Ranking 2023 MLB wild-card contenders: Predictions, who's hot, more - ESPN

We need a new term to describe a certain kind of baseball fan: a modern traditionalist. It's a person who loves and respects the game's traditions but can also accept the changes the sport presents in 2023. Like three wild cards in each league! Don't be grumpy about it. Embrace it and enjoy the fact that at least the races in both leagues this year are fun and competitive, with surprise teams to watch and plenty of storylines to follow.

Let's break down the current state of all the wild-card contenders, separating them into three tiers and making some predictions on which teams will ultimately make it. (All stats are through Saturday's games.)

Current vibe: Trying to regain solid footing after stumbling to an 8-16 record in July and losing their grip on the American League East lead. The Rays never seem to panic, however, and they just had back-to-back walk-off wins over the Guardians on Friday and Saturday, on Wander Franco's first career walk-off home run and then a three-run rally off All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase.

Why root for them: They're doing this without starters Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen and Shane Baz — and now ace Shane McClanahan, who the team announced last week is unlikely to pitch again in 2023. Oh, and Tyler Glasnow hasn't pitched since July 31 because of back spasms. If you do the math, let's see, yep, that's an entire five-man rotation.

Who's hot: Yandy Diaz went into Sunday leading the AL with a .323 average, two points ahead of the injured Bo Bichette, and had hit .392/.446/.608 over his previous 12 games. He's not your typical leadoff hitter — he doesn't have a stolen base — but he has been one of the AL's best hitters all season.

Who's not: Randy Arozarena did drive in the winning run in