The MLB playoffs are fast approaching, with some close races in some divisions and wildcard spots, and some playoff spots that aren’t contested at all. Either way, there are teams that are expected to compete for the World Series, and some teams that are on the outside looking in waiting for their chance to take down a contender.
The American League (AL) has the same few teams from last year looking to take the World Series. The Yankees and Astros are once again in the top of their divisions. The Yankees have been on a hot streak as of late after struggling after the All Star break. Aaron Judge has been the backbone of the team’s success, as he has had a historical season, hitting for 60 home runs, as well as a .314 batting average. In contention for a Triple Crown, Judge is a massive part of the team’s success. If he ever cools down during the playoffs, there is a chance that the Yankees are unable to even make it past the second round. But, since that seems unlikely, the Yankees will be looking to compete to be the representative for the American League in the World Series. The Astros will be looking to compete for that spot as well. The Astros have continued to build on their success from previous seasons, winning 101 games of the year so far, and have a 17 game lead in their division. The Astros have a solid core filled with great hitters and a good pitching core as well, setting themselves up for success for yet another year. The loss of George Springer hurts, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting the team all that much.
The Toronto Blue Jays, the Seattle Mariners, and the Tampa Bay Rays are in the wildcard currently, but the Orioles are only four games back. The Blue Jays are most likely the only team that could make any noise against the Yankees and Astros, but the Rays could very well find a way to win, as they did beat the Yankees in the playoffs last year.
In the National League (NL), the Mets, Dodgers, and the Cardinals are all the division leaders in their respective divisions, but the Mets are currently in danger of losing their lead to the Braves. The Braves are only 1.5 games back, and there is a three-game series between the two teams before the season ends. That series will be pivotal in determining who is the winner of that division. The Dodgers are once again back on top, which isn’t surprising at all. The Dodgers have been dominating the entire league for quite some time, as they continue to sign every star player that becomes available, thanks to the salary cap “limitations” that the MLB currently has in place. The Dodgers are currently the favorites to win the World Series, as they are every year. The Mets are looking to go deep in the playoffs for the first time since 2015, but to do so, they will need to get through the Dodgers. The Cardinals are no sleepers either, as they are looking to topple the powerhouses that are the Mets and Dodgers. The Braves are no joke either, as they are super close to winning the NL East from the Mets. However, it is up to the interpretation of fans whether the Braves are capable of such a feat. The Braves, Padres, and Phillies are currently in the Wild Card spots, with the Brewers trailing the Phillies for the last spot by only 1.5 games.
The Padres, on paper, should be able to compete with the Dodgers, but that hasn’t materialized so far. The team has struggled meeting expectations so far this season, but if they get hot at the right time, they could bring down the best teams in the league, including the Dodgers. The Phillies have a tough task ahead of them, and it seems unlikely to most fans that they could make a push past the Mets, Dodgers, or Braves.
The favorites to be in the World Series are the Astros and the Dodgers, with the Dodgers the favorites to win it all. The Mets, Braves, and Yankees are the only teams that could be in the running to win it all. Beating the Dodgers or Astros is going to be a difficult task. But, as long as the MLB playoffs are here, there are sure to be days of great baseball ahead.
