MLB Playoff Predictions 2011: 3 Teams You Didn't Expect to See in October

Wait, the trade deadline passed and the New York Yankees didn't make a move? Considering the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers—current AL division leaders—all made improvements, we could consider the Yankees sitting ducks in the Wild Card spot, right? No, not so much.

The Bombers are 6.5 games up on the closest team and only two games out of first in the AL East.

But the AL Central has three clubs chasing the Detroit Tigers, and if any AL teams are going to make a move, it will likely be in the Central or the Angels chasing down the Rangers in the West.

The NL isn't much different, either. Philadelphia, Milwaukee and San Francisco currently lead their respective divisions, while the Braves lead the Wild Card by 3.5 games.

The NL Central has three teams all within seven games of the Milwaukee, while Arizona is chasing down the Giants in the West.

That essentially leaves four teams in each league actively chasing the postseason behind the four front-runners. While many of us expect to see the Phillies, Red Sox and Yankees playing in October for sure, here is a look at three teams you didn't expect that could crash the party.

Cleveland Indians: AL Central Winners

The Indians are only 2.5 games behind the Justin Verlander-led Tigers, but the last two months haven't been kind to the Tribe. After starting the season 33-20, Cleveland is only 20-32 since June 1.

This hasn't sat well with the Tribe, and they decided to roll the dice with big move landing former Colorado Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez as well as lighter moves for Kosuke Fukudome and Thomas Neal.

With less than 60 games to go, the Indians have made the necessary moves to chase down the Tigers in the AL Central. They haven't been good in the last 10 games, but if there is one club that can come away from the trade deadline with new life, it is the Indians.

Arizona Diamondbacks: NL West Winners

 The defending world champion San Francisco Giants currently lead the NL West with a two-game lead, but the Diamondbacks are closing fast.

In fact, the Giants and Diamondbacks are about to begin a three-game series tonight in San Francisco, and we could have a new leader in the West before the weekend even begins. Most people expect to see the Giants hold off the charge from Arizona, but this team made some quietly solid acquisitions at the deadline—starter Jason Marquis and reliever Brad Ziegler—that will help them in their chase for the postseason.

The Giants are in the driver's seat, and as the defending champions, means we certainly cannot write them off, but Arizona's young talent could make a strong run down the stretch. This week's three-game series with the Giants is one of three between the two ball clubs down the stretch. 

Pittsburgh Pirates: NL Central Winners

The Pirates are 3-7 in their last 10 games, have won only one game since the 19-inning debacle and have actually played in two more extra-inning games since that time, but they did make moves at the deadline.

Pittsburgh went out and landed two needed bats in Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick, although they didn't get another arm.

That said, and despite their recent struggles, this team has a lot of heart and is finally relevant for the first time in awhile. They are 7.5 games out of the Wild Card, and that will be a chase for them behind an Atlanta team that is legitimate, but they have the talent to overtake a Milwaukee team that they play 10 more times this season.

Others Of Note:

 The Angels, Cardinals, White Sox, Twins and Reds are all in the hunt for the postseason as well. Tampa Bay and Colorado also pose outside chances of pushing into the October, but that would entail seriously dominant August and September performances from both clubs.

The postseason will likely feature the favorites—although the aforementioned three will make pushes—and this year will highlight the potential for adding another Wild Card berth in the future.

There are so many teams in close competition that the final months of the regular season will be an exciting time for all of baseball.