After a chaotic Wildcard round that saw three road teams go in and advance to the division series, it’s time to preview the next round of the 2024 MLB postseason. As the field shortens to eight, these gritty wildcard teams will now have to take on the four best teams in the league to advance to the championship series round.
2. Cleveland Guardians vs. 6. Detroit Tigers
The first ALDS offers us an AL Central matchup that has been pretty split across this 2024 season. The Guardians are 7-6 against the Tigers this season, taking the final two of their most recent series dating back to late July.
Since then the Tigers have become the most feared team left in the American League side of the bracket in this postseason. They’re fresh off of a sweep over the Astros in Houston, and with AJ Hinch managing, fans have to feel great heading into Cleveland.
Impact Performers:
Cleveland Guardians: Jose Ramirez 3B, Josh Naylor 1B, Emmanuel Clase RP, Gavin Williams SP
The Guardians’ impact players offer multiple all stars and a solid young starter looking to breakout more in this postseason. Jose Ramirez is well known for what he accomplished in his sixth all star season. He nearly joined the 40/40 club, stealing 41 bases and slugging 39 home runs. In 49 at bats against the Tigers this season, Ramirez has a .347 batting average with five home runs.
Naylor is a known power threat from the left side. Against the Tigers, Naylor has hit for a .300 batting average in 40 at bats with three home runs. The 2024 All Star will look to be a bat that can shift momentum with one swing as he’s done in the past.
The pitching staff is headlined by the best closer in baseball: Emmanuel Clase. There’s no team in baseball that can comfortably face Clase and although the Tigers are familiar with the right hander, they’ll have their work cut out late in games if they have to retake leads with him on the mound.
The Guardians need starting pitching to shine to advance through this ALDS. 25-year old Gavin Williams is one of those arms that will be relied upon in this series. The former Guardians #2 overall prospect has solid numbers against Detroit, with a 1.65 ERA in three starts.
Detroit Tigers: Andy Ibanez UT, Colt Keith 2B, Tarik Skubal SP, Tyler Holton RP
The Tigers impact players for this series aren’t necessarily the most notable names in the lineup. Andy Ibanez is coming off of a great Wildcard series where he saw the ball very well. He contributed massively, recording the game winning bases clearing double to finish the sweep on the Astros.
Colt Keith is another bat in the middle of this lineup to look at during this series. Against the Guardians, Keith has a .286 batting average and an .864 OPS with a pair of home runs. The rookie in his first postseason will continue to be a key contributor in this lineup.
Tarik Skubal has dominated the entire league all season and the Guardians were no exception. His one start against Cleveland, he went seven innings pitched and if he’s able to replicate that the Tigers will be tough to beat.
Another arm to watch in this ALDS is Tyler Holton. He’ll be used a lot in this series most likely as both an opener and a reliever. He’s allowed no earned runs in six appearances against Cleveland this season.
Prediction: Tigers in 5
The Tigers are rolling right now and are looking like the toughest team to beat in this postseason. With Skubal and a bullpen game, the Tigers can take two wins right there but a quality start from Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams can take two right back forcing a game five. In a winner-takes-all game five, AJ Hinch’s group seems like the more prepared group to take the series.
1. New York Yankees vs. 5. Kansas City Royals
The second ALDS matchup gives us a clash of the two that dueled it out for American League MVP the whole season: Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. Aaron Boone’s 2024 Yankees will sport Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm Jr. as well, making for a star studded division series.
The Yankees lead this series 5-2 in 2024, and look to take this series to get one step closer at a chance at their 28th championship. The Royals on the other hand will look to defy the odds, and take out their historic rival.
Impact Performers:
New York Yankees: Aaron Judge CF, Juan Soto RF, Gleyber Torres 2B, Austin Wells C, Carlos Rodon SP, Luke Weaver CP
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have been the dynamic duo Yankees fans have waited for, and their bats will be relied upon the most in high leverage moments. The two combined for only a pair of home runs against Kansas City this season, but the AL MVP with a former World Series champion should be the most feared duo left in this postseason.
Gleyber Torres and Austin Wells are two bats that have stepped up immensely to help the Yankees win the AL East and take the number one spot in the postseason. Against the Royals, both have put up great numbers. Wells in 14 at bats has a .357 average and a 1.232 OPS. Torres with a team high 28 at bats against Kansas City has a .321 average and an .851 OPS.
While Gerrit Cole is obviously the biggest impact pitcher in the Yankees staff, Carlos Rodon has looked great against Kansas City this season. Rodon in his two starts posted a 2.08 ERA in 13.0 innings pitched, good for two quality starts.
With Luke Weaver entering the closer role late in the season, he’ll be one of the most important arms to the Yankees success. In four appearances against Kansas City, Weaver has allowed no earned runs, striking out six in 4.2 innings pitched.
Impact Performers:
Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. SS, Salvador Perez C, Seth Lugo SP, Lucas Erceg CP
The Kansas City offense is headlined by 24-year old superstar Bobby Witt Jr. In 30 at bats against the Yankees, Witt has hit for a .364 batting average and an .887 OPS. His bat will be a known presence in this series, as well as his defense and his speed on the basepaths.
The veteran leadership from World Series champion Salvador Perez has been apparent all season. In 21 at bats against the Yankees, Perez has recorded a .429 batting average and a 1.107 OPS. He’s one of the most dangerous threats in this lineup, and he knows what it takes to get his group deep into October.
In two starts against the Yankees, Seth Lugo has been great. In 14.0 innings pitched, Lugo tallied 14 strikeouts and posted a 2.57 ERA. Quality starts from the Royals rotation is essential to keeping this team in games, and if the starters are on they’ll be a tough team to beat.
Late in games Lucas Erceg has been a great closer for the Royals. He hasn’t allowed a run in 2.0 innings pitched against the Yankees, and in this postseason he picked up two crucial saves to advance Kansas City into this ALDS.
Prediction: Yankees in 4
The Yankees are the far better team here coming into this series, but the Royals can make this very interesting if their pitching staff is on. If the starters like Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans give good starts, the Royals can certainly get some wins in this series. However with a star studded lineup and home field advantage, the Yankees have everything they need to take care of business.
