Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani will return to the mound Sunday against the Houston Astros for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list in June with an elbow injury http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-yoenis-cespedes-jersey , according to MLB.com's Maria I. Guardado.Ohtani was activated from the disabled list July 3 after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain of theulnar collateral ligamentin his right elbow. However, he was only cleared to take at-bats and has not pitched since June 6.Thursday's clearance comes three days after Ohtani threw 50 pitches in a simulated game.After that outing, manager Mike Scioscia indicated "Ohtani's stuff is good enough to get major league hitters out right now," according to the Southern California News Group'sJeff Fletcher.Prior to the UCL scare, Ohtani went 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 61 strikeouts and 20 walks across 49.1 innings. His average fastball velocity clocked in at 96.8 mph during that stretch, according toFanGraphs.The 24-year-old has also held steady at the plate with a .275/.352/.545 slash line, 15 home runs and 43 RBI. Postseason OutlookLast 30 Games:23-7The Milwaukee Brewers erased what was a five-game deficit in the NL Central standings on Sept. 1 to force Game 163, and they've been playing great baseball down the stretch.NL MVP favorite Christian Yelich (NL-leading .323 BA, .997 OPS, 36 HR, 109 RBI) and breakout star Jesus Aguilar (.893 OPS, 35 HR, 108 RBI) paced an offensive attack that slugged 218 home runs (fourth in MLB) on the year.The resurgence of Ryan Braun (8-for-22, five homers in six games last week) could wind up being a major storyline in October.It's an unheralded starting staff that raises some red flags.Chase Anderson (30 GS, 9-8, 3.93 ERA), Wade Miley (16 GS, 5-2, 2.57 ERA), Jhoulys Chacin (34 GS, 15-8, 3.56 ERA) and Gio Gonzalez (5 GS, 3-0, 2.13 ERA since atrade from Washington) will likely make up the postseason rotation.Luckily, that group is backed by a dynamic relief corps.Jeremy Jeffress, Josh Hader and Corey Knebel form an exceptional trio at the back of the bullpen that stacks up to any trio of relievers in baseball. Rookies Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff are also capable of providing multiple innings, which takes further pressure off the starting staff.This is just the fifth time in franchise history that the Brewers are in the postseason, and while they're an underdog of sorts, their roster is well-designed for Ocotber success.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupCF Lorenzo CainLF Christian Yelich1B Jesus Aguilar2B Travis ShawLF Ryan Braun3B Mike MoustakasC Erik KratzSS Orlando ArciaBenchC Manny PinaIF Jonathan SchoopIF/OF Hernan PerezOF Keon BroxtonOF Domingo SantanaPitching StaffSP Chase AndersonSP Wade MileySP Jhoulys ChacinSP Gio GonzalezRP Brandon WoodruffRP Xavier Cedeno (L)RP Dan Jennings (L)RP Corbin BurnesRP Joakim SoriaSU Corey KnebelSU Josh Hader (L)CL Jeremy JeffressNotable Exclusions:RHP Jacob Barnes, RHP Zach Davies, OF Curtis Granderson, RHP Freddy Peralta Michael Conforto Jersey , 1B/OF Eric Thames, RHP Taylor Williams3. Cleveland Indians (91-71, AL Central Champions)8 of 10Francisco Lindor and Jose RamirezGregory Shamus/Getty ImagesPostseason OutlookLast 30 Games:16-14The 2018 Cleveland Indians became the first team in MLB history to have four pitchers reach the 200-strikeout mark in the same season.Corey Kluber (33 GS, 20-7, 2.89 ERA, 222 K), Trevor Bauer (27 GS, 12-6, 2.21 ERA, 221 K), Carlos Carrasco (30 GS, 17-10, 3.38 ERA, 231 K) and Mike Clevinger (32 GS, 13-8, 3.02 ERA, 207 K) will form a postseason rotation that's as good as any in baseball.Meanwhile, the bullpen that had been such a major strength in recent years struggled for much of the year, though the deadline trade to acquire Brad Hand and Adam Cimber helped, as will the ability to use rookie starter Shane Bieber in a multi-inning relief role.The offense got big seasons from Jose Ramirez (.944 OPS, 39 HR, 106 RBI), Francisco Lindor (.871 OPS, 38 HR, 92 RBI) and Edwin Encarnacion (.810 OPS, 32 HR, 107 RBI), and August waiver acquisition Josh Donaldson (60 PA, .920 OPS, 3 HR) is starting to look like his pre-injury self.An ultraweak AL Central and a 23-31 record against teams with a winning record will be easy fodder for the detractors.It's hard to look past that starting rotation, though. If they all pitch up to their potential, this team is going to be awfully tough.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupSS Francisco LindorLF Michael Brantley2B Jose RamirezDH Edwin Encarnacion3B Josh Donaldson1B Yonder AlonsoRF Melky CabreraC Yan GomesCF Jason KipnisBenchC Roberto PerezIF Erik GonzalezIF/OF Yandy DiazOF Greg AllenOF Brandon GuyerPitching StaffSP Corey KluberSP Carlos CarrascoSP Trevor BauerSP Mike ClevingerRP Shane BieberRP Dan OteroRP Oliver Perez (L)RP Adam CimberSU Andrew Miller (L)SU Brad Hand (L)CL Cody AllenNotable Exclusions:OF Rajai Davis, LHP Tyler Olson http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-jose-reyes-jersey , RHP Neil Ramirez, RHP Josh Tomlin2. Boston Red Sox (108-54, AL East Champions)9 of 10J.D. Martinez and Mookie BettsBillie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty ImagesPostseason OutlookLast 30 Games: 18-12The Boston Red Sox set a franchise record with 108 wins this season as baseball's best offense paved the way.With MVP candidates Mookie Betts (1.078 OPS, 32 HR, 80 RBI) and J.D. Martinez (1.031 OPS, 43 HR, 130 RBI) leading the way, the Red Sox led the majors in runs (876), batting average (.268) and OPS (.792).While those two were the clear standouts, an excellent sophomore season from Andrew Benintendi (.830 OPS, 41 2B, 16 HR, 87 RBI) and a career year from Xander Bogaerts (.883 OPS, 23 HR, 103 RBI) are also worthy of mention.On the pitching side of things, Chris Sale (27 GS, 12-4, 2.11 ERA) was his usual stud self, while David Price (30 GS, 16-7, 3.58 ERA) returned to front-line form. Rick Porcello will fill the No. 3 starter spot ahead of either Nathan Eovaldi or Eduardo Rodriguez, and that group might be the deciding factor in whether this team contends for a title.The emergence of Ryan Braiser (34 G, 10 HLD, 1.60 ERA, 0.77 WHIP) has been a huge boon to the bullpen, and knuckleballer Steven Wright (16 G, 29.2 IP, 1.52 ERA) has also taken to a relief role. Those two will be counted on heavily to help bridge the gap to closer Craig Kimbrel.The Red Sox were the best team in baseball during the regular season, but the back end of their starting rotation and an inconsistent bullpen are enough to knock them out of the No. 1 spot heading into the postseason. Still, that offense alone could be enough to win atitle.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupRF Mookie BettsLF Andrew BenintendiDH J.D. MartinezSS Xander Bogaerts1B Mitch Moreland3B Rafael Devers2B Ian KinslerCF Jackie Bradley Jr.C Christian VazquezBenchC Sandy LeonC/OF Blake Swihart1B/OF Steve PearceIF Brock HoltIF Eduardo NunezPitching StaffSP Chris Sale (L)SP David Price (L)SP Rick PorcelloSPNathan EovaldiRP Eduardo Rodriguez (L)RP Steven WrightRP Heath HembreeRP Bobby Poyner (L)SU Matt BarnesSURyan BraiserCL Craig KimbrelNotable Exclusions:LHP Brian Johnson, RHP Joe Kelly, IF Tzu-Wei Lin1. Houston Astros (103-59, AL West Champions)10 of 10Justin VerlanderMark Cunningham/Getty ImagesPostseason OutlookLast 30 Games:22-8The Red Sox might have wrapped up the regular season with the best record in baseball Jeurys Familia Jersey , but the defending champion Houston Astros are again the team to beat.The pitching staff led the majors in team ERA (3.11), team WHIP (1.10), starters' ERA (3.16 ERA), quality starts (104) and bullpenERA (3.03).Justin Verlander (34 GS, 16-9, 2.52 ERA, 290 K), Gerrit Cole (32 GS, 15-5, 2.88 ERA, 276 K), Charlie Morton (30 GS, 15-3, 3.13 ERA) and Dallas Keuchel (34 GS, 12-11, 3.74 ERA) will make up a formidable and battle-tested postseason rotation, while Lance McCullers Jr. shifts to the bullpen.Roberto Osuna (23 GS, 12/12 SV, 1.99 ERA) has shored up the closer's role, and fellow trade pickup Ryan Pressly (26 G, 13 HLD, 0.77 ERA, 12.3 K/9) might be the best pitcher you've never heard of.All that and we still haven't mentioned an offense that scored 4.92 runs per game.Alex Bregman (.926 OPS, 31 HR, 103 RBI, 105 R) has taken his game to another level and should show up on quite a few MVP ballots.The biggest concern has to be the struggles of Carlos Correa since returning from a back injury that cost him more than a month. He's hitting just .180 with a .517 OPS in 153 plate appearances since the All-Star break.That said, there's an awful lot to like about this Astros team as it sets out to defend its title, and its lights-out starting staff and strong lineup are enough to earn Houston the No. 1 spot in our pre-playoff power rankings.Projected Playoff RosterStarting LineupCF George Springer2B Jose Altuve3B Alex BregmanLF Marwin GonzalezSS Carlos Correa1B Yuli GurrielDH Tyler WhiteRF Josh ReddickC Brian McCannBenchC Martin MaldonadoOF Tony KempOF Jake MarisnickDH Evan GattisPitching StaffSP Gerrit ColeSP Justin VerlanderSP Dallas Keuchel (L)SP Charlie MortonRP Lance McCullers Jr.RP Brad PeacockRP Will HarrisRP Collin McHughRP Tony Sipp (L)SU Ryan PresslySU Hector RondonCL Roberto OsunaNotable Exclusions:RHPChris Devenski, RHP Josh James, RHP Joe SmithAll stats courtesy of Baseball Reference andFanGraphs, unless otherwise noted, and accurate through Sept. 30.
