Can these six teams make it back to the playoffs?

Remember when 16 teams made the postseason last year? It was crazy, right? This year the usual 10 advance. But that means at least six outfits will step back in 2021. There will probably be more. It’s not fair to think that way: It really isn’t a setback if they eliminate six playoff spots. But when you’re a fan, what matters is: “Last year we qualified and this year we didn’t. We went back ”. In the end, you play in October or not.

So today we will look at six teams that made the playoffs last year and are currently on their way out, based on Fangraphs ranking percentages. We will see what has gone wrong and what they could do to set the course straight. Six places down is a considerable thing.

We will not include the Cubs (37.7%) and Blue Jays (24.2%) among the teams that qualified last year, but do not have a percentage above 50% to advance in 2021.

Here the teams from smallest to largest.

What has gone wrong?: It’s a bit of a surprise that the Marlins, who made the NL Division Series last year, are last on this list. But a sweep in a four-game series brought Miami into the division pit; 10 games behind the Mets, with three teams in the middle. It must be very frustrating, considering that they are one of two teams in the East of the National with a positive race differential.

How to solve it?: The Marlins probably weren’t focused on this year anyway, with all the young talent they have on the farms, but you can tell they’ve started to push forward after being promoted to their fifth-best prospect, the Dominican. Jesús Sánchez, this week. The patrolman may not be ready for the majors, but it makes sense to start showing results. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. and all those talented pitchers, the Marlins are a long way from coming back this year. They are learning to win.

Prediction: There is no postseason. But I predict that they will not be the last in the division at the end of the season.

What has gone wrong?: A lot of. The injuries have mounted – Byron Buxton was having an MVP season before being disqualified – but the real nightmare has been pitching, which has collapsed. This team had a .600 winning average in the past two years. They’re lucky if they finish .400 this season. A total debacle.

How to solve it?: This needs to improve. How can this team be two games behind the Tigers, a team that is clearly in the middle of rebuilding? The Twins have to improve. They are very talented. They are 16 games away from first place until June 17. The question is not if they will come back, but if they will start selling players.

Prediction: They won’t finish last, but I think we can say that the postseason slump will not end this year.

What has gone wrong?: The Cardinals’ biggest concern before the season was with the lineup, specifically the outfield, but the main problem has been with the pitching. Injuries have affected them, with Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, Kwang Hyun Kim (who is back) and Jordan Hicks losing time. Adam Wainwright is left alone.

How to solve it?: The sweeps on two consecutive weekends against their divisional rivals Red and Cubs were a low point, but they have been slowly recovering. They have promoted two games in two days and Kim looked good on Tuesday. Still, the rotation needs help, but who doesn’t need more pitching? The offense will have to carry this team, and the offense certainly doesn’t seem capable of carrying anything.

Prediction: There are no favorites in this division, but the Cardinals haven’t been this short on pitching in more than a decade.

_What has gone wrong ?: _Remember last year that we wondered how they were in first place despite having a rotation that was falling apart? Well, this year it has taken a toll on them. Drew Smyly has struggled again, Max Fried has stepped back, and even Charlie Morton has staggered. Ian Anderson has been the only reliable one and now that Huáscar Ynoa is injured, the bullpen has failed again. The injury and consequent arrest of the Dominican Marcell Ozuna took him off an offense that has been solid, but not impressive.

_How to fix it ?: “_More pitching” is the common answer, but here it is obvious. Cole Hamels couldn’t last year, but maybe he deserves another shot. It will be difficult to fix the rotation and bullpen in time to catch up with the Mets.

Prediction: They’ll finish above .500, but even if the Mets stumble, the Braves won’t be able to catch up.

What has gone wrong?: Well not so much. They have a better win percentage than last year. But that’s thanks to a recent streak that has taken them to third place in the division. Injuries have been a problem, but the main fault is in the bullpen.

How to solve it?: The relievers have to be the priority, particularly now that Luis Castillo seems to be slowly picking up his form. Sonny Gray’s injury puts pressure on the rotation. It seems that the Reds already passed the worst.

Prediction: Of all the teams on the list, Cincinnati is the most likely to win its division.

What has gone wrong?: Just five pitchers have made five or more starts in the year. Only one, Aaron Civale, is currently in the rotation. Shane Bieber hasn’t been absent for long, but this has always been the team’s forte. Now it is not.

How to solve it?: Cleveland doesn’t look like a team that will go out to make big changes, it just needs its healthy starters and hope that Jose Ramirez has an incredible four months. But they surely can’t catch up with the White Sox.

Prediction: They will be fighting for the Wild Card all year, but they will fall short.

.