Post-Trade Deadline Landscape: Contenders and the Fringes

As the 2025 trade deadline passes, the line between playoff contenders and those on the outside looking in becomes increasingly clear. Heading into September, FanGraphs indicates that 15 teams—eight from the American League and seven from the National League—still hold at least a 10% chance of reaching the postseason. Among these, three franchises will inevitably see their season end in disappointment, while the rest vie for playoff contention.

Teams Still in the Hunt

The Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics both won their respective series last week, but their playoff hopes are clouded at best as they linger in the standings with one eye on the 2026 season. The Twins, currently 5.5 games back, face a steep climb to re-enter the wild-card race.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals, after a "soft buy" at the deadline, have a favorable remaining schedule ahead, presenting them a prime opportunity to gain momentum against weaker opponents like the Nationals and White Sox.

Recent Struggles among Wild-Card Contenders

Teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers have seen better days; both currently hold declining win records in their last 10 games, casting further doubt on their playoff prospects. The New York Mets are also struggling, having suffered a significant drop in the standings after losing 11 out of their last 12 games.

Teams on the Rise and Fall

The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers, however, have made notable gains, with the Guardians boasting a 9-3 record over their last 12 games—elevating their standing in the playoff race.

Yet, amidst the competitive environment, the Milwaukee Brewers continue to dominate the NL Central, extending their winning streak to nine games, solidifying their position as the team to beat in the upcoming playoff landscape.

Hitter and Pitcher of the Week

This week's standout player is Shea Langeliers from the Athletics, boasting impressive stats of 10-for-27 with 4 home runs and 7 RBIs. Not far behind, Texas Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi shone as the Pitcher of the Week after a dominating eight-inning shutout performance against the Yankees.