MLB · 1 year ago

MLB Postseason: Predicting American League Playoff Field

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Wild Card 3: Boston Red Sox
Amid all the storylines surrounding the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, the Boston Red Sox have flown criminally under the radar. However, given the Orioles and Yankees' struggles leading into the All-Star break, the Red Sox may be playing better baseball than both clubs right now. They are just 4.5 games back of the AL East lead, and I certainly don’t imagine the Red Sox going anywhere. Their offense is humming, and their pitchers are surpassing expectations. If they make a meaningful acquisition at the trade deadline, watch out!
No. 1 Seed (AL East): Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles certainly stumbled into the All-Star break as they lost seven of their final ten games, but we’re not too concerned about their struggles continuing down the stretch. On the mound, Corbin Burnes has a solid chance atop the rotation to take home AL Cy Young honors, while Grayson Rodriguez and Albert Suarez round out a respectable top three. They could use another bullpen piece come playoff time, so it will be interesting to see how aggressive the O’s are in pursuit of a relief pitcher. Still, there is plenty of reason to believe this team can get back atop the AL standings.
No. 2 Seed (AL Central): Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians hold the top spot in the AL by a half-game, continuing to defy expectations and be the biggest surprise in baseball this season. The offense shows no signs of slowing down, the starting rotation keeps churning out respectable outings, and the bullpen continues to be lights out. I’d like to see them add another starter for their postseason run because this team deserves the front office’s commitment to going all in at the deadline. In a perfect world, the Guardians land the best starter on the market, but it’s hard to imagine the front office doing such a thing.
No. 3 Seed (AL West): Houston Astros
The Houston Astros currently sit just a game back of the Seattle Mariners, and I struggle to see how the Mariners can win the AL West. Not only are the Astros getting stronger by the week, but the Mariners’ offense is so pathetic that there is no way that they can keep pace for a stretch run. If the Mariners acquire an elite bat, they may hold onto their lead, but the Astros’ track record of success has us believing they’ll ultimately be AL West champions.
Wild Card 1: New York Yankees
The New York Yankees sit just a game back of the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East lead, but I struggle to put them above the O’s. Things could be entirely after the trade deadline, depending on who both teams acquire, but the Yankees' depth is far weaker than the O’s, and it’s already cost them plenty of games. If the Yankees can add an outfield bat and upgrade one of the infield spots, this could be a different story.
Wild Card 2: Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins have been a postseason laughing stock for years, and even though that trend may continue this season, we aren’t predicting their postseason outcome here. We know they’ll get there! On the mound, the Twins have an above-average group of starters and relievers alongside a lineup that keeps producing at the plate. Carlos Correa would warrant AL MVP consideration if the Twins can catch the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central - he’s been that good.
Wild Card 3: Boston Red Sox
Amid all the storylines surrounding the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, the Boston Red Sox have flown criminally under the radar. However, given the Orioles and Yankees' struggles leading into the All-Star break, the Red Sox may be playing better baseball than both clubs right now. They are just 4.5 games back of the AL East lead, and I certainly don’t imagine the Red Sox going anywhere. Their offense is humming, and their pitchers are surpassing expectations. If they make a meaningful acquisition at the trade deadline, watch out!
No. 1 Seed (AL East): Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles certainly stumbled into the All-Star break as they lost seven of their final ten games, but we’re not too concerned about their struggles continuing down the stretch. On the mound, Corbin Burnes has a solid chance atop the rotation to take home AL Cy Young honors, while Grayson Rodriguez and Albert Suarez round out a respectable top three. They could use another bullpen piece come playoff time, so it will be interesting to see how aggressive the O’s are in pursuit of a relief pitcher. Still, there is plenty of reason to believe this team can get back atop the AL standings.

MLB Postseason: Predicting American League Playoff Field

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