September 21, 2024; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum was congratulated by right fielder Juan Soto (22) after hitting a three-run home run in the game. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Are you saying there is still a chance?
Yes, Detroit, I am.
And San Diego, Kansas City, Minnesota…even you, Seattle.
Just ask the Giants, Royals, Cubs, Red Sox, Nationals and Rangers 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 a big reason for optimism for teams that have locked up a playoff spot or are likely to play next week…
american league
New York Yankees: They have Aaron Judge; you don't know.
The single-season postseason home run record is 10 by Randy Arozarena of the Rays in 2020. Base hit. The playoffs can be played with at least 22 games. You do the math.
Cleveland Guardians: They can bunt.
Remember the little ball? It may come in handy as the weather gets colder in October. No one plays small ball better than the Guardians, who have a .677 bunt percentage this season. Six seventy-seven.
Houston Astros: They've been there, done that.
Source: Getty Images The Astros have nine more postseason wins (62) than any other team during Jose Altuve's 14-year career and Alex Bregman's nine-year career 14 more games (59) than any other team and 21 more (44) in Yordan Alvarez's six-year career. It's contagious.
Baltimore Orioles: They're fun.
Let's be honest: Don't you want to see Jackson Holliday make his playoff debut? Gunnar Henderson’s first three-peat postseason? Adley Rutschman's first postseason home run? This could be the next Altuve Bregman Alvarez. stay tuned.
Kansas City Royals: They kept the ball in the park.
The Royals are the team allowing the fewest home runs in the majors this season. Where they were stingiest was in overtime, not allowing one all year. It's worth noting that there was only one overtime game in last year's playoffs, and it was a home run win.
Detroit Tigers: They have an ace.
August 24, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) pitches during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Field. One ball. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Do you want to advance in the playoffs? Win the first game. Tarik Skubal is double trouble for any opponent in the series opener. First, he's easily the best starter in the American League. Second, he's as likely as any pitcher to last seven innings and save the bullpen for another day, setting the stage for future success.
Minnesota Twins: They're healthy.
Royce Lewis has played in just 76 games this season, Carlos Correa has played in 82 games, and Byron Buxton has played in 98 games. Got better. Lewis played in all seven games this past week, while Correa and Buxton started six each. The key is Buxton; the Twins are 54-44 when he's able to climb the dugout steps this season.
Seattle Mariners: They know how to destroy their enemies.
Nothing can ruin a series like a ninth-inning lead. The Mariners are less worried than most teams. They have only allowed 34 runs in the ninth inning all season. Opponents won't want to see Andres Munoz, a severely underrated closer who has allowed just 18 hits in 47 ninth-inning games this year.
national league
Dodgers: They have Shohei Ohtani…wait for it.
September 19, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) steals third base during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Rental Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Remember when the Dodgers' lineup was considered top-heavy? Well, still. With a 118-run lead eliminated, they are one week away from breaking the all-time record of 122 set by the Astros in 2019. However, let's give a little credit to the No. 8 and No. 9 hitters, who have allowed the third (73) and second (78) runs scored, respectively, in baseball this season.
Philadelphia Phillies: They have a good team.
That's no surprise considering the Phillies' recent postseason success, having one of the best records in baseball this season against teams currently with a .500 record or better (50-40). If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
Milwaukee Brewers: They can run.
When you have a roster full of Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz and Sal Frelick, there's only one thing you have to do: run. The Brewers stole more bases than any team entering the postseason, which helps explain how a team that ranked 15th in home runs scored the fifth-most runs. The Brewers have a record of 70-34 with at least one stolen base this season.
San Diego Padres: They forced action.
Sep 14, 2024; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Diego Padres infielder Luis Alaes (4) hits a double during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images Luis Alaes had three strikeouts last week. This is big news. Here's the bigger news: He has a group of teammates who are tough to strike out. No team has been worse this season, and not even close. How to beat a heavyweight pitcher? By putting the ball in play.
New York Mets: They won on the road.
If a wild card team wants to challenge the heavyweight teams, it must seize home court advantage. The Mets' 41-34 road record, which includes a two-game sweep at Yankee Stadium and series wins in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Arizona, shows they look good in gray.
Arizona Diamondbacks: They play defense.
The Diamondbacks committed no errors in a two-game sweep of the Brewers in the 2023 Wild Card Series and committed just one error in a three-game elimination of the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, a 4-3 victory over the Brewers The team also made only four turnovers in the game. This regular season, they showed their leather again when they committed seven fewer turnovers than any other team.
Atlanta Braves: They play in the 21st century style.
The Braves led the majors in strikeouts and were fourth in home runs. No matter which aspect of the game dominates in the playoffs, the Warriors can do it.