September 21, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) is congratulated by right fielder Juan Soto (22) after hitting a three-run home run against the Oakland Athletics in the third inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Carrie Edmondson-Imagen Imagen So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Yes, Detroit, I am.
And San Diego, Kansas City, Minnesota… even you, Seattle.
Just ask the Giants, Royals, Cubs, Red Sox, Nationals and Rangers, all champions of the last decade.
The Yankees and Dodgers will go in as favorites. That means they have a chance. But so does every other team.
There’s a lot of reason for optimism here for teams that have secured a postseason spot or have a realistic chance of playing next week…
American League
New York Yankees: They have Aaron Judge; you don’t.
The record for home runs in a postseason is held by the Rays’ Randy Arozarena, who hit 10 home runs in 2020. Judge hit nine home runs in a 10-game sweep this season. The postseason could last at least 22 games. You do the math.
Cleveland Guardians: They can bunt.
Remember small ball? It can come in handy when the weather cools down in October. No one plays small ball better than the Guardians, who have a .677 batting average on bunts this season. Six-for-seven.
Houston Astros: They’ve been there, done that.
Source: Getty Images The Astros have nine more postseason wins (62) than any other team during José Altuve’s 14-year career, 14 more (59) during Alex Bregman’s nine-year career and 21 more (44) during Yordan Alvarez’s six-year career. It’s contagious.
Baltimore Orioles: They’re fun.
Honestly, wouldn’t you love to see this? Jackson Holiday’s first postseason hit? Gunnar Henderson’s first postseason triple? Adley Rutschman’s first postseason home run? It could be the next Altuve-Bregman-Alvarez. Stay tuned.
Kansas City Royals: They keep the ball in the ballpark.
The Royals have given up the fewest home runs in the majors this season. Where they have been the most stingy is in extra innings, where they haven’t given up a single run all year. Notably, there was only one extra-inning game in last year’s postseason, and it was won with a homer.
Detroit Tigers: They have an ace.
August 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzacinski-Imagen Imagen Do you want to advance to the postseason? Win the first game. Tarik Skubal is double trouble for any opponent in the first game of the series. First of all, he’s easily the best starter in the American League right now. And secondly, he’s as likely as any pitcher to go seven innings and save the bullpen for another day, which could lead to future success.
Minnesota Twins: They’re healthy.
Royce Lewis has played just 76 games this season, Carlos Correa has played 82 and Byron Buxton has played 98. But their injury-plagued seasons have recently taken a rousing turn. Last week, Lewis played in all seven matchesWhile Correa and Buxton made six starts each. The key is Buxton; the Twins are 54-44 when he is able to climb the dugout steps this season.
Seattle Mariners: They know how to outsmart foes.
Nothing hurts a series more than losing a lead in the ninth inning. That’s less of a concern for the Mariners than most teams. They have given up just 34 runs in the ninth inning all season. Opponents won’t want to look at Andres Munoz, a highly underrated closer who has given up just 18 hits in 47 ninth-inning starts this year.
National League
Dodgers: They have Shohei Ohtani … and more.
September 19, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals third base against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at LonDepo Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagen Imagen Remember when the Dodgers’ lineup was considered top-heavy? Well, it still is. With 118 RBI from the leadoff spot and a week to add to it, they’re about to break the all-time record of 122 set by the 2019 Astros. But let’s give a little credit to the No. 8 and 9 hitters, who have driven in the third- (73) and second-most runs (78), respectively, in baseball this season.
Philadelphia Phillies: They handle good teams.
Given their recent success in the postseason, it’s not surprising that the Phillies have one of the best records in baseball this season, currently at .500 or better (50-40) against teams that are .500. If you’re going to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Milwaukee Brewers: They can run.
When you have players like Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz and Sal Frolik in your lineup, there’s only one thing you need to do: run. The Brewers have stolen more bases than any other team in the postseason, which helps explain how the team with the 15th-most home runs has scored the fifth-most runs. The Brewers are 70-34 when stealing at least one base this season.
San Diego Padres: They force action.
September 14, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arraez (4) hits a double against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagen Imagen Images Luis Arraez struck out last week. That was big news. Here’s even bigger news: He has several teammates who are tough to strike out. No team has failed fewer times this season, and it’s not even close. How do you beat heavyweight pitching? By putting the ball in play.
New York Mets: They win on the road.
If a wild-card team wants to surprise the Giants, it will have to take advantage of its home field. The Mets’ 41-34 road record, which includes a two-game sweep at Yankee Stadium and series wins in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Arizona, shows they look good in gray.
Arizona Diamondbacks: They play defense.
The Diamondbacks made no errors in two games against the Brewers in the 2023 Wild Card Series, just one in three games against the Dodgers in the National League Division Series and just four in a 4-3 win over the Phillies in the NL Championship Series. They’re shining again this regular season, when they’ve made seven fewer errors than any other team.
Atlanta Braves: They play the game in 21st century style.
The Braves lead the league in pitching strikeouts and are fourth in home runs. No matter what aspect of the game dominates in the postseason, the Braves have it covered.