The Los Angeles Dodgers have not
missed the postseason since 2012 and have won three National League pennants and a World Series in that time frame. Conversely, the Seattle Mariners are fighting to avoid missing the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season. What about some of the other franchises yearning for October baseball?
Let s take a look at some of the longest playoff droughts in MLB and when they might end. These timelines were devised through an assessment of current MLB rosters and players under club control, as well as the expected arrival and development of top minor leaguers.
For clarity s sake, no team on this list has made the playoffs since 2016. Easy enough, right? Well, maybe not for the following clubs.
2. Washington Capitals vs. 3. Boston Bruins
North Division
2. Edmonton Oilers vs. 3. Winnipeg Jets
Central Division
2. Florida Panthers vs. 3. Tampa Bay Lightning
West Division
2. Vegas Golden Knights vs. 3. Minnesota Wild
Key Dates and Viewing Information
2 of 4
Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
A full schedule can be found at NHL.com, but some of the key dates are as follows:
Monday, May 17 - Nashville vs. Carolina Game 1
Monday, May 17 - St. Louis vs. Colorado Game 1
Monday, May 17 - Washington vs. Boston Game 2
Tuesday, May 18 - New York vs. Pittsburgh Game 2
Tuesday, May 18 - Tampa Bay vs. Florida Game 2
Tuesday, May 18 - Vegas vs. Minnesota Game 2
0 of 3
Mark Humphrey/Associated Press
The 2020-21 NHL regular season is on the homestretch. The Stanley Cup playoffs will get underway shortly thereafter, with 16 teams battling it out for a championship while the rest of the league s teams shift focus to the offseason.
But even for teams with Stanley Cup aspirations, it s important to look forward to the future too. That s why there s always buzz about the offseason, potential moves and extensions and more, even as the postseason draws nearer.
Here s some of the latest noteworthy buzz from around the NHL.
Zadorov s Price Was Too High for Trade Suitors
1 of 3
0 of 3
Matt York/Associated Press
It had been more than a decade since the Phoenix Suns last went to the NBA playoffs. But that drought is now over.
On Wednesday night, Phoenix clinched its first playoff berth since 2010, becoming the fourth team in the NBA to secure a spot in the postseason this year. The Utah Jazz are the only other Western Conference team to have done so, while the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have clinched in the Eastern Conference.
Unlike past years, only the top six teams from each conference are guaranteed of playing in the first round of the playoffs. The teams that finish in the Nos. 7-10 spots in both the East and West will then participate in a play-in tournament to see who moves on.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Uninteresting
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been about as meh as one might expect. The rotation is lacking without Zac Gallen (hairline forearm fracture), though Taylor Widener looked great against the San Diego Padres.
Similarly, the lineup has experienced its share of ups and downs. One inherent positive of note: Ketel Marte slashed .522/.560/.957 with a pair of homers in his first five games. But he might be on the shelf as well after suffering a leg injury Wednesday night.
Colorado Rockies: Foreseeable
Ryan McMahon with a three-homer game? That definitely wasn t in the cards. But a 1-4 record and a staff that ranked 13th in the NL in ERA through five games? That sounds more accurate for the Colorado Rockies.