The Main League Baseball season, coming into Friday, Sept. 13, has 17 days remaining. We have nonetheless bought just a few actually shut playoff races (AL East, NL wild card, seeding, and so on.), however there are a very good variety of groups formally eradicated from playoff competition. What in regards to the groups in limbo, although? That’s to say, they’re nonetheless technically alive however want lots of assist to make the postseason? 

I usually speak about The Shawshank Redemption and the idea of “hope” being a very good factor, as Andy taught Pink. There’s additionally — on the completely reverse finish of the spectrum — the Dumb and Dumber, “so that you’re telling me there’s an opportunity!” meme. What can we get on the intersection of Shawshank and Dumb? An impossibility, in all probability, however let’s embrace the potential chaos nonetheless. 

Proper now, based on SportsLine, we have 4 playoff contenders with a greater than 1% probability but lower than 10% probability to make the playoffs. It is a complete longshot, however some excessive outcomes this weekend might make a run life like. 

Right here they’re together with what they should occur this weekend earlier than daring to dream.

Playoff possibilities: 8.2%

Dropping at residence to the Rockies on Thursday was not advisable. The Tigers had gained 20 of 28 earlier than then to make themselves related regardless of being sellers on the commerce deadline. That one harm, however it is time to transfer ahead. 

First issues first, and we’ll say this about each single group listed, clearly, what the Tigers want most this weekend is a sweep. They have three video games towards the Orioles, so it is a tall order, however this train is all about hope. In the event that they do this and the Reds sweep the Twins, the Tigers are simply 0.5 video games behind the ultimate AL wild-card spot. Even 2/3 of the best way on both collection (for instance: Reds take two of three and the Tigers sweep), however not each, makes this a 1.5-game deficit for the Tigers and that is workable. 

Of notice: The Twins have to go to the Guardians to 4 video games beginning on Monday. The Tigers simply may need a gap right here, however this weekend has to go swimmingly. 

Lastly, it could not harm to have the Mariners and Pink Sox every drop no less than a sport to present the Tigers some extra respiratory room, although it is not 100% required. 

Finest-case state of affairs: Tigers sweep Orioles; Reds sweep Twins; Mariners and Pink Sox lose no less than one.

Seattle Mariners

Playoff possibilities: 6.4%

The Mariners are down 4.5 video games in each the wild-card race and the AL West, so that they have a number of avenues of pursuit right here. 

All of it has to begin with Mariners wins, although. They misplaced on Thursday evening, however have three extra video games towards the Rangers and have to win all three. It’s crucial at this level with no margin for error. 

From there, the aforementioned Reds will help by sweeping the Twins. That might get the Mariners inside 1.5 video games of the final wild-card spot. In addition they might use an Orioles collection win over the Tigers — a sweep is good — and the Pink Sox to lose no less than as soon as, because the three groups are separated by only a sport. 

After all, the AL West title can be preferable to the final wild-card spot, so the Mariners might use some assist from the Angels, too, who host the Astros for 3 video games. 

Essentially the most fascinating end result for the Mariners, clearly, can be every thing breaking proper so that they’d have each the wild card and division in play with two weeks to go. 

Finest-case state of affairs: Mariners win three; Angels sweep Astros; Reds sweep Twins; Orioles sweep Tigers; Pink Sox lose no less than one

Boston Pink Sox

Playoff possibilities: 4.3%

The Pink Sox misplaced their first sport within the Bronx on Thursday, so that they’ll be seeking to take three of 4 from the Yankees by successful Friday-Sunday. Some assist from the Rangers would not harm, simply to knock the Mariners behind the Pink Sox (the 2 groups are at the moment tied). The primary gadgets of curiosity are losses by the Twins (most vital) and Tigers. 

As an example the Pink Sox win three straight whereas the Twins and Tigers get swept. That would depart the Pink Sox simply 1.5 video games out and forward of the remainder of the outside-looking-in hopefuls. That is positively workable in two weeks, particularly since — you prepared for this? — the Pink Sox host the Twins for a three-game collection Sept. 20-22. 

Finest-case state of affairs: Pink Sox win three; Reds sweep Twins; Orioles sweep Tigers; Mariners lose no less than one  

Playoff possibilities: 2.3%

They really have been six outs away from being 2.5 video games again on Labor Day and blew that sport. They now sit 5 video games out of the ultimate NL wild-card spot, held by the Mets, with the Braves in between. It is too dangerous it is not nearer, as a result of the schedule units up actually properly for the Cubs. They play three in Colorado earlier than returning residence to host the A’s for 3 video games and Nationals for 4. 

This weekend, the Cubs need assistance from two first-place groups. The Braves host the Dodgers for 4 video games (it bleeds by Monday, however we’ll simply focus on the three weekend video games for now) whereas the Phillies host the Mets for 3. 

It is unlikely, however not off-the-charts ridiculous, to check the Cubs sweeping the Rockies whereas the Mets get swept and the Braves lose three. Such a state of affairs would have the Cubs inside two video games of a playoff spot come Monday, solely trailing the Braves by a sport. The Braves and Mets have a three-game collection left towards each other, too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves right here. It is a five-game deficit with one other group 4 video games forward proper now. 

Additionally, this has to stay a consideration: The Cardinals are just one sport behind the Cubs and have the tiebreaker by advantage of successful the season collection, seven video games to 6. The Playing cards are in Toronto for a hen bout and the Cubs might positive stand to see a Blue Jays win or two for some readability. 

Finest-case state of affairs: Cubs sweep Rockies; Phillies sweep Mets; Dodgers beat Braves 3 times; Cardinals lose no less than as soon as