After a long 162-game season, fans from all over the country have been waiting to get questions answered about the MLB Postseason.  Will Dodgers veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw break out of his playoff slump and finally win a championship with the historic LA Dodgers? Will Miami Marlins outfielder, Giancarlo Stanton best Barry Bonds’ record with the most homeruns in one season?

This year has been a gift to many teams, like the Cleveland Indians, who won 22 straight games this past month? And for others like the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres losing more than 100 games already. Only time will tell to see who will be crowned the 2017 champion. In the meantime, lets see how other teams can find a way into the postseason.

AL East

1. Boston Red Sox- Key Players: SS Xander Bogaerts, OF Mookie Betts, P Craig Kimbrel

Playoff Outlook: The Red Sox have the greatest offense attack of the entire MLB. Consistency is the big word here because they haven’t been to a world series in four years. Their pitching is going to have to be better in the postseason.

2. New York Yankees- Key Players: SS Didi Gregorius, RF Aaron Judge, P Jordan Montgomery

Playoff Outlook: Even though the Yankees are three games back from the top spot in the East,  the team is still looking for their “team” heading into the playoffs. Don’t be surprised if the Yanks get eliminated in the first or second round.

AL West

1. Houston Astros- Key Players: CF George Springer, DH Evan Gattis, P Lance McCullers Jr.

Playoff Outlook: One word: Injuries. From one the best hitters on their team, Evan Gattis, to the smartest short-stops in the league, Carlos Correa, this team is used to injuries before. This Astro team has already clinched the AL West, but the next step is to get their first championship since ‘05.

1. The Los Angeles Angels- Key Players: OF Mike Trout, CF Ben Revere, P Huston Street

Playoff Outlook: The addition of Dexter Fowler from The Cubs helped the Angles with some offensive and defensive push for the postseason, if they make it. The one thing the Angels need to work on is pitching. The Angels are currently fighting for a wild-card spot in which they are a few games out.

AL Central

1. Cleveland Indians: Key Players- DH Edwin Encarnacion, P Corey Kluber, Infielder Francisco Lindor

Playoff Outlook: With the recent 22-game winning streak, this Cleveland Indian team doesn’t seem like it’s slowing down.  This team is also a heavy defense team. In my opinion, with veteran hitters Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana on this team, the Cleveland Indians are a lock for the World Series for the second straight year.

1. Minnesota Twins: Key Players- OF Byron Buxton, IF Miguel Sano, P Ervin Santana

Playoff Outlook: The Minnesota Twins are on the cusp of the wild card spot just before the Angels. With tough games left against the Yankees and Indians, the Twins will have to get their bats swinging to get hot heading into the playoffs.

NL East

1. Washington Nationals: Key Players- OF Bryce Harper, P Max Scherzer, IF Daniel Murphy.

Playoff Outlook- With multiple suspensions on the year for the National players, it is extremely hard to get back on track for the postseason. Max Scherzer, one of the best pitchers in the entire league, will definitely have an impact with extra help on the superb offense. The Nationals have already clinched the division, so they have to get ready for an exciting postseason.

1. Miami Marlins: Key Players- IF Dee Gordon, IF Justin Bour, OF Giancarlo Stanton

Playoff Outlook- In the grand scheme of things, as long as the Miami Marlins keep winning, they can be a lock for the playoffs. This is one of the closest divisions in the league, so winning is vital for each team. You would think they would run the table, but you never know because it’s the Miami Marlins. One word for them to get into the playoffs: Consistency.

NL Central

1. Chicago Cubs: Key Players- 2B Javier Baez, C Willson Contreras, P Jon Lester

Playoff Outlook- With all the pitching they can get from Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks, this team can be the sleeper in this postseason. They may not have the star power as they had last year, but this team is still built on defense and defense only. The Cubs only have a four game lead on the Brewers, so they will need to get their offense going if they want to clinch the central.

2. Milwaukee Brewers: Key Players- OF Ryan Braun, IF Eric Thames, P Zach Davies

Playoff Outlook: This dangerous team can wreak some havoc in the NL wild card race because this team can win in bunches at the right time. The one thing the Brewers need to fix in the offseason is pitching. The defense gives up at least five runs per game all this season. All I can say to the Brewers is good luck getting into the playoffs.

NL West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers: Key Players- P Clayton Kershaw, IF Corey Seager, P, Yu Darvish.

Playoff Outlook: Many people conclude that the Dodgers are going to win the World Series this year no question, but after their recent skid and Cleveland’s streak, this will be a very interesting postseason. The most unique concept going into the last third of the season; how will Yu Darvish and the offense come around with the recent struggles in the past. Only time will tell if the LA team will win a ship.

1. Arizona Diamondbacks: Key Players- IF Paul Goldschmidt, P Zack Greinke, IF Jake Lamb.

Playoff Outlook: This year is all about keeping Zack Greinke and Paul Goldschmidt healthy. With 9.5 games back, the D-Backs have a lot of work to do to get into the postseason. This Arizona team is the youngest, but scariest, because they have multiple players that can play anywhere. Watch out for the D-Backs this postseason.  

The 2017-2018 postseason will start Oct. 5th with many all-stars included to make their name known to the world. Rookies Cody Bellinger, Andrew Benintendi and Aaron Judge will try to wow the veterans under the bright lights of the playoffs.  In the end, there will only be one champion that will, in my opinion, dethrone the Cubs from last year.

Keep up with game schedules here: http://m.mlb.com/postseason-schedule