By Mike Corasaniti

We are now more than a third into the baseball season, and that can only mean one thing: it's time to get a little ahead of ourselves. Of course there's a whole lot more baseball to play, but if the season ended today, which team would make it to the Fall Classic for a shot at the title? Season's Over takes a look at five of the most intriguing possibilities.

Washington Nationals vs. Baltimore Orioles

Beltway Series baby! Yes, the franchise formerly known as Montreal hasn't made the playoffs since moving to D.C., and it's been a while since the O's have made their mark, but what better way to take this still-young rivalry to the next level than with a World Series matchup? Plus, sticking with our theme of "if the season ended today," these are obviously two of the strongest teams in baseball. Adam Jones is killing it with the bat (including a 12th inning walk-off last week against the Phils) and Bryce Harper is looking to be one of the best youngsters thrown into the majors. A lot of things about this matchups would simply be just so cool. Hopefully the Birds can get a pitcher that hurls a little bit like Strasburg to add into the mix, then things could really get interesting.

Atlanta Braves vs. Tampa Bay Rays

There's the Bulldogs-Gators rivalry for college football, Falcons-Buccaneers for the NFC South, and now the whole Atlanta-Florida tension is moving to baseball. If the season ended today, these two five seeds would have to go through quite a bit to get to each other. But the more I think about these two teams meeting up in late October, the more I think I'd like to see it happen. As of today, the Braves would just miss the playoffs, but think about it: who is more fun to watch this season then the up and down and up and down Atlanta Braves? Squeezing into the playoffs as a five seed (that, if in existence a year ago, would have erased so much heartbreak) to face the best Wild Card team in a coon's age, well, wouldn't it just be a special, albeit random matchup.

San Francisco Giants vs. Texas Rangers

The last thing the Texas Rangers want is to start being related to the Buffalo Bills. And wouldn't it be nice to nip any of that in the bud by beating the Edgar Rentería-led Giants that stopped the Mighty Arlington Machine in their first run at a title? Well, Edgar might be gone, but this rematch would still be pretty sweet. But what makes it even sweeter is that, if the season indeed ended today, San Francisco is heating up at the perfect time and the Rangers are finally showing signs of being human. Hammy and the boys would definitely provide another at least entertaining series, and with Big Pablo Sandoval returning to the lineup, imagine a bang-bang series between these two.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox

What, you're not beyond hyped for the first World Series matchup between these two teams since 1919? It was the year of the Black Sox people! Well if I was Cincinnati I'd sure as hell enjoy a shot at beating the team that "let" me win the first time around. Obviously, a century later, some of the players have changed. But swap Shoeless Joe for Adam Dunn and Edd Roush (I had to Google it) for Joey Votto and it would still be one heck of a series. Chris Sale and Jake Peavy (remember him?) are lights out on the mound, which could provide trouble for a team that can't produce much more beyond Votto and Jay Bruce. But with the Big Red Machine back in October action and Aroldis Chapman on the mound (ignoring his most recent struggles), don't count out Cincinnati in any close playoff game. 

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees

It's been more than 30 years since the two fabled clubs have met for the title, but in case you forgot, they've seen each other in the Series 11 times (including four times since the Blue Crew moved to LA). The Dodgers were stifled last week in a freak no-hitter accident in Seattle, but are still undeniably the hottest team in baseball. Matt Kemp is still sidelined thanks to a hamstring injury, but the team is still cruising along thanks in no small part to NL RBI leader and new extension-signer signed Andre Ethier. But if the Dodger train rode through the hypothetical playoffs and into the Bronx this hypothetical October, there would be quite the pitching staff there to greet them (See: the born-again Andy Pettitte). Because I'm a sucker for history, this matchup would easily be the juiciest series for me. And between the machine that is the LA offense and the near-100 homers the Bombers have so far this season (which leads the majors), this should be the juiciest for anyone.

By Mike Corasaniti

I may be getting ahead of myself. 

After all, if the season ended today, the Pittsburgh Pirates would indeed be NL Central champs for the first time ever (the Bucs were NL East champs in '92), but they would be put against the Washington Nationals in a 3 out of 5 who just swept the daylights out of Boston this series. And even if they could get by the Nats, they would more than likely be rewarded with LA, who just doesn't seem to be losing very much these days en route to a major league-leading 39 wins.

But hey, this is the Pirates, and who can't get excited by a team two decades removed from October making a comeback? And this is the metaphoricla playoffs we're talking about: anything can happen!

But for "the-Bucs-still-have-a-ton-to-prove" sake, I'll take this angle: if the Pirates were to be the Dark Horse of these playoffs and get by the one or two teams, how would they do it?

• Behind one of the biggest momentums in the game right now after winning 12 out of 15 which, as MLB.com's Tom Singer describes, is the club's "best 15-game stretch in nearly a decade."
• With one of the most electrifying young (if we can still call him "young") in Andrew McCutchen, who most recently drove in all three runs in the Pirate's 3-2 win over the Royals Sunday which clinched a Pittsburgh sweep.
• By closing out any near games with Joel Hanrahan in the ninth inning. If you haven't heard of him, he has 17 saves on the season, including eight along with two wins since May 21.
• With the quickly improving rotation that includes a revitalized A.J. Burnett (who just held a no-hitter into the sixth on Sunday) and James McDonald (who's 2.39 ERA ranks Top 5 in the NL).

For the rest of the season, the Pirates will have to do a lot to keep the dream of a playoff appearance in tact. Part of that includes finding a stable infield. A bigger part of that simply includes holding off Joey Votto and the Reds. But if they can stay half as hot as they have been these past two weeks and figure out how to supply consistent runs with people who's names aren't McCutchen, then the Pirates could indeed be the metaphorical Dark Horse in today's version of the metaphorical playoffs.

By Mike Corasaniti

It was October 11, 2010. Game 4 of the NLDS. Juan Uribe and Cody Ross both drove in runs in the top of the seventh inning off of Braves relievers Peter Moylan and Johnny Venters, putting the Giants up 3-2. The Giants would go on to win the game, Bobby Cox would go on to salute the crowd as his last game as skipper, and San Francisco would go on to win the World Series in five games.

Now, if the season ended today, these two squads would meet in an NL Wild Card match that barely one predicted (or continues to predict will actually come to existence). But say the Boys from the Bay and their unlikely trio of heros lately meet up with the streaky Braves, who would come out on top to face the "Mighty" Dodgers? Let's take a look:

The Braves are the most bipolar team in baseball at the moment. Winners of five straight after dropping 9 of 11 (including eight straight), Atlanta is somehow on top of the Wild Card race and a single game outside of first place for the National League. Martin Prado has been leading the team with his bat, Dan Uggla looks to be earning an All-Star spot with his bat, and Jason Heyward, despite a mediocre season at the plate, is still showing good signs as being the future of this team. If Craig Kimbrel (who happens to have 17 saves) can keep helping the Braves close out games and start helping the Braves close out games consistently again, this team could be dangerous.

The Giants aren't surprising too many people by being in the playoff picture, but it is a surprise by just how they're doing it. Remember Melky Cabrera? He's batting .364 (though injured at the moment). Remember Angel Pagan? He now owns San Francisco's franchise record for home hitting streak. And remember Gregor Blanco? Well, maybe not, but he's coming alive batting almost .500 with two homers in six doubles in his last three games. And with a pair of 7-game winners and one of the sturdiest pens in the game, San Fran would be a tough team to conquer.

Matchup: The Giants haven't been shut out all season except for last night, so don't expect the Braves to make it too much of a pitcher's duel. The Giants will probably score first, and it would be 50/50 if the Braves could solve Vogelsong or Bumgarner or whoever the G-Men have in their arsenal. If, literally, the season ended today, I can see the Braves going hard in the later innings and not even making it close. But if after 162 games these 2 teams meet, I don't see the Braves getting to the second round, even with home-field. Giants 1-0

By Mike Corasaniti

The Yankees are back to their old ways as of late winning eight of 11 in sometimes grand fashion. If Grandpa Jeter (who could very well win a batting title this season at age 37) can keep leading the Bomber's offensive pop, they would be one of the toughest outs in any fantasy postseason matchup. And no Mo? No problem – so far – as closer Rafael Soriano has been solid with the team's best and only ERA under two.

The Orioles have been one of the hardest teams to watch this past week and a half, winning just two out of their last 10 games and losing Nick Markakis to the DL. But what would make today's version of the one-game playoff interesting is simply the drama of it. The O's, going on about a decade and a half away from the postseason, have been third and fourth and fifth banana in the AL East for too long for any proud franchise to enjoy. And now, ITSET, the one-game Wild Card playoff would be played at the Yards, which could mean quite a lot.

Matchup – It's been a long time coming for Baltimore and it's fans who haven't seen October baseball since the Indians bounced them in the '97 ALCS, and it's a hostile environment when the Yankees come to town. Adam Jones gives the Birds the lead early with an RBI single, but New York keeps it interesting with an A-Rod homer in the later innings. New York is hot and, quite frankly, the better team heading into the game ITSET. But it's going to take a lot to beat a Baltimore team drooling over the possibilities of the ALDS, and the Yankees abysmal batting average with runners in scoring postion comes back to haunt them when they leave two stranded in the top of the ninth to give the Birds the win. Orioles 1-0

By Mike Corasaniti

This team is not supposed to be here.

They lost Reyes. They're plagued with injuries. And they're bullpen sucks...right?

If indeed the regular season ended today, these New York Mets would be the first NL Wild Card team, earning themselves Season's Over's first ever Dark Horse of the Week (DHoW) Award. They currently have the same record (31-23) as the Miami Marlins with whom they are in a three-way tie for first place with also the Washington Nationals (30-22). Logistically, the Nationals would be the No. 2 seed (and NL East champs thanks to a better division record) and the Marlins would have to travel to Queens for the one-game Wild Card playoff game. But the story here is the Mets. And why is that?

• More than 50 games into the season, the team picked to finish dead last is in a three-way tie for first.
• Johan Santana just threw the first no-hitter in Mets history...in case you didn't hear.
• They are on the verge of a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, against whom them have allowed one run over three games so far.
• ITSET, they are going into the playoffs winning seven of their last ten and with one of the hottest rotations in baseball.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but really, how can you count this team out right now? Besides the Dodgers (who the Mets would be facing in the first round), there isn't anyone else really standing too much in the way of the Mets right now if the playoffs started tomorrow. David Wright has one of the best bats in baseball, almost every guy that steps foot on the mound is lights out right now, and every guy they call up from AAA plays better than the guy he replaced.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but imagine the Mets taking the first two games at home from the Dodgers in the NLDS. If they can get that done, which would be easier for them ITSET, then there isn't much hope for Dodgertown to win three straight even in LA. The next round would leave either the Nationals or Reds who are playing nowhere near New York's level right now.

Yes, it's the Mets. And they could very well be nothing more than a footnote a week from now. But right now, ITSET, they could be one of the most dangerous teams in all of baseball.

By Mike Corasaniti

The White Sox are solidifying their place as one of the hottest teams in baseball, as they have been for the past three weeks. Their offensive power is getting scary with the likes of Adam Dunn and Gordan Beckham heating up. And have you heard of lefty Chis Sale yet? Because he just went 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA over the last 30 days to earn AL Pitcher of the Month status for May.

The Rays just took two out of three from the reeling O's to claim sole possession of first place in the AL East for the first time since May 9. Most of that can be attributed to the brilliant pitching by Matt Moore and David Price. Add in some more offensive pop from people like Hideki Matsui (who belted a two-run homer in Friday's win) and first place should become familiar to Tampa.

Matchup – Chicago ended May with a three-game sweep down in St. Pete thanks in large part to awesome pitching and another two-run Godzilla blast. ITSET, their would be no sweep in this intriguing second-round matchup. The White Sox blow them out in Game 1 and attempt to do the same two days later but the Rays come back and steal it with a walk-off Matsui double in the tenth. After returning to Chicago, the Sox pitching closes out the series with two straight one-run wins. In short, Tampa has the firepower right now to make it interesting, possibly even win two,  but the Sox would be riding too much heat right now to go down. White Sox 3-1

By Mike Corasaniti

Wild Card: No. 5 Cleveland Indians/New York Yankees at No. 4 Tampa Bay Rays

Everything is a little shaky in the seeding department right now with Cleveland and New York sharing the same record (27-23) and Tampa Bay and Baltimore being tied atop the AL East with the White Sox at the same mark (all three teams are at 29-22). But Birdland took two out of three from the Rays in May (giving Tampa the four spot) as well as two out of three from Chicago in April (putting the White Sox at No. 3), so for logistics sake the Orioles are No. 2. 

Match-up: As far as the Wild Card goes, ITSET, the Rays wouldn't be stopped by either the Yankees or Indians, so the five spot doesn't really matter. Rays 1-0

ALDS: No. 3 Chicago White Sox at No. 2 Baltimore Orioles

After winning 12 out of their last 13, the White Sox (29-22) are sitting pretty atop the AL Central as one of the hottest teams in baseball. With eight straight wins under their belt, a lot of their winning ways can be credited to left fielder Dayan Viciedo who has 13 RBI in their current streak. As some of the teams they've played in the past few weeks aren't exactly top of the crop (Twins, Cubs, etc.), the Chi Sox are still a team that needs to prove themselves, but so is the team they'd be facing in this hypothetical division series.

To say that the Orioles (29-22) are the surprise of the season so far is an understatement, but it unfortunately seems like their time in first place is running out (13 losses in May sure didn't help). But with their three-game series at Tampa Bay looming, Baltimore still has some hope to hang on for a playoff spot. They will need Adam Jones (not to be confused with Pacman) to keep slugging and Jason Hammel to keep killing it on the mound, but if they do, don't count on the Birds to be going away any time soon.

Match-up: The White Sox have the tools to make a playoff run, the Orioles would need to spend a few more weeks near the top of the division to prove that they do too. White Sox 3-1


ALDS: No. 4 Tampa Bay Rays at No. 1 Texas Rangers

Want to guess who leads the league in all four major offensive categories? Hint: it's not the Astros. The Rangers (31-20), led by Josh Hamilton and his 21 homes runs, are absolutely killing the ball. And with Nelson Cruz getting his swing back, this team is starting to look like it's scary self. If it's pitching staff can keep performing behind Yu Darvish, it doesn't seem like the boys from Arlington will have any problem "Cruz-ing" past whatever team ends up winning the Wild Card.

Match-up: Rays, Orioles, Yankees, no matter who is thrown at Texas the first round, it won't even be close. Rangers 3-0


ALCS: No. 3 Chicago White Sox at No. 1 Texas Rangers

Chicago is hot, exploding on offense, and is enjoying some nice consistency from it's pitching staff, which really would help them ITSET. But whenever Texas is involved in a prediction, my job is going to stay pretty easy.

Match-up: Even if Hamilton's bat goes cold, Darvish starts giving up a ton of runs, and Nelson Cruz can't find the swing that has made him such a force, it's going to take a lot to stop this team from winning it's third straight pennant. Rangers 4-1

By Mike Corasaniti

Wild Card: No. 5 New York Mets at No. 4 Miami Marlins

The Mets (28-23) are not supposed to be anywhere near a  playoff discussion, let alone anywhere near .500. Yet, thanks to a monster April and May from David Wright and Daniel Murphy, the Amazin's are only a game and a half behind first-place Washington. But things won't last in Queens unless the rest of the lineup continues to pick up the offensive slack when the stars cool down and, more importantly, the bullpen wakes up and stops blowing games.

The Marlins (29-22) are on absolutely on fire. How's that? In all of May, the Fish only had the best record in the majors by going 21-8 and didn't lose a single series (including a solid three-game sweep of the Nats). Behind a tough rotation and the ridiculous bat of Mike, sorry, Giancarlo Stanton, Miami right now looks like a tough out in any series.

Match-up: It's becoming increasingly difficult to count the Mets out of anything these days, but ITSET, I see New York heading down to Miami, grabbing a three-run lead, and then blowing it when Stanton sends a bases loaded jack into South Beach in the bottom of the eighth. Marlins 1-0


NLDS: No. 3 Cincinnati Reds at No. 2 Washington Nationals

The Reds (28-22) just dropped two out of three to Pittsburgh–never a good thing–but won or split their five previous series including two out of three from the Yanks and a four-game sweep of Atlanta. Leading the rotation so far for Cincy has been starter Johnny Cueto, who's 5-3 record is misleading to say the least. And when the bat's in their hands, the Reds don't seem to have much trouble scoring runs with Joey Votto (.424 in the last time games) in the lineup.

When you look at the NL East, it's hard for anyone to say they expected the Nationals (29-21) to be sitting in first by a half game. This is even harder to comprehend when you look at some of Washington's offensive rankings across the league (26th in runs scored, 23rd in batting average), but then you take a gander at their pitching stats and the world starts to make sense again. The Washington Nationals ranks 1st in the league in ERA, WHIP, and opponents batting average. In short, with freak of nature Stephen Strasburg leading the way, the Nats have the best pitching staff in league right now.

Match-up: The Reds are good but inconsistent at this point and ITSET, it would be near impossible to beat a team with that good a pitching staff in that short a series. Nationals 3-1


NLDS: No. 4 Miami Marlins at No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers

As with Washington, they key to success for the Dodgers (32-19) lies with their pitching staff. With superstar Matt Kemp battling injury after injury, Chris Capuano (who goes for win No. 8 tonight against Colorado) has led the rotation to earn the 2nd best team ERA and opponents batting average in the league. The team is coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers but still hold a one-game lead over the Rangers for the league's best record. If they can redeem themselves by performing well on their upcoming 10-game road trip, then this team should continue to be feared.

Match-up: The Marlins stays fired up from their dramatic win over New York and takes the first two games in Miami. LA is just too good at home though, and ITSET, they have no problem advancing. Dodgers 3-2


NLCS: No. 2 Washington Nationals at No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers

If this series actually comes to existence (which depends mostly on whether or not the Nationals really are the team they claim to be playing as), it would be one of the coolest match-ups possible. I wouldn't bet too hard on it happening this year, but I have a very good feeling that these two teams are going to meet deep in the playoffs many times in the years to come. The pitching staffs are just too good to not hold together solid teams for at least a couple seasons.

Match-up: With the pitching staffs in an apparent deadlock for dominance, this series could very well come down to whose bats are hotter, which could very well come down to the health of Matt Kemp. If he's not swinging the bat well, I can imagine Bryce Harper being the offensive story of the series. But more than likely, with a more well-rounded lineup, the Dodgers muscle through and win their first pennant since '88. Dodgers 4-2