22 Sep 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: Image by Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Back in spring training, if someone told you that three of the last four teams in the American League playoffs would all come from the same division, which division would you be in?
The AL East will probably be the most popular choice. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles were primed for a big season; one team between Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays can find a way to sneak into October.
Or maybe your mind has traveled to the other side of the country and considered the AL West. After all, the Texas Rangers are World Series champions, the Houston Astros are strong, and the Seattle Mariners boast an impressive starting rotation.
Can anyone guess the AL Central?
Of course, the Cleveland Guardians, that can be done.
But the Kansas City Royals? The Detroit Tigers?
Leave it to the wild card to make the wild postseason in the AL. The Royals and their emerging superstar, Bobby Witt Jr., will try to play spoiler against the favored New York Yankees. In another ALDS game, the Detroit Tigers will face a familiar foe in the Guardians division championship.
Which team 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 single Aaron Judge (99) in 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, the heavy underdog that is expected to make a lot of noise this season. Just last year the Royals went 56-106 and finished dead last in the division. Given their improbable success, the Royals have one thing in common: zero pressure to win this series. No one thought it would be here. They can play loose and free.
That said, the Yankees are favored for a reason. He posted a 94-68 record and held off the Orioles for the division title, and struck out third most (815) on a baseball team. By comparison, the Royals finished No. 13 in the big leagues with 735 runs.
A huge reason for the success of the Yankees in Aaron Judge’s offense. The 9-foot-4, 576-pound (approximately) slugger hit .322 this season with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and a mammoth .701 slugging percentage (these are real numbers this time, not estimates!). Teammate Juan Soto looks like an underachiever in comparison, even though he hit .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs.
Yes, the Royals have a little magic on their side. And Vinnie Pasquintino. But this is where the story ends, and there is no shame in falling short against the big hitters of the Big Apple.
Prediction: Yankees in 4th
Series No. 2: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians
Sep 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers left Steven Kwan (38) at bat against the Kansas City Royals in the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Image Denny Medley-Imagn Do you remember those old parody videos meant to sarcastically promote Cleveland tourism? They always end with the punchline, “We’re not Detroit!”
The videos are still funny. Definitely worth going down the YouTube rabbit hole to find out.
Anyway, the punchline didn’t land the same way it did in the past. That’s especially true when it comes to baseball, where the Tigers are a year ahead of schedule and probably have more positive momentum than any team still in the playoffs.
On September 6, the Tigers are 71-71, and the postseason looks like more than a goal for 2025. But Detroit won 15 of the next 18 games to punch a ticket to the playoffs, and then AJ “Clinch” took the team. went down to Houston and immediately beat the Astros on their home field in the wild card round.
Guardians are good, and it is the same so they won the AL Central by 6 1/2 games over Detroit and Kansas City. Jose Ramirez is a terrific hitter coming off a 39-homer campaign, Josh Naylor added 31 bombs, and Tanner Bibee and Ben Lively are turning in solid seasons on the mound.
However, the Tigers’ recent surge is too strong to be overlooked.
Sorry, Cleveland, but you’re not Detroit.
Prediction: Tigers at 5
