2014 team playoff previews: Capsules, analysis for all 10 teams
The regular season is over, and the postseason is here. Ten teams emerged after 162 games to claim playoff spots, including the four that will face off in the two win-or-go-home Wild-Card Games. What will happen next? To find out, we broke down and analyzed all 10 teams, picking out their strengths and weaknesses and figuring out how they got from Opening Day to the postseason. Below, you'll find a capsule for each of the AL and NL playoff teams, including the wild-card entrants. Get ready for the playoffs with our handy and in-depth guide to the franchises that will be fighting it out for the championship. (Click on the team name or photo to read the full capsule.)
• 2014 MLB postseason schedule: Start times and TV listings
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. Detroit Tigers
They stumbled into the playoffs, but few teams can boast a lineup or rotation as dangerous as Detroit.
. Kansas City Royals
The 29-year postseason drought is over, but can the Royals stick around long enough to make a run?
. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels were the AL's best team, but can they carry their hot streak into October?
. Los Angeles Dodgers
Is having the best pitcher in baseball and a dynamic lineup enough for the NL West champions?
. Oakland Athletics
Can the A's shake off their horrible second-half slump and finally advance in the postseason?
. Pittsburgh Pirates
Last season's playoff surprise returns with a better offense and a formidable 1-2 punch in the rotation.
. San Francisco Giants
The second wild-card team faces arguably the toughest road of all 10 squads to a championship.
. St. Louis Cardinals
The defending National League champions have the experience, but do they have the offense?
. Washington Nationals
Led by Stephen Strasburg, the NL's top team looks primed to make a deep push into the playoffs.
