The Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs for 2024 are just around the corner, and excitement is building among fans and analysts alike. This year's postseason promises to be a thrilling spectacle with several teams poised to make a deep run.
The Dodgers: Limited Wins, Limitless Potential
Leading the pack are the Los Angeles Dodgers, boasting an impressive 98-win season. Interestingly, this is the lowest total for a league leader since the Angels matched it in 2014. Yet, don't let the win count fool you. As one analyst put it, “The Dodgers can bang with anyone offensively,” thanks to MVP candidates Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
Their rotation has also seen strategic bolstering with Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joining the ranks. Walker Buehler has been solid in his recent outings, adding depth to their pitching arsenal. "A week ago I would've had the Dodgers lower," the seasoned analyst admitted. However, he added, “I’m not near as worried about the pitching as I was a few weeks ago.”
New York Yankees: Powerhouse or Pretender?
The New York Yankees are not to be overlooked, especially with the addition of sluggers Juan Soto and Aaron Judge to their already formidable lineup. Gerrit Cole has also rediscovered his dominant form in the last couple of months, leading a rotation that includes Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt. On the positive side -- I mean, I did put them No. 1 -- the Yankees have Juan Soto and Aaron Judge," noted the analyst. Yet, he voiced caution about their title aspirations, stating, “Do I actually think the Yankees are going to win the World Series? No. Not really.”
Padres and Astros: Under-the-Radar Contenders
The San Diego Padres could pose significant challenges with an offense powered by Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr., combined with a robust pitching rotation featuring Dylan Cease, Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish, and Michael King. While their regular-season performance has been up and down, they remain a strong postseason candidate. “It wouldn't be shocking to see the Padres bow out early, but they are a decent pick to win it all,” remarked the analyst.
The Houston Astros have demonstrated remarkable resilience, holding an MLB-best 76-49 record since their dismal 12-24 start. This illustrates while the playoffs are about peaking at the right moment, and the Astros seem to be doing just that.
Phillies: Ready for Another Deep Run?
The Phillies have had a shaky finish to their regular season, posting a 10-11 record since September 6. However, their last two postseason performances suggest that they are built better for the playoffs' sprint rather than the marathon of the regular season. As the analyst noted, “The past two postseasons, the Phillies showed they were better built for the sprint of the playoffs than the marathon of the regular season.”
Guardians and Brewers: The Dark Horses
The Cleveland Guardians are another team that shouldn't be underestimated. With stars like José Ramírez and Josh Naylor, combined with the season's best bullpen, they have the weapons to make a deep run. An expert put it bluntly, “Anyone who doesn’t take the Guardians seriously as a World Series championship threat is ignorant to how good a team this is.”
The Milwaukee Brewers also fall into the dark horse category. Known for their excellent bullpen and strong base-stealing prowess, they have the ingredients for postseason success.
Other Teams to Watch
The Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers have shown flashes of brilliance. Kansas City’s rotation showcases a mix of experienced and young arms, with Bobby Witt Jr. standing out as a notable talent. The Tigers have surged late in the season, bolstered by the AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
As we gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason, one thing is clear: "Every single team here is a threat to win it all,” as the analyst succinctly put it. Whether it will be a heavyweight or a dark horse lifting the trophy at the end remains to be seen. As one enthusiastic fan aptly said, “Here it comes: the best month of the year. I’m ecstatic for the 2024 MLB playoffs.” Indeed, it could go either way.