September 22, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke (59) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagen Images In spring training, if someone had told you that three of the final four teams in the American League playoffs would come from the same division, which division would you have guessed?
The AL East would probably have been the most popular choice. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles were poised for great seasons; One team among the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays could find a way to sneak into October.
Or maybe your mind has turned to the other side of the country and considered the AL West. After all, the Texas Rangers were the defending World Series champions, the Houston Astros were strong, and the Seattle Mariners boasted a stellar starting rotation.
Would anyone have guessed the AL Central?
Sure, Cleveland Guardians, it was possible.
But the Kansas City Royals? Detroit Tigers?
Leave it to the wild card to make the wild postseason in the AL. The Royals and their rising superstars, Bobby Witt Jr. will try to upset the heavily favored New York YankeesIn the other ALDS matchup, the Detroit Tigers will face a familiar foe in the form of the division champion Guardians.
Which teams will advance to the ALCS? As the past month has proven, anything can happen.
Series No. 1: Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees
August 4, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Aaron Judge (99) singles during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports It’s safe to say that many casual baseball fans will be cheering for Kansas City, a heavy underdog that few expected to make any noise this season. Just last year the Royals went 56-106 and finished last in the division. Because of their unexpected success, the Royals have something working in their favour: no pressure to win this series. No one thought they would be here. They can play freely.
That said, the Yankees are liked for a reason. They compiled a 94–68 record and held off the Orioles for the division title, and they scored the third most runs (815) of any team in baseball. By comparison, the Royals ranked 13th in the big leagues with 735 runs.
A big reason for the Yankees success on crime is aaron judgeThe 9-foot-4, 576-pound (approximately) slugger hit .322 with 58 home runs, 144 RBI and a massive .701 slugging percentage this season (those are real numbers this time, not projected!). Teammate Juan Soto looked underachieving in comparison, even though he hit .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBI.
Yes, the royals have a little magic. And Vinnie Pasquantino. But that’s where their story ends, and there’s no shame in lagging behind the Big Apple’s big hitters.
Prediction: Yankees in 4
Series No. 2: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians
September 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Cowan (38) walks in to bat against the Kansas City Royals in the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagen Images Do you remember those old parody videos that were meant to satirically promote Cleveland tourism? They always ended with the punchline, “We’re not Detroit!”
Well, those videos are still funny. definitely worth Going down the YouTube rabbit hole To find.
Anyway, the punchline doesn’t land the way it did in the past. This is especially true when it comes to baseball, where the Tigers are a year ahead of schedule and may have more positive momentum than any team left in the playoffs.
On September 6, the Tigers were 71–71, and the postseason seemed like a goal for 2025. But Detroit won 15 of the next 18 games to seal the playoffs, and AJ “Clinch” led his team to victory. They reached Houston and promptly defeated the Astros on their home field in the wild-card round.
The Guardians are good, and it’s fair to point out that they won the AL Central by 6 1/2 games over Detroit and Kansas City. Jose Ramirez is a stellar hitter coming off a 39-homer campaign, Josh Naylor added 31 bombs, and Tanner Beeby and Ben Lively turned in solid seasons on the mound.
However, the Tigers’ recent surge has been too strong to ignore.
Sorry, Cleveland, but you’re not Detroit.
Prediction: Tiger in 5