2024 ALDS predictions: Get ready for Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees ALCS

Back in spring training, if someone had told you that three of the last four teams in the American League playoffs would all be in the same division, what division would you have guessed?

The AL East would probably be the more popular choice. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles had great seasons; one team between the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays could find a way to sneak into October.

Or maybe your mind would have gone to the other side of the country and considered the AL West. After all, the Texas Rangers were World Series champions, the Houston Astros were strong, and the Seattle Mariners boasted a first-round pick.

Would anyone have guessed the AL Central?

Sure, Cleveland Rangers, that was possible.

But the Kansas City Royals? The Detroit Tigers?

Leave it to the wild cards to make the postseason in the AL. The Royals and their rising star, Bobby Witt Jr., will try to play spoiler against the heavily favored New York Yankees. In another ALDS game, the Detroit Tigers will face a familiar foe in the defending division champions.

Which teams will advance to the ALCS? As the past month has shown, anything is possible.

Series No. 1: Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees

It’s safe to say that many casual baseball fans will be cheering for Kansas City, a heavy underdog few expected to make a splash this season. Last year, the Royals went 56-106 and ended up dead in this division. Because of their unexpected success, the Royals have something going for them: the constant pressure to win this series. No one thought they would be here. They can play freely and for free.

That said, the Yankees are popular for a reason. They posted a 94-68 record and held off the Orioles for the division title, and scored the third most runs (815) of any team in baseball. By comparison, the Royals finished 13th in the major leagues with 735 runs.

The main reason for the Yankees success in the offense is Aaron Judge. The 9-foot-4, 576-pound (approx) slugger hit .322 this season with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and a whopping .701 slugging percentage (these are actual numbers this time, not approximations!). Teammate Juan Soto looked 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 Pasquantino. But that’s where their story ends, and there’s no shame in not succeeding against the Big Apple’s biggest hitters.

Prediction: Yankees at 4

Series No. 2: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians

Remember those old funny videos that were meant to sarcastically promote Cleveland tourism? They always ended with the words, “We’re not Detroit!”

Those videos are still funny, of course. You definitely have to go down the YouTube rabbit hole to find it.

However, the punchline is not always the same as it might have been in the past. That’s especially true when it comes to baseball, where the Tigers are early in the regular season and may have the best momentum of any team left in the playoffs.

On September 6, the Tigers were 71-71, and the postseason appeared to be the goal of 2025. But Detroit won 15 of their next 18 games to punch their ticket to the playoffs, and AJ “Clinch” took over his team. he came down to Houston and promptly knocked the Astros out of their home field in the wild card round.

The Rangers are good, and it’s fair to point out that they won the AL Central by 6 1/2 games over Detroit and Kansas City. Jose Ramirez is the best hitter coming off a 39-hit campaign, Josh Naylor added 31 hits, and Tanner Bibee and Ben Lively turned in solid seasons on the mound.

However, the Tigers’ recent attack is too strong to ignore.

Sorry, Cleveland, but you’re not Detroit.

Prediction: Tigers at 5