21 Sep 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: Image by Cary Edmondson-Imagn So you say there is a chance?
Yes, Detroit, I do.
And San Diego, Kansas City, Minnesota… even you, too, Seattle.
Just ask the Giants, Royals, Cubs, Red Sox, Nationals and Rangers, all champions of the past decade.
The Yankees and Dodgers will be the favorites. It just means they have a chance. But so did every other team that entered.
That’s one reason for optimism for teams that have either clinched a postseason berth or a realistic shot at next week’s playoff…
THE AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York Yankees: Same Aaron Judge; you don’t.
The record for home runs in a single postseason is 10 by Randy Arozarena of the Rays in 2020. Hakim hit nine in one 10-game flurry this season. The postseason can run to at least 22 games. You do the math.
Cleveland Guardians: They can bunt.
Remember the little ball? It can be useful because the weather is cooler in October. No one plays small ball better than the Guardians, who have a .677 batting average on bunts this season. Six seventy seven.
Houston Astros: They’ve been there, done it.
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 are 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 have been stingiest in extra rounds, where they have not allowed one all year. Amazingly, there was only one extra-inning game in the postseason last year, and it was won by a homer.
Detroit Tigers: They have an ace.
August 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 Dijamin Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Image by Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn You want to advance in the postseason? Win Game 1. Draw Skubal twice the barrier for any opponent in the series opener. First, he is easily the best starter left in the American League. And secondly, he might be like a pitcher to navigate seven innings and save the bullpen for another day, setting himself up for future success.
Minnesota Twins: They are healthy.
Royce Lewis has only played 76 games this season, Carlos Correa 82, and Byron Buxton 98. As of last week, Lewis played in all seven games, while Correa and Buxton each started six. The key is Buxton; The Twins are 54-44 when they have been able to climb the steps of the dugout this season.
Seattle Mariners: They know how to shut down opponents.
Nothing sabotages a series like a blown lead in the ninth. That’s less of a worry for the Mariners than most teams. He allowed just 34 runs in the ninth inning all season. Opponents don’t want to look at Andres Munoz, a terrific closer who has allowed just 18 hits in 47 ninth-inning appearances this year.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Dodgers: They have Shohei Ohtani … and more.
19 Sep 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: Image by Sam Navarro-Imagn 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, he will break the all-time record of 122 set by the Astros in 2019. But let’s give a little credit to the No. 8 and 9 hitters, who have scored the third- (73) and second-most (78) runs, respectively, in baseball this season.
Philadelphia Phillies: They handle the team well.
Not surprisingly given their recent 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 want 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 only one thing to do: Run. The Brewers have stolen more bases than anyone else heading into the postseason, which helps explain how the team that scored the 15th most runs has scored the fifth most. The Brewers are 70-34 when they have stolen at least one base this season.
San Diego Padres: They force 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 Credits: Image by Robert Edwards-Imagn Luis Arraez struck last week. That’s great news. Here’s the bigger news: He has a lot of friends who are also hard to beat. No team has been less exciting this season, and it’s not even close. How do you beat heavyweight pitching? By putting the ball in play.
New York Mets: They won on the road.
If a wild-card team is going to shock the heavyweights, they’ll need to steal a home-field advantage. The Mets’ 41-34 road record, which included a two-game sweep of Yankee Stadium and series wins in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Arizona, shows that they look good in the gray.
Arizona Diamondbacks: They play defense.
The Diamondbacks committed no errors in the Brewers’ two games in the 2023 Wild Card Series, just one in their three-game sweep of the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, and just four in their 4-3 victory over the Phillies in the NL Championship Series. This regular season, when he committed seven fewer fouls than the rest of the team, he’ll shine again.
Atlanta Braves: They play a 21st century style game.
The Braves lead the majors in pitching strikeouts and rank fourth in batting home runs. Regardless of which aspect of the game dominates the postseason, the Braves have it covered.
