So you are telling me there is a chance?
Yes, Detroit, I am here.
And San Diego, Kansas City, Minnesota…even you, Seattle.
Just ask the Giants, Royals, Cubs, Red Sox, Nationals and Rangers, all champions over the past decade.
The Yankees and Dodgers will enter as favorites. That means they have a chance. But so do all the other teams that come in.
Here’s one big reason to be optimistic for teams that have won the postseason or have a realistic shot at next week’s playoff…
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York Yankees: They have Aaron Judge; you don’t do it.
The record for home runs in a single postseason is 10 by Randy Arozarena of the Rays in 2020. Judge has struck out nine in just 10 games this season. The postseason can run a minimum of 22 games. He did the math.
Cleveland Cavaliers: They can roll.
Remember the little ball? It might come in handy as the weather gets colder in October. No one plays small ball better than the guards, who have a .677 batting average on bunts this season. Six-seventy-seven.
Houston Astros: Been there, done that.
source: Getty Images The Astros have nine more postseason home runs (62) than any other team during Jose Altuve’s 14-year tenure, 14 more (59) during Alex Bregman’s nine-year career, and 21 more (44) during a career. six Yordan Alvarez. It is contagious.
Baltimore Orioles: Exciting.
Let’s be honest: Wouldn’t you love to see Jackson Holliday’s first hit of the season? Gunnar Henderson’s first postseason triple? Adley Rutschman’s first home run of the postseason? 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 this season. Where they’ve been lacking the most is in extra innings, where they haven’t allowed one all year. Amazingly, there was just one more game in last year’s postseason, and it was won by a homer.
Detroit Tigers: They have an ace.
Aug 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: Photos by Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Do you want to advance to the postseason? Win Game 1. Tarik Skubal is double trouble for any opponent in the series opener. First of all, he is still the best starter still standing in the American League. And second, he’s as likely as any pitcher to cruise seven innings and save the bullpen for another day, setting up future success.
Minnesota Twins: Healthy.
Royce Lewis only played 76 games this season, Carlos Correa 82, and Byron Buxton 98. But their injury-riddled seasons took a surprising turn. Last week, Lewis played in all seven games, while Correa and Buxton started six each. The key is Buxton; The Twins are 54-44 when they have climbed the dugout stairs this season.
Seattle Mariners: They know how to shut down opponents.
Nothing ruins a streak like a leadoff ninth. That’s less of a concern for the Mariners than most teams. They have allowed just 34 runs in the ninth inning all season. Opponents won’t want to see Andres Munoz, a shortstop who has allowed just 18 hits in 47 inning appearances this year.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Dodgers: They have Shohei Ohtani… and more.
September 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: Photos by Sam Navarro-Imagn Remember when the Dodgers’ roster was considered top-heavy? Okay, still. With 118 RBIs off his prime and a week to add to it, he’s on pace to break the all-time record of 122 set by the 2019 Astros. But let’s give a little credit to the No. 8 and No. 9 hitters, who scored the third- (73) and second-best (78) runs, respectively, in baseball this season.
Philadelphia Phillies: They manage good teams.
Not surprisingly given their recent success in the postseason, the Phillies have the single best record in baseball this season against teams currently at .500 or better (50-40). If you’re going to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Milwaukee Brewers: They can make a run.
When your roster is full of guys like Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz and Sal Frelick, there’s only one thing you can do: Run. The Brewers have stolen more bases than anyone heading into the postseason, which helps explain how the team that hit the 15th most home runs scored the fifth most runs. The Brewers are 70-34 when they have stolen at least one base this season.
San Diego Padres: They force action.
September 14, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Luis Arraez (4) hits a double against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Photos by Robert Edwards-Imagn Luis Arraez hit last week. It was big news. Here’s even bigger news: You have a bunch of teammates that are hard to beat. No team has hit less this season, and it’s not even close. How do you beat heavyweight pitching? By putting the ball in play.
New York Mets: Win on the road.
If the Wildcats are going to upset the heavyweights, they’ll have to steal home-field advantage. The Mets’ 41-34 road record, which includes a two-game sweep of Yankee Stadium and series wins in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Arizona, shows that it looks good in the gray.
Arizona Diamondbacks: They play defense.
The Diamondbacks made no mistakes in their two-game sweep of the Brewers in the 2023 Wild Card Series, just one in a 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 they committed seven fewer turnovers than any other team, they flashed the skin again.
Atlanta Braves: They play a 21st century style game.
The Braves lead in hitting and are ranked fourth in home runs. No matter which aspect of the game dominates the postseason, the Braves have shut it down.