MLB 'Spoilers' That Are Poised to Shake Up the 2014 Pennant Race

Timing is everything when it comes to playing the role of a MLB spoiler. 

Teams not only have to be firing on all cylinders as the season nears its end, but the schedule also has to line up so that those clubs will face off against contenders. From Jorge Soler and the Chicago Cubs to Carlos Santana and the Cleveland Indians, there are players and squads all around the league who are ready to shake up the playoff race.

Cleveland Indians

If not for an ugly 10-17 April, who knows where the Cleveland Indians would stand in the playoff chase. 

While that disastrous start has simply proved too much for the Tribe to overcome, it's still not too late for the club to ruin the October plans of one of its division rivals. The team is set to complete its suspended game with the Kansas City Royals on September 22 at Progressive Field before squaring off in a three-game set that runs through September 24.

Carlos Santana is a player who could just put a dent in the Kansas City's chances of making the club's first postseason appearance since 1985. Dating back to the Midsummer Classic, the switch-hitter owns a .524 slugging percentage and .913 OPS. 

Houston Astros

Jose Altuve has big plans for the Houston Astros in 2015 and beyond. 

"...I know we can be in the playoffs," the second baseman told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com after breaking the franchise's record for the most hits in a single season. "And I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen."

In the closing weeks of the 2014 campaign, Altuve and his teammates will have to settle for spoiling the playoff chances of another AL West club. The Astros, who have posted a better than .500 record since the start of August, face off against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park from September 19-21.

Toronto Blue Jays

It's not looking good for the Toronto Blue Jays.

With just 11 games left in the season, the club is six games out of the No. 2 wild-card spot. For now, general manager Alex Anthopoulos thinks there's still a chance that the squad could land a postseason berth, as he explained, per David Wilson of MLB.com. 

"I don't think it's over yet..."

Even if Toronto's postseason odds are incredibly slim, there's still time to make an impact on how the wild-card race ends upt. Beginning September 22, the Blue Jays host the Seattle Mariners for a four-game series at Rogers Centre.

The M's have excelled, thanks to the dominance of the team's starting staff, but Toronto has the type of bats that could cause problems. Jose Bautista stands out, as the right-handed hitter has clubbed nine home runs in the past month.

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are on the rise.

The National League Central club has a slew of powerful young hitters such as Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler whom they have recently added to the mix. The 22-year-old Soler has gone yard five times and posted a .755 slugging percentage in his first 15 contests. 

The team visits Miller Park the final weekend of the season for a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers. That series will provide Chicago with the chance to crush Milwaukee's chances of landing a wild-card spot.

Chicago White Sox

For the entire season, the AL Central has been a two-team race. 

However, the Chicago White Sox, who are running in fourth place in the division, have the opportunity to play a big part in who claims the top spot. Chicago's final seven games of 2014 will be against the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals. 

Jose Abreu and his teammates take on the Tigers in a three-game series at Comerica Park from September 22-24. The club then closes out the season with four games against the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.

Note: All stats and videos courtesy of MLB.com.

If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.