News » Postseason OutlookLast 30 Games:23-7

The Milwaukee Brewers erased what was a five-game deficit in the NL Central standings on Sept. 1 to force Game 163 Rich Hill Jersey , and they've been playing great baseball down the stretch.NL MVP favorite Christian Yelich (NL-leading .323 BA, .997 OPS, 36 HR, 109 RBI) and breakout star Jesus Aguilar (.893 OPS, 35 HR, 108 RBI) paced an offensive attack that slugged 218 home runs (fourth in MLB) on the year.The resurgence of Ryan Braun (8-for-22, five homers in six games last week) could wind up being a major storyline in October.It's an unheralded starting staff that raises some red flags.Chase Anderson (30 GS, 9-8, 3.93 ERA), Wade Miley (16 GS, 5-2, 2.57 ERA), Jhoulys Chacin (34 GS, 15-8, 3.56 ERA) and Gio Gonzalez (5 GS, 3-0, 2.13 ERA since atrade from Washington) will likely make up the postseason rotation.Luckily, that group is backed by a dynamic relief corps.Jeremy Jeffress, Josh Hader and Corey Knebel form an exceptional trio at the back of the bullpen that stacks up to any trio of relievers in baseball. Rookies Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff are also capable of providing multiple innings, which takes further pressure off the starting staff.This is just the fifth time in franchise history that the Brewers are in the postseason, and while they're an underdog of sorts, their roster is well-designed for Ocotber success.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupCF Lorenzo CainLF Christian Yelich1B Jesus Aguilar2B Travis ShawLF Ryan Braun3B Mike MoustakasC Erik KratzSS Orlando ArciaBenchC Manny PinaIF Jonathan SchoopIF/OF Hernan PerezOF Keon BroxtonOF Domingo SantanaPitching StaffSP Chase AndersonSP Wade MileySP Jhoulys ChacinSP Gio GonzalezRP Brandon WoodruffRP Xavier Cedeno (L)RP Dan Jennings (L)RP Corbin BurnesRP Joakim SoriaSU Corey KnebelSU Josh Hader (L)CL Jeremy JeffressNotable Exclusions:RHP Jacob Barnes, RHP Zach Davies, OF Curtis Granderson, RHP Freddy Peralta, 1B/OF Eric Thames, RHP Taylor Williams3. Cleveland Indians (91-71, AL Central Champions)8 of 10Francisco Lindor and Jose RamirezGregory Shamus/Getty ImagesPostseason OutlookLast 30 Games:16-14The 2018 Cleveland Indians became the first team in MLB history to have four pitchers reach the 200-strikeout mark in the same season.Corey Kluber (33 GS, 20-7, 2.89 ERA, 222 K), Trevor Bauer (27 GS, 12-6, 2.21 ERA, 221 K), Carlos Carrasco (30 GS, 17-10, 3.38 ERA, 231 K) and Mike Clevinger (32 GS http://www.dodgersfanproshop.com/authentic-alex-wood-jersey , 13-8, 3.02 ERA, 207 K) will form a postseason rotation that's as good as any in baseball.Meanwhile, the bullpen that had been such a major strength in recent years struggled for much of the year, though the deadline trade to acquire Brad Hand and Adam Cimber helped, as will the ability to use rookie starter Shane Bieber in a multi-inning relief role.The offense got big seasons from Jose Ramirez (.944 OPS, 39 HR, 106 RBI), Francisco Lindor (.871 OPS, 38 HR, 92 RBI) and Edwin Encarnacion (.810 OPS, 32 HR, 107 RBI), and August waiver acquisition Josh Donaldson (60 PA, .920 OPS, 3 HR) is starting to look like his pre-injury self.An ultraweak AL Central and a 23-31 record against teams with a winning record will be easy fodder for the detractors.It's hard to look past that starting rotation, though. If they all pitch up to their potential, this team is going to be awfully tough.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupSS Francisco LindorLF Michael Brantley2B Jose RamirezDH Edwin Encarnacion3B Josh Donaldson1B Yonder AlonsoRF Melky CabreraC Yan GomesCF Jason KipnisBenchC Roberto PerezIF Erik GonzalezIF/OF Yandy DiazOF Greg AllenOF Brandon GuyerPitching StaffSP Corey KluberSP Carlos CarrascoSP Trevor BauerSP Mike ClevingerRP Shane BieberRP Dan OteroRP Oliver Perez (L)RP Adam CimberSU Andrew Miller (L)SU Brad Hand (L)CL Cody AllenNotable Exclusions:OF Rajai Davis, LHP Tyler Olson, RHP Neil Ramirez, RHP Josh Tomlin2. Boston Red Sox (108-54, AL East Champions)9 of 10J.D. Martinez and Mookie BettsBillie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty ImagesPostseason OutlookLast 30 Games: 18-12The Boston Red Sox set a franchise record with 108 wins this season as baseball's best offense paved the way.With MVP candidates Mookie Betts (1.078 OPS, 32 HR, 80 RBI) and J.D. Martinez (1.031 OPS, 43 HR, 130 RBI) leading the way, the Red Sox led the majors in runs (876), batting average (.268) and OPS (.792).While those two were the clear standouts, an excellent sophomore season from Andrew Benintendi (.830 OPS, 41 2B, 16 HR, 87 RBI) and a career year from Xander Bogaerts (.883 OPS, 23 HR, 103 RBI) are also worthy of mention.On the pitching side of things, Chris Sale (27 GS, 12-4, 2.11 ERA) was his usual stud self, while David Price (30 GS, 16-7 Starlin Castro Jersey , 3.58 ERA) returned to front-line form. Rick Porcello will fill the No. 3 starter spot ahead of either Nathan Eovaldi or Eduardo Rodriguez, and that group might be the deciding factor in whether this team contends for a title.The emergence of Ryan Braiser (34 G, 10 HLD, 1.60 ERA, 0.77 WHIP) has been a huge boon to the bullpen, and knuckleballer Steven Wright (16 G, 29.2 IP, 1.52 ERA) has also taken to a relief role. Those two will be counted on heavily to help bridge the gap to closer Craig Kimbrel.The Red Sox were the best team in baseball during the regular season, but the back end of their starting rotation and an inconsistent bullpen are enough to knock them out of the No. 1 spot heading into the postseason. Still, that offense alone could be enough to win atitle.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupRF Mookie BettsLF Andrew BenintendiDH J.D. MartinezSS Xander Bogaerts1B Mitch Moreland3B Rafael Devers2B Ian KinslerCF Jackie Bradley Jr.C Christian VazquezBenchC Sandy LeonC/OF Blake Swihart1B/OF Steve PearceIF Brock HoltIF Eduardo NunezPitching StaffSP Chris Sale (L)SP David Price (L)SP Rick PorcelloSPNathan EovaldiRP Eduardo Rodriguez (L)RP Steven WrightRP Heath HembreeRP Bobby Poyner (L)SU Matt BarnesSURyan BraiserCL Craig KimbrelNotable Exclusions:LHP Brian Johnson, RHP Joe Kelly, IF Tzu-Wei Lin1. Houston Astros (103-59, AL West Champions)10 of 10Justin VerlanderMark Cunningham/Getty ImagesPostseason OutlookLast 30 Games:22-8The Red Sox might have wrapped up the regular season with the best record in baseball, but the defending champion Houston Astros are again the team to beat.The pitching staff led the majors in team ERA (3.11), team WHIP (1.10), starters' ERA (3.16 ERA), quality starts (104) and bullpenERA (3.03).Justin Verlander (34 GS, 16-9, 2.52 ERA, 290 K), Gerrit Cole (32 GS, 15-5, 2.88 ERA, 276 K), Charlie Morton (30 GS, 15-3, 3.13 ERA) and Dallas Keuchel (34 GS, 12-11, 3.74 ERA) will make up a formidable and battle-tested postseason rotation, while Lance McCullers Jr. shifts to the bullpen.Roberto Osuna (23 GS, 12/12 SV, 1.99 ERA) has shored up the closer's role, and fellow trade pickup Ryan Pressly (26 G, 13 HLD, 0.77 ERA, 12.3 K/9) might be the best pitcher you've never heard of.All that and we still haven't mentioned an offense that scored 4.92 runs per game.Alex Bregman (.926 OPS, 31 HR, 103 RBI, 105 R) has taken his game to another level and should show up on quite a few MVP ballots.The biggest concern has to be the struggles of Carlos Correa since returning from a back injury that cost him more than a month. He's hitting just .180 with a .517 OPS in 153 plate appearances since the All-Star break.That said http://www.marlinsfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-bour-jersey , there's an awful lot to like about this Astros team as it sets out to defend its title, and its lights-out starting staff and strong lineup are enough to earn Houston the No. 1 spot in our pre-playoff power rankings.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupCF George Springer2B Jose Altuve3B Alex BregmanLF Marwin GonzalezSS Carlos Correa1B Yuli GurrielDH Tyler WhiteRF Josh ReddickC Brian McCannBenchC Martin MaldonadoOF Tony KempOF Jake MarisnickDH Evan GattisPitching StaffSP Gerrit ColeSP Justin VerlanderSP Dallas Keuchel (L)SP Charlie MortonRP Lance McCullers Jr.RP Brad PeacockRP Will HarrisRP Collin McHughRP Tony Sipp (L)SU Ryan PresslySU Hector RondonCL Roberto OsunaNotable Exclusions:RHPChris Devenski, RHP Josh James, RHP Joe SmithAll stats courtesy of Baseball Reference andFanGraphs, unless otherwise noted, and accurate through Sept. 30. CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs expect to make changes after an early playoff exit. Just not in the manager’s office.Joe Maddon will return as skipper for a fifth season, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Wednesday.“He’s the manager of this team and I’m very happy about that,” Epstein said.Maddon has one year left on his contract. Though there are no ongoing discussions about an extension, Epstein insisted they have a “terrific” working relationship.“We don’t agree all the time about baseball issues, and that’s the way it should be,” Epstein said. “I don’t want a yes man as the manager.”Maddon has a 387-261-1 record with playoff appearances in each of his four seasons in Chicago. The Cubs have more wins during that span than any other team, with three trips to the NLCS and a World Series championship in 2016 that ended a drought dating to 1908.Chicago finished 95-68 this season, blowing a five-game lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central before losing a tiebreaker to the Brewers for the division title at Wrigley Field. Chicago was eliminated by Colorado with a 2-1, 13-inning defeat in the NL wild-card game at home Tuesday.While Maddon appears to be staying on, shortstop Addison Russell might have played his final game for the Cubs.Russell accepted a 40-game suspension Wednesday for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy after a series of allegations made by his ex-wife. Epstein said he wasn’t sure what the odds were of Russell playing another game for Chicago.As for Maddon, there were some hints during the regular season that he and management might not be on the same page, fueling speculation that he might be on the way out if the Cubs don’t make a deep playoff run. Epstein suggested last month that using closer Brandon Morrow in a third straight game June 2 might have led to the bone bruise in his right elbow that ultimately ended his season, and Maddon initially did not read the blog post by Russell’s ex-wife accusing the shortstop of domestic violence.Epstein said the two have not yet discussed a contract extension, meaning there’s a chance Maddon goes into next season with an expiring deal.“It’s becoming more common in the game,” Epstein said. “I think you’ve seen it in other places and it hasn’t always led to a big distraction. … The big picture is we haven’t made any determination on that yet.”He also said he hasn’t gotten any indications that Maddon might be interested in managing a different team with a vacancy. Mike Scioscia stepped down after 19 seasons as manager of the Los Angeles Angels, and Maddon was his bench coach on the 2002 championship team.“When we get together and communicate, we’ll discuss anything and everything,” Epstein said.One big topic figures to be how the Cubs move forward after a difficult and frustrating season. While most teams would consider 95 wins and a franchise-record fourth straight playoff appearance a rousing success, it doesn’t quite feel that way for a franchise that for decades was defined by heartache and losing.“I think it’s important for us to be proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish,” Kris Bryant said.The Cubs managed just two runs over 22 innings in losing the tiebreaker and wild-card games, a weak finish for a team that struggled at the plate for a big chunk of the season. Though Javier Baez emerged as an MVP candidate, too many players did not perform the way they expected. Injuries hit the team hard, too.The offense, Epstein said, “broke somewhere along the lines.” Chicago finished fourth in the National League in runs but was held to one or zero in 39 regular-season games. More than anything, the Cubs didn’t have the must-win approach to each game they showed two years ago on the way to the championship.“You learn from losing,” Jon Lester said. “Obviously, that’s not what anybody wants to hear, but I feel like this will be good for us moving forward.”Epstein echoed that, adding he doesn’t see a “fatal flaw” in the clubhouse.He wouldn’t say if there will be coaching changes. But he did say the Cubs need to fix the offense.Having a healthy Bryant would help. The 2016 NL MVP set career lows in games played (102), batting average (.272), home runs (13) and RBIs (52) while making two trips to the disabled list because of inflammation of his left shoulder. Epstein does not think he will need surgery.Epstein also said he “absolutely” wants Cole Hamels back. The Cubs hold a $20 million option on the four-time All-Star who gave the rotation a huge boost following a trade from Texas in late July.