Sep 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 the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
Yes, Detroit, I am.
And San Diego, Kansas City, Minnesota… even you, too, Seattle.
Just ask the Giants, the Royals, the Cubs, the Red Sox, the Nationals and the Rangers, all champions in the past decade.
The Yankees and Dodgers will go in as the favorites. That just means they have a chance. But so does every other team that gets in.
Here’s one big reason for optimism for teams that have clinched postseason berths or with a realistic shot at playing next week…
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York Yankees: They have Aaron Judge; you don’t.
The record for home runs in a single postseason is 10 by Randy Arozarena of the Rays in 2020. Judge hit nine in one 10-game flurry this season. The postseason could run at least 22 games. You do the math.
Cleveland Guardians: They can bunt.
Remember small ball? It could come in handy as the weather gets colder in October. Nobody plays smallball better than the Guardians, who remarkably have a .677 batting average on bunts this season. Six-seventy-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 Jose 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.
Let’s be honest: Wouldn’t you love to see Jackson Holliday’s first postseason hit? Gunnar Henderson’s first postseason triple? Adley Rutschman’s first postseason home run? This could be the next Altuve-Bregman-Alvarez. Stay tuned.
Kansas City Royals: They keep the ball in the ballpark.
The Royals have allowed the fewest home runs in the majors this season. Where they’ve been stingiest is in extra innings, where they haven’t allowed one all year. Remarkably, there was just one extra-inning game in last year’s postseason, and it was won with a homer.
Detroit Tigers: They have the ace.
Aug 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images You want to advance in the postseason? Win Game 1. Tarik Skubal is double-trouble for any opponent in a series opener. First off, he’s easily the best starter still standing in the American League. And secondly, he’s as likely as any pitcher to navigate seven innings and save the bullpen for another day, setting up future success.
Minnesota Twins: They’re healthy.
Royce Lewis has played just 76 games this season, Carlos Correa 82, and Byron Buxton 98. But their injury-riddled seasons have taken a turn for the sprightly of late. In the past week, Lewis played all seven games, while Correa and Buxton started six each. The key is Buxton; the Twins are 54-44 when he’s been able to climb the dugout steps this season.
Seattle Mariners: They know how to close out foes.
Nothing sabotages a series like a blown lead in the ninth. That’s less of a worry for the Mariners than most teams. They’ve allowed just 34 runs in the ninth inning all season. Opponents won’t want to see Andres Munoz, a vastly underrated closer who has allowed just 18 hits in 47 ninth-inning appearances this year.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Dodgers: They’ve got Shohei Ohtani… and more.
Sep 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 loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Remember when the Dodgers’ lineup was considered top-heavy? OK, it still is. With 118 RBIs out of the leadoff spot and a week to add to it, they are about to break the all-time record of 122 set by the 2019 Astros. But let’s give a little credit to the Nos. 8 and 9 hitters, who have scored the third- (73) and second-most (78) runs, respectively, in baseball this season.
Philadelphia Phillies: They handle good teams.
Not surprising given their recent run of success in the postseason, the Phillies have one of baseball’s best records this season against teams currently at .500 or better (50-40). If you’re going to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Milwaukee Brewers: They can run.
When your lineup is full of guys named Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz and Sal Frelick, there’s just one thing to do: Run. The Brewers have stolen way more bases than anyone else headed to the postseason, which helps explain how a team that’s hit the 15th-most home runs has scored the fifth-most runs. The Brewers are 70-34 when they’ve stolen at least one base this season.
San Diego Padres: They force the action.
Sep 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-Imagn Images Luis Arraez struck out last week. It was big news. Here’s even bigger news: He has a bunch of teammates who are hard to strike out as well. No team whiffed less 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 is going to shock the heavyweights, it’s going to have to steal the home-field advantage. The Mets’ 41-34 road record, which includes a two-game sweep at Yankee Stadium and series wins at Los Angeles, Atlanta and Arizona, demonstrates they look good in gray.
Arizona Diamondbacks: They play defense.
The Diamondbacks committed no errors in their two-game sweep of the Brewers in the 2023 Wild Card Series, just one in their three-game elimination of the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, and just four in their 4-3 triumph over the Phillies in the NL Championship Series. This regular season, when they’ve committed seven fewer errors than any other team, they’re flashing the leather again.
Atlanta Braves: They play the game 21st-century style.
The Braves lead the majors in pitching strikeouts and rank fourth in batting home runs. No matter which aspect of the game dominates the postseason, the Braves have it covered.
