At this time of year, you hear a lot about how some teams are “getting hot at the right time,” while others are “limping into the playoffs.”
Most prognosticators would say that the Rangers and the Cubs (both 15-7 in September, through Thursday) are a lot better positioned for the postseason than the Astros (7-14).
So how vital to a playoff team is finishing the season on a hot streak?
The answer turns out to be: Not at all.
Over the last two decades, the hottest teams going into the playoffs have not fared especially well there, while the coldest teams have been surprisingly good.