It doesn't happen every year, but some slow-starting teams are able to turn an extended hot streak into a playoff appearance. The 2005 Astros, 2007 Yankees and 2007 Rockies had three of the most memorable late-season surges in recent memory. This year, many teams are unsure whether they'll make a playoff run or deal some parts away in hopes of better teams to come. Here's a rundown of those teams:
- White Sox – Just 4.0 games out of the Central
- Royals - Thanks to a strong rotation, they're just 4.5 games back of the division lead
- Indians - For all of their struggles, they're still within 6.5 games of the Tigers
- Mariners – Two games under .500 and 5.5 behind the Rangers
- A's - Now 9.0 games behind Texas
- Marlins - Ony 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race
- Astros - 4.5 games back of the Wild Card leading Cardinals
- Pirates - Tied with the Astros in a surprisingly tight NL Central
- Rockies – Their streak's over, but they're just 3.5 games behind the Cardinals
The question is: which one of these teams, if any, can turn themselves from potential sellers into buyers with a memorable late-season surge?
