2016 Playoff Teams On The Slide

Last week we looked at three teams - Pirates, Rockies and Mariners - which are good bets to sneak into the playoffs this season. Basic math tells us that three playoff teams from last year will have to be bumped, so here are a trio of 2016 post-season teams which could be on the outside looking in come October:

1. San Francisco Giants - It's an odd-numbered year, so expect trouble in the city by the bay after two World Series wins and three playoff appearance sin the last five years. The Giants were 87-75 and made it into the NLDS before getting dominated by the eventual champion Cubs. The problem last season - the back end of the pen - may have been solved by signing Mark Melancon. But the concern this time around is an offense which has some aging veterans in keys spots, especially the outfield. It was only OK last year, and nothing has been done to improve things. USA Today projects the Giants at 89 wins, which is a bit ambitious and an opening for under players.

2. New York Mets - New York never made a really serious run at the Nationals in the NL East last season, then caught Madison Bumgarner in the wild-card round and that was that. Now, in a slightly improved division the Mets might have to be concerned with teams below them. Assuming good health, the starting pitching is solid. But four of the five starters are coming off some kind of surgery, and no one knows when (or if) their best position player, David Wright, will be back as he recovers from neck surgery. Most books have the O/U at 87.5.

3. Baltimore Orioles - To start with, the starters are sketchy. No. 1 Chris Tillman already has some cortisone in his pitching shoulder and won't get back on the mound until late next month, and the No. 2 (Kevin Glausman) had only two good months last season. After that, anyone who can throw hard strikes will get the ball. The O's look to be hard-pressed to get back to the playoffs in an improved AL East, with books figuring them for 83 to 84 wins, and cappers liking the under.

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