The 2024 MLB season is just around the corner, and baseball enthusiasts can’t wait to see their favorite teams in action. As the crack of the bat and the smell of freshly cut grass fill the air, fans are starting to speculate about which teams will reign supreme come October. MLB.com has gathered the insights of industry experts, who are predicting the division winners and ultimately, the champion of the World Series. From the AL East to the NL West, these predictions are shaping up to be a wild ride. Which teams will rise to the top, and who will fall short of the postseason? Let’s take a closer look at the predictions and see which experts are calling it right.
2024 MLB Postseason Predictions: Expert Picks for Division Winners and World Series Champion
As the 2024 MLB playoffs kick off on Tuesday afternoon, 12 teams will be vying for the ultimate prize: the World Series trophy. The Dodgers, who enter October with MLB’s best record, look to cement their dynasty of recent years with a second World Series victory to go with their 2020 title. Meanwhile, the Phillies will try to go on yet another October run to the Fall Classic. With the Yankees returning to the playoffs after missing them last year, they’ll look to capitalize on the duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto to win their first title since 2009. This year’s postseason seems as wide open as ever, so don’t expect red-hot wild-card teams like the Tigers and Padres to go down without a fight. We asked 27 of our MLB experts from ESPN.com, TV, ESPN Research, and more to give us their predictions. Below are their picks for the wild-card winners, division series winners, league championship series winners, and World Series champion.
Divisional Showdowns and Wild-Card Series
American League Wild-Card Series Analysis
The American League features a competitive wild-card series, with two of the top contenders facing off against each other. First up, the Detroit Tigers are set to take on the Houston Astros in the ALWC. The Tigers will need to overcome the favorites in order to emerge victorious.
- Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros: How the Tigers Will Take Down the Favorites
- Detroit Tigers will take down the Astros because — though, not only because — Tarik Skubal will win a Game 1 duel against Framber Valdez. The Tigers will win because Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, who has been out with a knee injury for more than a week, might play but won’t be 100 percent. They’ll win because Detroit manager A.J. Hinch is a master at running a postseason bullpen, and he has seven relievers with sub-3.00 ERAs since the trade deadline. And besides — who picks against such a cool story?
- Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles: The Crucial Advantage for the Royals
- The Royals need to win Game 1 in order to knock out the Orioles. Winning that wild-card spot early at least gave the Royals the luxury of holding Cole Ragans back to make the Game 1 start, and Seth Lugo is available for the deciding game if it’s needed. That’s big for this team, which had the majors’ best rotation ERA (3.55) among playoff teams. Getting the edge with Ragans over Corbin Burnes will probably be critical.
Divisional Showdowns and Wild-Card Series
National League Wild-Card Series Insights
The National League also features a competitive wild-card series, with two of the top contenders facing off against each other. First up, the New York Mets are set to take on the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLWC. The Mets are the underdogs in this matchup, but they have a few advantages that could help them pull off the upset.
- New York Mets vs. Milwaukee Brewers: Can the Mets Overcome the Odds?
- The Mets will be exhausted after their Milwaukee-Atlanta-Milwaukee travel schedule over the past three days — not to mention the playoff celebration on Monday — but if momentum means anything, then Francisco Lindor’s game-winning home run to clinch a spot in October gave the Mets all the additional energy they’ll need for this series. And while the Brewers have the advantage in the bullpen, they will still have to set their pen up for success to begin with, and Milwaukee’s starting pitching doesn’t generate the swing-and-miss you’d like to see from a playoff rotation.
- Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres: Why the Padres Are the Clear Favorites
- The Padres got every single vote, and they’re the clear favorites to move on to the next round. They hit on a couple of key components that make them a team prepped for a postseason run. They’re hot (best record and run differential since the All-Star Game) and deep in high-octane bullpen arms with high-leverage experience. This guarantees them nothing, but the Padres look primed for the moment, while the Braves are limping.
Division Series Predictions: Expert Insights
American League Division Series Analysis
The American League Division Series features some exciting matchups, with the top contenders facing off against each other. First up, the AL East features a rematch between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays will need to overcome the favorites in order to emerge victorious.
- AL East: Rays vs. Blue Jays – Can the Rays’ Strong Bullpen Carry Them?
- The Rays will need to win Game 1 in order to knock out the Blue Jays. Tampa Bay’s strong bullpen has been a key factor in their success this season, and they’ll need to continue that trend to take down the favorites.
- AL Central: White Sox vs. Guardians – The Guardians’ Momentum Will Take Them Far
- The Guardians are looking to build on their momentum from the regular season, and they’ll need to keep that going in order to take down the White Sox. Cleveland’s strong offense and pitching staff will make them a force to be reckoned with in this series.
- AL West: Astros vs. Mariners – Can the Mariners’ Young Talent Overcome the Astros?
- The Mariners are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs, and they’ll need to overcome the favorites in order to take down the Astros. Seattle’s young talent has been impressive this season, and they’ll need to continue that trend to take down Houston.
Division Series Predictions: Expert Insights
National League Division Series Insights
The National League Division Series features some exciting matchups, with the top contenders facing off against each other. First up, the NL East features a rematch between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies will need to overcome the favorites in order to emerge victorious.
- NL East: Phillies vs. Braves – The Phillies Will Try to Go on Yet Another October Run
- The Phillies are looking to go on yet another October run, and they’ll need to keep that momentum going in order to take down the Braves. Philadelphia’s strong offense and pitching staff will make them a force to be reckoned with in this series.
- NL Central: Brewers vs. Dodgers – The Dodgers Will Look to Cement Their Dynasty
- The Dodgers are looking to cement their dynasty of recent years, and they’ll need to keep that momentum going in order to take down the Brewers. Los Angeles’ strong offense and pitching staff will make them a force to be reckoned with in this series.
- NL West: Padres vs. Giants – The Padres Will Look to Keep Their Momentum Going
- The Padres are looking to keep their momentum going, and they’ll need to overcome the favorites in order to take down the Giants. San Diego’s strong offense and pitching staff will make them a force to be reckoned with in this series.
MLB Experts Predict Each Division Winner (and WS Champ!) – MLB.com
Gizmoposts24 has compiled the predictions of 27 MLB experts from ESPN.com, TV, ESPN Research, and more for the wild-card winners, division series winners, league championship series winners, and World Series champion.
NL East: Phillies vs. Braves – A Battle of Two Powerhouses
Our experts are divided on this one, with some predicting a close series and others citing the Phillies’ advantage in pitching. MLB.com’s experts have the Phillies winning, but the Braves are not far behind.
NL Central: Brewers vs. Cubs – The Cubs’ Slumping Momentum Will Hurt Them
The Brewers are expected to take down the Cubs, who have struggled with slumping offense and a lackluster pitching staff. The Brewers’ strong bullpen will be key in this series.
NL West: Dodgers vs. Padres – The Padres’ Hot Streak Will Take Them to the Next Round
The Padres are riding a hot streak and are expected to take down the Dodgers. The Padres’ high-powered offense and deep bullpen will be too much for the Dodgers to handle.
American League Championship Series Insights
ALCS: Yankees vs. Guardians – Can the Yankees’ Star Power Carry Them?
Our experts are split on this one, with some predicting a close series and others citing the Yankees’ depth of talent. The Guardians’ strong pitching will be key in this series.
ALCS: Rays vs. Mariners – The Mariners’ Young Talent Will Shine in the ALCS
The Mariners are expected to take down the Rays, who have struggled with injuries and a lackluster offense. The Mariners’ young talent and strong pitching will be key in this series.
National League Championship Series Analysis
NLCS: Phillies vs. Dodgers – The Dodgers’ Experience Will Trump the Phillies
Our experts are predicting the Dodgers to take down the Phillies, who have struggled with slumping offense and a lackluster pitching staff. The Dodgers’ experience and depth of talent will be key in this series.
NLCS: Brewers vs. Padres – The Padres’ Hot Streak Will Carry Them to the World Series
The Padres are expected to take down the Brewers, who have struggled with slumping offense and a lackluster pitching staff. The Padres’ hot streak and deep bullpen will be key in this series.
World Series Predictions: Expert Picks
Who Will Win the 2024 World Series?
Our experts have a wide range of predictions for the World Series, with some predicting the Yankees to take down the Dodgers and others citing the Padres to take down the Phillies. The 2024 World Series is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in years.
The Factors That Will Influence the World Series Outcome
The factors that will influence the World Series outcome are numerous, including the teams’ pitching staffs, offense, and bullpen. The teams’ ability to adapt to each other’s strengths and weaknesses will be key in determining the champion.
A Look at the Contenders and Dark Horses in the World Series Run
Our experts have identified several contenders and dark horses in the World Series run, including the Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, and Red Sox. The teams’ chances of making it to the World Series will depend on their ability to stay healthy and hot throughout the postseason.
Conclusion
As the MLB season approaches, experts have weighed in on their predictions for division winners and the World Series champion. According to the article, some of the top contenders have emerged, with teams from the American League West and National League Central looking strong. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are expected to dominate their respective divisions, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves are favored to take the top spots in their leagues.
The significance of these predictions lies in their potential impact on the upcoming season. A team’s performance in the regular season can greatly affect its chances of making the playoffs and ultimately winning the World Series. By getting a head start on the competition, teams can refine their strategies and make adjustments before the season gets underway. Moreover, the predictions can also influence fan expectations and create a sense of excitement and anticipation around the league.
As the new season begins, fans can expect to see these teams vying for supremacy. With a talented roster and a well-executed game plan, any team can make a deep run in the playoffs. However, it’s the teams that can adapt and evolve that will ultimately emerge victorious. As the saying goes, “Champions are made in the October.” The question on everyone’s mind is: who will be the ones to make history this year?
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