5 storylines to follow during the season's final 2 weeks

The final two weeks of the regular season are here, leaving teams about a dozen games to prove what they're made of.

Some clubs are still vying for postseason spots, while others can only play spoiler to those in contention.

As the finish line approaches, a number of interesting narratives should make for an entertaining final stretch. Here are five storylines to watch as the season winds down.

Getting wild in the AL

"Wild" is the perfect word to describe the postseason race in the American League. Eight teams are still within 5 1/2 games of the second AL wild-card spot, but it's the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Angels who appear to have the best chances of making the postseason. With a four-game lead over the Twins and six games on the Angels, the Yankees are in a great position, so the real battle may come down to L.A. and Minnesota. The Twins play seven of their last 12 games against the lowly Detroit Tigers.

David Price, the reliever

When the Boston Red Sox signed David Price to a seven-year, $217-million contract in 2015, they probably didn't envision using him out of the bullpen less than two years later. That's exactly what Boston did Sunday, though, and the 32-year-old tossed two perfect innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox plan to use the left-hander in this role for the foreseeable future to reduce the strain on an elbow that's experienced its fair share of issues this season. Price had previously made six career appearances out of the 'pen in the regular season, and six more in the postseason.

Cubs-Brewers dogfight

Defending World Series champions the Chicago Cubs haven't had it easy in their attempt to win back-to-back NL Central titles. They've either been chasing the Milwaukee Brewers or had them on their tails all season long. The Cubs moved four games up on the Brew Crew after a win Sunday, but a three-game showdown between the two combatants beginning Thursday could be the make-or-break series of the season for both franchises.

Bryce Harper's return

Bryce Harper is inching closer to returning to the Washington Nationals, and he couldn't come back at a better time. Since hyperextending his knee Aug. 12, the 2015 NL MVP hasn't appeared in a game. He ran from foul pole to foul pole over the weekend, participated in batting practice Sunday, and hopes to be in the lineup for the Nationals' first game of the postseason in a few weeks. "I hope so. That's definitely in my head," he told Jamal Collier of MLB.com. "That's what I want to do. That's where I want to be. But it takes time. Just trying to do the best I can to get out here and do the things I can to get back and get ready, and see where it's at."

Legendary rivalry comes down to the wire

One of baseball's best rivalries is front and center once again. The Boston Red Sox sit just three games ahead of the Yankees for top spot in the AL East as the two squads duke it out during the season's final stretch. Both teams have won seven of their last 10 and are in good position to make a strong push over the last two weeks. Following a three-game set against the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox play six straight against the last-place Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees, on the other hand, play a tough opponent in the Twins before six of their last 10 games come against Toronto.

(Photo credits: Action Images)