The playoff bracket is nearly set. In the National League the East has yet to be won. In the American League the East and West have yet to be won. In both leagues the race for the last two Wild Card spots is going down to the wire. So today’s article will cover the teams who are fighting and may go down to the last out of the season before knowing they are in the playoffs.
With just a handful of games left in the regular season, several teams are still fighting tooth and nail for those final playoff spots. It’s not just the usual suspects either—there are some surprises in the mix that have made this final stretch even more unpredictable. The last series of the season between Astros versus Guardians, Royals versus Braves, and Twins versus Orioles are all making things extremely interesting as the bracket is still very much up for grabs with only one of those teams already having printed their ticket to the playoffs, the Cleveland Guardians.
Let’s start with the Houston Astros vs Cleveland Guardians. The Astros, perennial contenders, find themselves in a battle not just for seeding but for their playoff lives. Injuries have plagued their pitching staff, and the offense has been inconsistent down the stretch. Yet, as always, the Astros are tough, with veterans like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman leading the charge. Meanwhile, the Guardians, a team known for pitching dominance, have kept pace despite an offense that hasn’t always clicked. Their ace Shane Bieber has been lights out and will likely only throw a few innings, if that, so he is fresh for the playoffs as a result. Their matchups against each other this coming weekend might wind up being pivotal in determining if the Astros are Western Division Champions or hold a Wild Card Spot if the Astros do not find a way to shut down the Seattle Mariners the next couple days.
The Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves have made things interesting as well. Both teams are a battling for Wild Card spots even though the Braves, who are defending champions, were expected to win the NL East again. This is a result of a lot of late season injuries they’ve been battling through since mid-August. Kansas City has been playing some of its best baseball in September, with Bobby Witt Jr. leading a young core that seems to be clicking at just the right time. The Royals have found themselves in the mix for a Wild Card sport thanks to playing spoiler a few a few times in the last month or so. The Braves can’t afford to take them lightly. While Atlanta is almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, securing home-field advantage is still on the line, and the Royals are hungry to make their mark. Both of these teams must remember that nothing is ever a guarantee until it is written in stone.
Then there is the Minnesota Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles are in a battle that could reshape the entire playoff picture. The Twins have been one of the most consistent teams in the AL Central this year, but with the Guardians hot on their heels, they need to finish strong. So, while the Orioles have already locked up a the top Wild Card spot it is because they’ve been rejuvenated by Adley Rutschman and a young core of players. The Twins vs Orioles series the last weekend of season will be one to watch, as it could decide if the Twins make it to the playoffs after battling a lot of adversity this season.
The AL Wild Card race will also ride on the outcomes the Oakland A’s vs. Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox this weekend too because the Mariners and Tigers are both in the race as well as this article gets published because there is only one game separating the two teams. It is also a possibility though that the A’s and White Sox will be playing spoiler depending how the games go the next three days.
Here’s the thing folks: All of these matchups appear as if they will make the 2024 playoff race in The AL one for the ages. With so many teams still in the mix, there’s no telling how things will shake out. What we do know is that every game from here on out is a must-win, and the pressure is on for nearly every team involved. Whether it’s the Astros, Mariners, Tigers, Orioles, or Kansas City who win the Wild Card race and the AL West this final stretch is full of drama and excitement. As fans, this is what we live for—down-to-the-wire finishes where anything can happen.
With that… the playoffs just around the corner, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top. One thing is for sure: this is going to be a finish we’ll be talking about for years to come.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!