In Major League Baseball, Oakland Athletics executive Billy Beane has a strategy for the regular season. He divides it into three two-month intervals. The first two months are for learning what the team needs. The next two months are for making upgrades. And the final two months are for the stretch run and, hopefully, the postseason.
With the trade deadline passed, we are now in the third interval according to Beane’s plan. The next eight weeks will determine which teams make the playoffs, get better seeding, and more. In this article, we will highlight the six teams that have the most at stake in these final two months. It’s like a pressure-to-win index. Let’s dive in.
The Los Angeles Angels made some significant moves at the trade deadline, but the most important decision was not making a move involving their star player Shohei Ohtani. General manager Perry Minasian believes that the Angels are in for difficult times, with or without Ohtani. So they are trying to make the most of the time he has left with the team. However, the Angels’ position in the standings has dropped since the deadline, reducing their chances of making the playoffs and keeping Ohtani next season. Although it’s still possible for them to turn things around, it’s hard to have high expectations. Yet, the pressure remains on the Angels to avoid being known as a franchise that missed the playoffs despite having two of the greatest players of all time, Ohtani and Mike Trout.
For the Milwaukee Brewers, the future is uncertain. Their manager Craig Counsell’s contract is expiring soon, and it’s likely that some of their core players will leave in the near future. Shortstop Willy Adames and right-handed pitchers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff become free agents after the 2024 season, and the Brewers might have to trade at least one of them this winter. With the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds improving and the St. Louis Cardinals expected to bounce back, the Brewers face tough competition. It would be disappointing for them to end this era with no playoff series wins since their 2018 run to the National League Championship Series.
The San Diego Padres have invested heavily in building a championship-caliber team. Failing to make the playoffs and finishing fourth in the division would be a significant letdown. While it’s uncertain if owner Peter Seidler would make changes to the organization, it’s reasonable to assume that he would consider it.
Unlike the previous teams, the Texas Rangers’ placement on this list is solely based on baseball. They have never won a World Series before, but this season’s team has a chance to change that. Even if they don’t win, reaching the American League Championship Series would still be a significant achievement. However, there is inherent pressure that comes with this opportunity.
The Minnesota Twins have not won a postseason game since October 2004. This long drought has created frustration among fans. Additionally, the Twins have been struggling in the weakest division in the majors until recently. Their major deadline acquisition was veteran right-handed reliever Dylan Floro, which was a good move. This year, with the absence of prominent teams like the New York Yankees in the American League playoff bracket, it’s crucial for the Twins to achieve some success.
6. New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have had a challenging year. They are at risk of missing the playoffs and potentially finishing last in their division for the first time since 1990. This situation has led to speculation about possible personnel changes within the organization. However, it appears that general manager Brian Cashman is safe for now. The mishandling of the Anthony Rizzo situation has also added to the team’s troubles.
