The Post-Ohtani Era: Blue Jays, Giants, Cubs, And Angels' Road To The Playoffs

David

3 min read

Post on Aug 31, 2025

4.6

Share

The Post-Ohtani Era: Blue Jays, Giants, Cubs, and Angels' Road to the Playoffs

The 2023 MLB trade deadline shook the baseball world, sending two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This seismic shift leaves several teams – notably the Blue Jays, Giants, Cubs, and even the Angels themselves – scrambling to redefine their playoff aspirations in the post-Ohtani era. The race to October is far from over, but the landscape has dramatically changed.

The Toronto Blue Jays: A Familiar Fight

The Blue Jays, perennial contenders, faced a significant blow with Ohtani's departure. While they weren't directly competing for his services, his presence in the AL West lessened the pressure on other teams vying for the Wild Card spots. Now, the Blue Jays face a heightened challenge from teams like the Mariners and Rays, who are just as hungry for a postseason berth. Their path to the playoffs relies heavily on consistent pitching performances from their established starters like Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman, and explosive offense from their core hitters, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Strengthening their bullpen will be crucial in the coming weeks.

San Francisco Giants: A Long Shot, But Not Impossible

The Giants entered the season with relatively low expectations. While they’ve surprised many with their competitiveness, their playoff hopes remain a long shot. They’ll need a remarkable winning streak and some help from other teams faltering. Key to their success will be the continued strong performances from young stars like Logan Webb on the mound and Casey Schmitt at the plate. Their path to October requires a near-perfect finish to the season. The Giants will need to capitalize on weaker opponents and rely on their consistent, if unspectacular, gameplay.

Chicago Cubs: A New Era of Contention?

The Cubs, experiencing a surprising resurgence, find themselves in a much stronger position than initially predicted. The acquisition of Jeimer Candelario and other deadline deals have solidified their lineup and pitching depth. However, their road to the playoffs is far from easy. They face stiff competition within the NL Central and must consistently outperform their rivals. Their young pitching staff needs to mature quickly to handle the pressure of a playoff push. The Cubs’ success hinges on consistent offensive production and the continued development of their young core.

Los Angeles Angels: Rebuilding in the Aftermath

For the Angels, the Ohtani trade marks the start of a rebuilding phase. While they remain mathematically in contention, their focus has shifted towards developing young talent and preparing for the future. This doesn't mean they'll roll over; expect a spirited fight from a team looking to prove their resilience. The Angels will need to focus on solidifying their farm system and making shrewd decisions in the off-season. Their playoff chances are slim, but their future is far from bleak.

The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Opportunity

The post-Ohtani era presents a unique challenge and opportunity for these four teams. The absence of the two-way phenom has reshaped the playoff picture, creating a more unpredictable and exciting race to October. These teams will need to leverage their strengths, address their weaknesses, and consistently outperform expectations to secure their place in the postseason. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining who emerges as a true contender. Keep an eye on their performance, and you might just witness some incredible baseball in the final stretch of the regular season!