UNDER 5 MINUTES: MLB Playoffs Edition

Mike
October 01, 2024

What’s up!

It’s MLB playoff time, and we’re here to give you the rundown in less than 5 minutes.

Twelve teams made it to the postseason, and eight of those teams will battle it out in the Wild Card round starting tonight.

The Wild Card round is a best of 3 series where the winners will go on to face one of four teams who have a bye. You might be wondering how you get a bye.

The top two division winners in each league get a bye to the Division Series. The third division winner and third Wild Card (seeds 3 and 6) face off in the Wild Card round (best-of-three). The higher seed hosts all three games.

So the Wild Card is best of 3.

The Division Series or you might know it as the ALDS or NLDS is a best of five games. That series will start on October 5.

The winners of the Division Series will face off in the Championship Series also known as the ALCS or the NLCS. The championship series is a best of 7 games series.

You might see where this is going but the winner of the Championship Series will go on to play in the World Series which is also a best of 7.

So now that you know how the playoffs work, let's take a look at the 12 teams hoping to come out of the playoff holding the World Series Trophy.

Here's a breakdown of the 2024 MLB playoff teams and their potential playoff expectations:

American League:

New York Yankees (1st seed) The Yankees have an explosive lineup with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, who each hit over 40 homers. Their pitching staff, now healthier, looks ready for a strong playoff push. After a 15-year World Series drought, it's "championship or bust" for this team.
Cleveland Guardians (2nd seed) The Guardians are underdogs, but their elite bullpen (best in MLB with a 2.57 ERA) could be key in close games. They have a scrappy, nothing-to-lose mentality that could make them dangerous.
Houston Astros (3rd seed) The defending AL West champions are always postseason threats. With a balanced lineup and playoff experience, they aim to return to the World Series. Their pitching depth remains a critical asset.
Baltimore Orioles (4th seed) The Orioles have a young, talented core that’s playoff-tested after a deep run last year. Their "battle-tested" mentality, along with stars like Gunnar Henderson, positions them as a team to watch.
Kansas City Royals (5th seed) Kansas City's rotation, led by Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo, could make the Royals a dark horse. They ranked second in team ERA, giving them a solid foundation for a deep run.
Detroit Tigers (6th seed) The Tigers snuck into the playoffs but could surprise with their underdog mentality. A scrappy lineup and capable bullpen might give them an edge in tight games.

National League:

Los Angeles Dodgers (1st seed) The Dodgers boast the best record in the playoffs (98-64) and home-field advantage. With a deep roster and playoff experience, they’re one of the top contenders for the World Series.
Philadelphia Phillies (2nd seed) After a strong 95-win season, the Phillies are hungry for another World Series appearance. Their potent lineup and experienced pitching staff make them serious contenders.
Milwaukee Brewers (3rd seed) Known for their pitching, the Brewers have a strong rotation and bullpen. Their ability to control games with arms could make them a tough out.
San Diego Padres (4th seed) After barely missing out last year, the Padres return with a vengeance. Their deep lineup and talented pitching staff position them as a tough opponent in any series.
Atlanta Braves (5th seed) Atlanta’s offense is powerful, and they’ve shown resilience all season. Despite being a wild-card team, they have the potential to go deep.
New York Mets (6th seed) The Mets made a late-season push to secure their spot. Their strong starting pitching could be crucial, but they'll need consistent offense to advance.

If you’re looking to make any last-minute bets on World Series winners, you can see all the odds here.

If you’re looking to catch the first games of the Wild Card series, here’s the lineup today.

Alright, there’s your quick playoff guide. Enjoy the games and we’ll see you later this week for college football talk.

Cheers,

The DB