{"id":85035,"date":"2024-09-25T00:19:58","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T00:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/25\/how-every-mlb-playoff-team-can-win-2024-world-series\/"},"modified":"2024-09-25T00:19:58","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T00:19:58","slug":"how-every-mlb-playoff-team-can-win-2024-world-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neclink.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/25\/how-every-mlb-playoff-team-can-win-2024-world-series\/","title":{"rendered":"How Every MLB Playoff Team Can Win 2024 World Series"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"SepSep 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 <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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So you\u2019re telling me there\u2019s a chance?<\/p>\n

Yes, Detroit, I am.<\/p>\n

And San Diego,\u00a0Kansas City, Minnesota… even you, too, Seattle.<\/p>\n

Just ask the Giants, the Royals, the Cubs, the Red Sox, the Nationals and the Rangers, all champions in the past decade.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s one big reason for optimism for teams that have clinched postseason berths or with a realistic shot at playing next week…<\/p>\n

AMERICAN LEAGUE<\/h2>\n

New York Yankees: They have Aaron Judge; you don\u2019t.<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Cleveland Guardians: They can bunt.<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Houston Astros: They\u2019ve been there, done that.<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
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\"source:source: Getty Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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The Astros have nine more postseason wins (62) than any other team during Jose Altuve\u2019s 14-year career, 14 more (59) during Alex Bregman\u2019s nine-year career, and 21 more (44) during Yordan Alvarez\u2019s six-year career. It\u2019s contagious.<\/p>\n

Baltimore Orioles: They\u2019re fun.<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s be honest: Wouldn\u2019t you love to see Jackson Holliday\u2019s first postseason hit<\/a>? Gunnar Henderson\u2019s first postseason triple? Adley Rutschman\u2019s first postseason home run? This could be the next Altuve-Bregman-Alvarez. Stay tuned.<\/p>\n

Kansas City Royals: They keep the ball in the ballpark.<\/h3>\n

The Royals have allowed the fewest home runs in the majors this season. Where they\u2019ve been stingiest is in extra innings, where they haven\u2019t allowed one all year. Remarkably, there was just one extra-inning game in last year\u2019s postseason, and it was won with a homer.<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers: They have the ace.<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
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\"AugAug 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 <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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You want to advance in the postseason? Win Game 1. Tarik Skubal is double-trouble for any opponent<\/a> in a series opener. First off, he\u2019s easily the best starter still standing in the American League. And secondly, he\u2019s as likely as any pitcher to navigate seven innings and save the bullpen for another day, setting up future success.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Twins: They\u2019re healthy.<\/h3>\n

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<\/a>, while Correa and Buxton started six each. The key is Buxton; the Twins are 54-44 when he\u2019s been able to climb the dugout steps this season.<\/p>\n

Seattle Mariners: They know how to close out foes.<\/h3>\n

Nothing sabotages a series like a blown lead in the ninth. That\u2019s less of a worry for the Mariners than most teams. They\u2019ve allowed just 34 runs in the ninth inning all season. Opponents won\u2019t want to see Andres Munoz, a vastly underrated closer who has allowed just 18 hits in 47 ninth-inning appearances this year.<\/p>\n

NATIONAL LEAGUE<\/h2>\n

Dodgers: They\u2019ve got Shohei Ohtani… and more.<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
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\"SepSep 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 <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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Remember when the Dodgers\u2019 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Phillies: They handle good teams.<\/h3>\n

Not surprising given their recent run of success in the postseason, the Phillies have one of baseball\u2019s best records this season against teams currently at .500 or better (50-40). If you\u2019re going to be the best, you have to beat the best.<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Brewers: They can run.<\/h3>\n

When your lineup is full of guys named Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz and Sal Frelick, there\u2019s 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\u2019s hit the 15th-most home runs has scored the fifth-most runs. The Brewers are 70-34 when they\u2019ve stolen at least one base this season.<\/p>\n

San Diego Padres: They force the action.<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
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\"SepSep 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 <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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Luis Arraez struck out last week. It was big news. Here\u2019s 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\u2019s not even close. How do you beat heavyweight pitching? By putting the ball in play.<\/p>\n

New York Mets: They win on the road.<\/h3>\n

If a wild-card team is going to shock the heavyweights, it\u2019s going to have to steal the home-field advantage. The Mets\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Arizona Diamondbacks: They play defense.<\/h3>\n

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\u2019ve committed seven fewer errors than any other team, they\u2019re flashing the leather again.<\/p>\n

Atlanta Braves: They play the game 21st-century style.<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n


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