No one saw this matchup coming this summer. Thanks to an MLB-leading run differential (+221) that nearly lapped the field, and their enviable, high-profile trading deadline acquisitions, to some it may have felt like the Toronto Blue Jays were a postseason lock. However, over the course of the season, the Blue Jays walked off the diamond in fourth or fifth place in the AL East (42 games) nearly as often as they did in first place (44 games).
Through the prism of spring training expectations, the Texas Rangers' division crown was nothing short of astounding. Picked by everyone, including Las Vegas oddsmakers, to be in a dead heat with the Houston Astros for last place in the American League West after losing Yu Darvish for the season, the Rangers immediately lived down to those expectations and were 9.5 games out of first place just 24 games into the season. When, still eight games out of first at the trade deadline, they picked up Cole Hamels, the front office was lauded -- for improving the prospects of next year's team. Of course, the Rangers caught the Houston Astros in mid-September and never looked back. Still, by the end of the season, the Rangers had spent fewer days atop their division than the Tampa Bay Rays.