Courtesy of Lesley Juarez
The air feels crisp, and leaves are starting to fall. You know what that means! It’s time for some postseason baseball! The sport that engulfs American fans throughout the summer is not yet done for the season. Whether you are a diehard baseball fan or just interested in staying in the sports loop, this 2024 MLB playoff preview will surely capture your attention. Let’s check out the teams playing this October.
*Note: This information is all as of Friday, September 27’s games. By publication, all positions should be solidified.
New York Mets
The New York Mets currently sit in a tie for a wildcard spot with Arizona and Atlanta. They do lead the wildcard on winning percentage, but nothing is guaranteed. The doubleheader matchup between the two on September 30 proves pivotal in determining who will make it to the postseason and who will be done for the 2024 season. If Arizona, Atlanta, and New York were to end in a tie, the Mets and the Braves would be the teams to make it through. Led by first baseman Pete Alonso and pitcher Edwin Diaz, the Mets could be a force to be reckoned with this postseason if given the chance.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have already clinched a postseason berth by winning the American League East champions. With this accomplishment, they have also received a first-round bye and home-field advantage. New York has had an interesting regular season due to their inconsistency. Sometimes, you don’t know what you will get from them, and this may be the case for the postseason as well. While there is a little uncertainty in the bullpen, the Yankees have seen tremendous work done by closer Luke Weaver this season, and there is nothing to suggest that he won’t continue having success come October. Powerhouse batters Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are going to be essential to the team’s offensive success, while ace Gerrit Cole will have to continue his peaking performance into the postseason. These top stars could propel the New York Yankees deep into October.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies look to be going after an even stronger performance than last year. After a heartbreaking loss to the Texas Rangers in the divisional series, the Phillies have shown signs of revenge in their performance this season. The team has already clinched a postseason berth by becoming champions of the NL East earlier this week, a title that has belonged to the Atlanta Braves in recent years. Home field advantage has also been clinched by the Phillies. With a first-round bye, Philadelphia is set to take on the winner of the Brewers versus the 6th place National League team. Bryce Harper has been spearheading this powerhouse of a team that seems to be taking the postseason by storm. Based on this season so far, it is likely that we could see a dynamic matchup between the Phillies and the Dodgers for the National League pennant.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Coming off a dominant showing last season that ended with a World Series loss to the Texas Rangers, the Arizona Diamondbacks are cutting it close this postseason. After failing to win the NL West, the Diamondbacks are looking to slide into the playoffs as a National League wildcard selection. Arizona is currently tied with the New York Mets for the second wildcard spot and must win as many games as possible in their season-ending series with the San Diego Padres to hold this position. If they make the playoffs, the Diamondbacks will certainly be out for revenge. Led by center fielder Corbin Carroll, this team is well-balanced and able to produce impressive numbers on both sides of the plate. The first challenge will be making it to the best-of-three wildcard series.
Atlanta Braves
Currently tied with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks for a wildcard spot, the Atlanta Braves have their work cut out for them. Their playoff hopes all come down to the outcome of their rescheduled doubleheader against the Mets on Monday, September 30. Having won the first game of the series, Atlanta needs to win at least one game on Monday to secure the tiebreaker against the Mets. Should all three teams end in a tie, the Braves would be one of the teams to go through, based on head-to-head wins in the regular season. After an early exit last postseason, the Braves would undoubtedly be hungry for success if they are able to make it to October. The team has struggled this season after losing former All-Stars Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. to season-ending injuries. A chance at postseason competition would give the team hope and possibly fuel a late-season rally. Star pitcher Chris Sale and home run hitter Marcell Ozuna would certainly be exciting to watch in the postseason with the Braves. Being coined as the “sleeping giant,” the Braves are capable of surprising the entire field and making another run like that of their 2021 World Series winning season.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles have clinched a postseason berth as the first American League wildcard spot. With Friday’s 7-2 victory over the Twins, the O’s earned homefield advantage while also eliminating Minnesota from playoff contention. The team will face either the Detroit Tigers or the Kansas City Royals at Camden Yard in the wildcard series beginning October 1. Baltimore is looking to “avenge how last year’s home postseason games went.” The O’s are headlined by right fielder Anthony Santander, All-Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and pitcher Corbin Burnes. This is a team that, last year, ended their seven-year postseason drought; so, they may be able to surprise a lot of people in October.
Los Angeles Dodgers
It is safe to say that the Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2024 season as clear favorites for World Series Champions. The acquisition of superstar Shohei Ohtani played a big role in this presumption. Ohtani has certainly lived up to the expectations placed on him. He is on route to another MVP award after becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50+ homers and to amass 50+ stolen bases in a singular season. Led by Ohtani’s offensive firepower combined with acquired pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers are certainly one of the strongest teams in the league. The only question surrounding the Dodgers is the pitching, as Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Gavin Stone are injured. Despite this question, their season has been remarkable, and the team has already clinched a postseason berth by winning the NL West. They have also earned a first-round bye and home field advantage. The Dodgers start their postseason run with a best-of-five series against the winner of the matchup between the 4th and 5th NL teams (from the wildcard series).
Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians have clinched a spot in the postseason, as they were crowned champions of the AL Central. With this victory, they have also earned a first-round bye and home field advantage, where they would likely face the wildcard winner. Cleveland is entering this postseason with some pitching uncertainties. Tanner Bibee and Matthew Boyd seem to be locks, but there is still a question mark for the third pitcher in the rotation. However, the Guardians also have a very strong bullpen that they can pull from if necessary. Many people thought this was a rebuilding year for Cleveland, so it was an accomplishment to make it to the postseason. However, the question of how far they will go still remains.
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers entered the final series tied for the second American League wildcard spot with the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers were in search of one win against the Chicago White Sox in their final series, or a Minnesota Twins’ loss, to propel them through to the October 1 wildcard series. Detroit did beat the White Sox in game 1 of 3 to advance to their first postseason appearance since 2014. This resurging Detroit team has been led by All-Star outfielder Riley Greene and outfielder Kerry Carpenter. These two both have the potential to be “under-the-radar” postseason stars. A lot of the team’s success may fall to how Greene and Carpenter perform offensively.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros seem to always find themselves in the playoffs. This is a team that is consistently a contender, and this year is no different. The Astros have clinched the AL West, establishing themselves as another team to beat. They have the best record in baseball since May 12, showing their ability to win games and remain stable throughout the long season. Houston has advanced to seven straight American League Championship Series, and nothing is pointing toward the termination of this streak. Second baseman Jose Altuve, left fielder Yordan Álvarez, third baseman Alex Bregman, and pitcher Josh Hader are among some of the powerful Houston Astros players who seem to be full steam ahead and not slowing down any time soon.
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals entered the final series of the regular season in a tie with the Detroit Tigers for the second AL wildcard position. On Friday, the Twins lost to the O’s, pushing the Royals through to the postseason for the first time since 2015. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino shared with MLB, “we were really bad last year. This year, we’re really good…We’re happy to be here. And we’re not satisfied.” Coming off a 106-loss season in 2023, the Royals are certainly looking for revenge. This is a team that, led by All-Stars Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Seth Lugo, and Cole Ragans, could be a challenge in October.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have clinched the NL Central and are entering the playoffs with the arguably strongest bullpen in baseball. On the other side of the plate, ex-Phillies star Rhys Hoskins has had a slow season offensively but may be waiting for the right time to get hot again. Milwaukee will face the 6th place National League team who will be sliding in as the last wildcard spot. The biggest question will be if the Brewers’ strong bullpen is enough to hold off a competitor. The bats will need to come to life if Milwaukee wants to extend their season deep into October.
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are leading the National League wildcard race with 3 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Mets. With a win over the Diamondbacks in the first game of the series, the Padres have secured home field advantage for the upcoming best-of-three series on October 1. San Diego has had a solid regular season this year but fell short at the goal of obtaining the NL West title. Notable players for the Padres include third baseman Manny Machado, right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., and infielder Luis Arraez. The entire team is going to have to pull together and give it their all if there is a chance of them making it to the World Series. The Padres have been the best team in baseball since the All-star break, so if they can make it out of the wildcard series, this team could cause some trouble in the bracket.
