MLB playoffs kick off in October – arguably the most exciting and interactive part of the 162-game regular season. Just twelve of the thirty teams set the stage for a four-round elimination bracket where fans devotedly follow their favorite teams – picking new favorites as theirs are eliminated.
While some of the series’ winners are no surprise, such as the Padres over the Braves, who were already expected to win, there have been just as many come-from-behind victories these past few weeks.
The final four teams are going head to head this next week in the divisional championships where the winners will go on to the 2024 World Series on Oct. 25.
Dodgers and Mets
The New York Mets were one of the last teams to qualify for the playoffs. After losing 15 games in a 19-game stretch in May, shortstop Francisco Lindor called a players-only meeting letting the team finish the season with 89 wins and 73 losses. They went on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in the 3-game wild card series, followed by the Philadelphia Phillies in a stunning 5-game upset. Despite having an offense made up of heavy hitters like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Nick Castellanos, the Phillies’ season ended with a grand slam by Lindor and the Mets’ resulting 4-1 victory. From there, the Mets moved on to the NL Championship series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers skipped the first round of the playoffs after clinching the top position in the National League West during the regular season. They then won the West in a five-game series against the San Diego Padres, coming back after a two-game deficit following the third game. The fifth game of the series started off with a bang as second baseman Enrique “Kike” Hernández homered off of Padres starter Yu Darvish. Another home run from left fielder Teoscar Hernández sealed the Dodgers’ 2-0 victory
Los Angeles currently leads the Mets 3-1 in the NL Championship Series.
Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees
After skipping the wildcard playoff round, the Cleveland Guardians came out on top in a 3-2 series against the Detroit Tigers, who had previously eliminated the Houston Astros. The Guardians’ victory solidified their reputation as a force to be reckoned with this postseason. With a powerhouse offense like left-fielder Steven Kwan, designated hitter David Fry, and third baseman Jose Ramirez, Cleveland still has a chance against the Yankees, the third-best team of the 2024 season.
The Yankees also skipped the wildcard round and shut down the Kansas City Royals. The Royals’ powerhouse hitters, such as shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., caused a scene this year but fell short in the postseason — this combined with Yankees bullpen and Yankee starters Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil both standing at under 4.0 ERA (earned run average in an inning) led to Kansas City’s demise just 4 games in.
The two victors are facing each other in the AL Championship series, where the Yankees are ahead of the Guardians at 2-1.
From the East to the West, the 2024 playoffs have been as riveting as one would expect from the most thrilling time of the year. Baseball fanatics across the continent eagerly anticipate the 7-game World Series, where the league champions will close out a truly captivating season.
