5 MLB Spoilers That Are Poised to Shake Up the 2015 Pennant Races

Down the stretch we come! Just over two weeks separate MLB contenders from coveted postseason berths.

The finish line may be in sight, but there's still plenty of time for teams with playoff aspirations to slip up. Over the next few slides, we'll identify five squads across baseball that are the most likely to play spoiler.

Our selections are based off a combination of two elements: games remaining against contenders (obviously) and how well a potential spoiler has played in recent weeks. The teams on this list may have losing records overall, but each is playing over .500 ball in September.

Seeing as many of the races are still relatively unsettled, most of these spoilers come from the American League. The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles will have their say in which team wins the AL East, while the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners can each dictate where teams like the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins finish in the standings.

It's much more cut-and-dry in the Senior Circuit, although we still need some clarity in the NL Central. That final result will depend on how all three playoff-bound teams deal with the Cincinnati Reds over the final weeks.

Let us know what you think about our spoiler choices. Can these teams really affect playoff races across MLB? Do any of these teams worry you more than others?

We've enjoyed a fantastic 2015 MLB season, but it's not finished yet. Let's find out which unexpected teams can provide us with a few more twists and turns.

Baltimore Orioles

Associated Press

Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Manny Machado are not a trio Yankees and Blue Jays pitchers want to see come to the plate down the stretch.

September Record: 8-6

Remaining Schedule: TB (4), WAS (3), BOS (3), TOR (4), NYY (3)

Over the last few weeks, the Toronto Blue Jays have been able to open up a slight lead over the New York Yankees.

What does that have to do with the Baltimore Orioles? The O's dropped two of three from the Blue Jays earlier this month before taking a three-game set from the Yankees in the following series. It may only be a game's difference, but in a race that figures to come down to the wire, one game matters.

Baltimore will be in the national spotlight over the last week of the season. The Orioles finish 2015 with seven games against the Blue Jays and Yankees. More importantly, both series will be held at Camden Yards.

The O's can still do damage, especially offensively. Manny Machado (.290, 29 HR), Chris Davis (42 HR, 107 RBI) and Adam Jones (27 HR) are capable of carrying the offense over a two-week period. Baltimore's starting pitching is up-and-down, but Zach Britton and Darren O'Day won't let many leads slip if given the opportunity to close out games.

Plus, Baltimore isn't totally out of the playoff race. As of this writing, the O's are just 5.5 games out of the second AL wild-card spot.

A talented team with something left to play for? That's a dangerous storm both the Yankees and Blue Jays will have to overcome in order to win the division.

Boston Red Sox

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Mookie Betts and the Red Sox offense can score enough runs to alter the landscape of the AL East.

September Record: 8-6

Remaining Schedule: TOR (3), TB (4), BAL (3), NYY (4), CLE (3)

Sure, Boston Red Sox fans wish 2015 would have gone differently. After all, Boston is in last place in the AL East and has one of the worst records in the American League. 

But, Red Sox fans, there could be a silver lining after all. Over the next few weeks, Boston can spoil its rivals' seasons by affecting their playoff positioning. The Red Sox can start with a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend and will have another opportunity later this month with four games against the New York Yankees. 

Boston's struggles in 2015 can be attributed to a horrible starting rotation, but the offense can still score. Mookie Betts (.288 BA, 15 HR) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (.268, 8 HR in 57 games) have injected the lineup with speed, power and excitement. 

Again, the AL East figures to be one of the closest races at the end of the season. Every game from here on out is important, and the Red Sox have the talent to seriously damage each team's chances. 

Cincinnati Reds

Associated Press

The Reds can make life tough on their NL Central foes down the stretch.

September Record: 8-8

Remaining Schedule: MIL (3), STL (3), NYM (4), WAS (1), CHC (3), PIT (3)

Although the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs are all playoff-bound, the final standings in the National League Central have yet to be determined. 

There are plenty of factors that will determine where each team finishes, but here's an unexpected one: the last-place Cincinnati Reds. Cincinnati has a series left against each NL Central contender, including six games to close the season against the Cubs and Pirates. 

When those teams face the Reds, handling Joey Votto (.313/.460/.551, 27 HR) and Todd Frazier (34 HR) will be vital to success. Votto is quietly putting together an MVP-caliber season, while Frazier ranks fourth in the NL in homers.

Cincinnati already altered the landscape of the division last week. The Reds won four of five against the Cardinals last weekend, which allowed the Pirates and even the Cubs to close the gap. If the Reds can replicate that play down the stretch, the NL Central and wild card will come down to the wire. 

Cleveland Indians

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Nobody strikes out more hitters than Corey Kluber and the rest of the Cleveland staff.

September Record: 8-6

Remaining Schedule: KC (1), CHW (3), MIN (3), KC (3), MIN (4), BOS (3)

If the Cleveland Indians put together their best week of 2015, the second AL wild-card spot is still in play. But even if they don't, Cleveland's starting pitching talent can derail a contender's season. 

Indians starters rank 10th in MLB in ERA, but no staff has nastier stuff. Cleveland is tops in MLB in strikeouts per nine innings and has fanned nearly 24 percent of the batters its faced. Carlos Carrasco (fifth), Corey Kluber (sixth), Danny Salazar (eighth) and Trevor Bauer (22nd) all rank among MLB's top 25 in K/9.

Cleveland isn't as potent offensively, but the lineup has a handful of players capable of making a difference. Jason Kipnis (.371 OBP), Michael Brantley (15 HR, .385 OBP) and Francisco Lindor (.317 BA, 9 HR in 82 G) are among some of the toughest outs in the league. 

The Indians have four games left against the Kansas City Royals but can really disrupt the Minnesota Twins' dream season. Cleveland presents an undesirable matchup for a Twins offense that ranks in the top 10 in strikeout percentage this season. 

Seattle Mariners

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Robinson Cano's hot bat has transformed the middle of the Seattle lineup.

September Record: 10-5

Remaining Schedule: TEX (3), KC (3), LAA (3), HOU (3), OAK (3)

The Seattle Mariners may have underachieved for the majority of 2015, but a strong September has made them a team that nobody wants to face. 

The Mariners have struggled this season due to an inconsistent offense, but Nelson Cruz hasn't been part of the problem. He's hitting over .300 and has mashed 42 homers this season. Add a suddenly hot Robinson Cano (.324/.392/.523 in the second half) and Seattle's heart of the order can now pose problems for opposing pitchers. 

Of course, facing Felix Hernandez isn't an ideal scenario for contenders. He's had a down year, but he's still striking out over eight hitters per nine innings. The rest of the rotation is inconsistent, but Hisashi Iwakuma proved last month he's capable of showing up with no-hit stuff in any start. 

Now that Seattle is beginning to look like the team many predicted before the season, no contender will be thrilled to see them down the stretch. The Mariners can affect not only the AL West and wild-card races, but also the race for AL home-field advantage, as well. 

Stats courtesy of FanGraphs and accurate as of Sept. 17.