By Joseph Caruso
Staff Writer
For the first time in a decade there was not a single team to finish with 100 wins during the regular season, resulting in a wide-open playoff field this October. A mix of world-beaters like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies, along with dark-horse underdogs like the New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals offer the most anticipated postseason since the new playoff format came into effect in 2022. With the playoffs officially underway, here is everything to know about the 2024 postseason.
American League favorite: New York Yankees
After a miserable 2023 to break their streak of six straight playoff appearances, the Bronx Bombers are back on the big stage as the number-one seed in the American League. They are led by soon-to-be AL MVP Aaron Judge and fellow superstar Juan Soto who together have had the best offensive season by a duo post-integration, both being top three this year in OPS.
For the Yankees to finally get over the hump, however, it will have to be the other guys stepping up. Trade deadline acquisition Jazz Chisholm Jr., and their core of young players in Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and recent call-up Jasson Dominguez will need to provide a spark for this Yankee lineup to be formidable in the stretch run.
On the mound, 2023 CY Young winner Gerrit Cole will look to put his past postseason shortcomings aside, and pitch like one of the best arms in the league to mask New York's shaky bullpen. Carlos Rodon and promising rookie Luis Gil will round out the Yankee rotation, and other starters Marcus Stroman and Clarke Schmidt will more than likely be relegated to the bullpen to provide relief.
National League favorite: Philadelphia Phillies
With one of the most well-rounded squads in the league, manager Rob Thomson looks to take the Phillies to their third National League Championship Series in a row. Tied for the most wins in the NL with the Dodgers, it is World Series or bust for this seasoned Philadelphia group. Despite their lineup being hot and cold this season, they were still able to finish the year top five in runs scored. With a familiar cast including Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner, the Phillies can wreak havoc on opposing pitchers on any given day.
With that being said, the real calling card of this team is their pitching staff. A rotation that is spearheaded by Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler also includes all-star caliber players in Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez. Those four guys alone have thrown a total of 731.2 innings this year, each of them having an ERA of 3.57 or better. That type of health and consistency has led the Phillies to their highest win total since 2011 and should continue to carry them through the playoffs.
American League dark horse: Detroit Tigers
Just over a month ago, on August 22nd, the Detroit Tigers had a 0.8% chance of making the playoffs. They went on to win 24 of their last 35 games in order to miraculously grab the last American League Wild Card spot. During that stretch their stellar pitching led the way, allowing a league-best 104 runs over that span. After winning the AL Triple Crown and soon the Cy Young award, calling anybody other than Tarik Skubal the best pitcher in the world would be borderline disrespectful. Skubal is not the only great arm that Detroit has. Jack Flaherty and Reese Olson have shut down opposing lineups all year.
For the Tigers, it is the first time they have reached the playoffs in a decade, and if the young squad wants to make some noise, it will come down to the offense. Young hitters Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene have been great pieces for Detroit, but after finishing in the bottom third in runs scored this season, the Tigers pitching will have to continue to be world-beating to stick around this postseason.
National League dark horse: New York Mets
Calling the 2024 New York Mets a rollercoaster ride would certainly be an understatement. The Mets became just the fourth team in the history of baseball to start the regular season 0-5 and make the playoffs. After falling 11 games below .500 on June 2nd, they had just a 7.9% chance to play October baseball. Along with MVP candidate Francisco Lindor, it has been the newcomers that have provided the spark. Second-year third baseman Mark Vientos has been one of the most prolific infielders in baseball and part-time Latin pop star Jose Iglesias, known as Candelita while behind the microphone, posted a .337 batting average to will this team to the playoffs.
On the mound, left-handed Sean Manea has been the Mets best pitcher, sporting a 3.47 ERA through a team-high 181.2 innings this season. First-year manager Carlos Mendoza has the Metropolitans back in the postseason this year, hoping to have more success than their 2022 campaign. For that to happen, they will need long-time players Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso to rectify their below average seasons, and get hot for this Met lineup.
