choker" tag - Game 6 of the 2011 World Series pretty much glued that tag on Ron Washington's team. Surely, 2012 will be their year, then again we said that in 2010 and 2011.
If they make it: Certain World Series contender bar an upset. World Series favourite as always but it might be a tag they'd like to lose as it's never really helped them.
Oakland Athletics
Riding on the wave of popularity courtesy of Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, Billy Beane's A's are having their best season in ages and should sail into the playoffs as the best wildcard team in the American League. Are they a World Series contender? They've done well given the limited budget they're on, but quality will cream to the top in the post season and I don't think the A's quite have it.
If they make it: A chance for the Pennant at best. But it'll be quite a tale if they made it all the way.
National League East
Washington Nationals
The Nats have finally shown what they can do after years of underperforming since the original Expos franchise moved from Montreal. They've riden on Strasburg's coat-tails but with the star pitcher's season now over, I wonder if the Nats will struggle from here on end. They should win the division but factors like experience and bullpen depth could count against them.
If they make it: Could lose to a Wildcard team. Pennant race at best. Would be remarkable if they won the World Series without Strasburg.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have had a good year and might just avoid that traditional September collapse and march into the playoffs as the best wildcard team. They could be a team no one wants to face in the playoffs given the format - Tim Hudson is one of the best pitchers home and away and a good platform for the Braves to build their world title hopes on.
If they make it: Potential Pennant and World Series contender. Will lose to the Rangers though.
Philadelphia Phillies
A sign of a good team. The Phillies looked completely out of it 2 weeks ago but a winning run has suddenly put them right in the thick for one of the wildcard places. If they pull it off, it would be quite sensational and I think no one in the post-season would want to face the likes of Chase Uttley and Roy Halladay. This is after all nearly the same team that won the World Series in 2008, made it again in 2009 and has been a playoff regular ever since.
If they make it: Pennant winner and a strong favourite on paper for the World Series.
National League Central
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are a tough, uncompromising ball team as we've seen in their feisty series against the Pirates. They will be quite hard to beat in the playoffs but their manager has made comments about the format and is rightfully concerned. The Reds are a vulnerable team away from home - which really rules them out as a true playoff contender with the Giants, Cardinals and Phillies all good teams away from home if they make the playoffs.
If they make it: Pennant at best.
St Louis Cardinals
Like the Phillies, the Cardinals are one of those teams who are always thereabouts. Like the Phillies, the Cardinals looked out of it until the latter part of the season. The reigning World Champions are just clinging onto that final wildcard spot. It'll be remarkable if they made it in their first post-Pujols season and like the Phillies they could be a team no one wants to face.
If they make it: See Phillies.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Whatever happens to the Pirates, it has been a season to remember for this team that is used to finishing last in the whole league. It has been quite a turnaround for this young team that hopefully will get better and ensure the beautiful PNC Park sees action right till Halloween. Form hasn't been good in recent weeks though and might have just about ended their hopes of a first appearance in the playoffs in years, this season at least.
If they make it: Unlikely now but if they somehow pulled off a late, late surge and results elsewhere went their way - eliminated in the wildcard game.
National League West
San Francisco Giants
I wasn't so sure 2 weeks ago about my team being a World Series contender but with each day, I think the Giants look more like the World Series winners they were in 2010. Keeping Buster Posey healthy will be important - the Giants offence seems to fall apart when he's not in the starting lineup although it looks like Hunter Pence is starting to take more responsibility in igniting the offence. The bullpen isn't as strong as other teams but is getting better - Affeldt is emerging as a top class finisher. If Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum can hit their best form at the right time and the offence keeps firing, I can't see why the Giants can't win the World Series.
If they make it: Could be the National League's best chance of winning the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On paper, they currently have the best team in the National League. But the reality never usually follows the script albeit a script that was really only written last month. The Dodgers will be playoff contenders next season if their team is healthy throughout but the best they can hope for right now is a wildcard spot and given their current form, that is looking quite remote especially given the Braves have sealed one spot while the other is being hotly contested by the Phillies and Cardinals as well. But as I said, they do have the best team on paper in the National League which counts for a lot in the playoffs.
If they make it: Dark horse for the Pennant.
Tip for World Series? Heart says Giants v Rangers. Mind says the same actually.
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