After what was a wildly entertaining 2024 MLB regular season, the Wild Card Series of the playoffs did not disappoint. In just the first three games of the playoffs, we have seen dynasties collapse, underdogs conquer and rookies dominate in unprecedented ways.
Detroit Tigers def. Houston Astros
Coming into this series, the Tigers had already done the seemingly impossible — coming back from the dead to clinch their spot in the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. The Astros — in stark contrast — were looking to continue their reign of dominance over the American League.
After a dominant game one outing from likely Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, the Tigers took a lead that was somewhat expected due to the incredible abilities of their frontline ace. However, coming into the second game, they had no starter lined up, electing instead for a bullpen game. The “Gritty Tigs” didn’t let that stop them: an eighth inning rally capped off by a bases-clearing double by Andy Ibáñez cemented their two-game sweep in what could potentially mark the end of the Astros dynasty.
Kansas City Royals def. Baltimore Orioles
The battle of the two emerging superstar shortstops in baseball — Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson — ended up being a bit of a disappointment. While the series undoubtedly had its moments of excitement, the majority of them came from the pitching matchups. Corbin Burnes shoved in game one going eight innings and conceding one run, while Cole Ragans went six innings without any runs. Similarly, there weren’t many more opportunities in game two, with the biggest disappointment being the O’s squandering a bases-loaded opportunity with zero outs in the fifth that could have pushed the series to three games.
Alas, it was another year of disappointment for O’s fans, marking the 10th straight postseason loss for the franchise stretching back to 2014. However, the Royals do look strong on the back of an incredibly deep pitching rotation, and the offense should hopefully be able to kick into another gear in the next round of the playoffs.
New York Mets def. Milwaukee Brewers
OMG. In what was by far the most competitive and entertaining series of the Wild Card round, the Mets managed to sneak past the Brewers in Game 3 with a late rally in the top of the ninth inning. This series was full of twists and turns that left everyone on the edge of their seat and truly encapsulated what is so great about baseball.
Among all of the chaos that ensued from the first pitch that was thrown, Jackson Chourio stood out from the pack, staking his claim as one of the premier young players in the game. He became just the second player ever to hit two game-tying home runs in a single postseason game — a feat that had previously been accomplished only by the “The Bambino” himself: Babe Ruth.
Despite the extraordinary feat achieved by the 20-year-old, it wasn’t enough, and the Mets managed to top the Brewers in three games. While he didn’t have a great series overall, first baseman Pete Alonso ended up as the hero for the Mets as he blasted a three-run shot to right field (the first off of a Devin Williams changeup all season), setting up what should be an intriguing second-round matchup against division rivals Philadelphia.
San Diego Padres def Atlanta Braves
Even though nothing in baseball is ever a certainty, there was certainly a sense that the Padres should handle business pretty easily in this series. With the Braves facing a number of injuries as well as a double-header on the other side of the country just the day before, they were undoubtedly dealt a difficult hand.
Facing a minor-leaguer to start game one, the Pads didn’t waste any time getting on the board: three-time Batting Champion Luis Arraez knocked an opposite field single, setting it up for Fernando Tatis Jr. to blast a two-run rocket off his bat 415 feet into the second deck in what would set the theme of authority for the rest of the short series. To add onto the domination, Michael King was unhittable, striking out 12 Braves batters en route to victory. The second game, while a bit closer due to the efforts of Michael Harris II, was won in the second inning off the back of a two-RBI triple from the superstar rookie Jackson Merrill, who also became the youngest Padre to register a playoff hit, surpassing his teammate Tatis Jr.
Predictions:
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians
Looking ahead to their series against the Guardians, the Tigers are arguably the hottest team in baseball and will be carrying considerable momentum into their clash with Cleveland. This Guardians team is very strong though, both in their lineup and bullpen with superstars third baseman José Ramirez and closer Emmanuel Clase being surrounded by a very deep team.
However, we have seen time and time again the importance of momentum in the playoffs, especially against a team that will have had almost a week of rest. The Tigers’ hopes fall heavily on the ability of Skubal to potentially pitch twice (most likely in Game 2 and potentially Game 5) but also pitch incredibly well, otherwise it will be very difficult for them to pull through. I do have faith in the Tigers though, and I think that it might not even take a second start from Skubal. The Guardians starting pitching is a considerable question mark, and I believe that the surging bats of Detroit will have enough in them to knock out Cleveland.
Tigers in 4
Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees
It’s pretty clear that the New York Yankees have had the best one-two punch in all of baseball this season with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Alongside the two sluggers stands a very strong pitching staff, headlined by reigning Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole who is backed up by a number of quality arms: Luis Gil, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt. There are some questions surrounding the bullpen, but the closer position seems to have been cemented with the emergence of Luke Weaver.
I may have some slight bias here, having picked the Royals as the team to make a Rangers-esque run before the season even started. However, I believed in them then and I believe in them even more now: the rotation is nasty, the bullpen has seen significant improvements with the addition of Lucas Erceg, and Bobby Witt Jr. exceeded all expectations and will likely finish in second place for MVP. I think the series will be close, and the Royals will undoubtedly have to get the offense operating at a higher level to compete with the gargantuan bats of the Yankees (it is worth noting that Judge and Soto historically don’t have strong numbers against the trio of Wacha, Lugo and Ragans). However, I believe that the Royals have it in them — in which case there would be a lot of questions hovering around the future of the Yankees and Soto.
As a side note, if the Royals can keep on progressing further and further in these playoffs, then the Will Smith Curse may just be completely inevitable...
Royals in 5
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies
There’s a part of me that feels the Mets magic is inevitable — somewhat similar to the Tigers — and that somehow, some way, they will find a way to win. They were all but gone against the Brewers, yet somehow they managed to find a way to emerge victorious. Then the more rational side of my brain kicks in and explains that the Phillies have the Mets outmatched in pretty much every single aspect of the game: lineup, check — starting rotation, check — bullpen, check. On paper, this shouldn’t be a close series, however, I’m stuck with a gut feeling that it will be.
The Mets have been one of the feel-good stories of this MLB season and as ridiculous as it might sound, there is something to be said for good vibes helping a team advance further in baseball. We’ve seen countless times that very talented rosters (such as the Padres in 2023) completely disappoint because the chemistry was not there, and the same can be said for the opposite scenario.
Despite this, I simply can’t look past the pedigree that exists within the Phillies roster. From front-line aces like Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola to lockdown bullpen guys like Matt Strahm and Carlos Estévez, there are few weaknesses with their pitching staff. Take a look down the batting lineup and you’ll find more of the same: Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto and the list goes on.
As much as a Mets win would be electric to see, I simply can’t pick against the Phillies. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a close-fought series that comes down the wire, but I believe that the experience and talent will ultimately put them over the top in this one.
Phillies in 5
San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani’s first appearance in the playoffs. The rematch of the 2022 National League Division Series. A California rivalry. Championship or bust. The narratives are here, and they are strong for the series between the Padres and Dodgers.
Arguably the two most talented teams in the entire MLB, this matchup presents a battle of the juggernauts of the NL West. The Padres, after starting the regular season with a mediocre 50–50 record, turned on the jets and scorched their way to a 93–69 record — almost surpassing the Dodgers on their way to a wildcard spot. The Pads will be hoping that starting pitcher Joe Musgrove is alright after he exited Game 2 against the Braves with “elbow tightness,” however, they still will come into the series with an incredibly strong rotation with the likes of Dylan Cease, Michael King and Yu Darvish.
The Dodgers are facing even greater injury concerns to their rotation with Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw and Gavin Stone all landing on the injured list. With their lineup, though, it makes it a lot easier to look past that. Ohtani is on one of the best stretches of his career, hitting 0.628 over his last 10 games, and he looks primed for playoff baseball. Having Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman as your clean-up hitters isn’t too bad either...
In spite of this, I have faith in the Padres to carry their run of form and ultimately close this series out in four games. The injuries to the Dodgers’ rotation can’t be ignored: Betts has become known as a playoff underperformer over the law few years, and Tatis Jr. has staked his claim as owner of Dodger Stadium — a variable that wasn’t in play during the Padres victory just two years ago due to his suspension.
Padres in 4
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