MLB Playoff: Who are the favorites?
The MLB playoffs are just around the corner and promise to be an unpredictable spectacle. For the second consecutive season, no team seems on track to win 100 or more games, suggesting great parity in the majors. This could generate strong emotions in October. Faced with this situation, Alofoke Deportes consulted 19 players, executives, and baseball scouts to find out their predictions: Who will be the team to beat in the National League? And in the American League? While the answers were diverse, there was a general consensus: a “sleeper” team that could surprise in October. Here are the experts’ opinions on the upcoming postseason.National League: Who is the team to beat?
Milwaukee Brewers: 7 votes
(Phillies, 5; Dodgers, 4; Padres, 2; Mets, 1) The voting was very close, considering that the Brewers compete with the Dodgers, the current champions, and the Phillies, with an expensive roster. These teams dominated the poll, leaving few votes for other contenders.While all three teams have the potential to reach the World Series, the Dodgers have a clear advantage in terms of offensive power, outperforming Philadelphia and Milwaukee in home runs during the regular season. However, the Phillies have the best closer of the three, a crucial element for tight October games.
Despite this, the Brewers led the survey due to their consistent performance in all areas, as well as having a solid and healthy starting pitching staff.Why the Brewers?
“They seem like a team with a solid plan and a cohesive approach. They are on the same page. I like how they play. They’ve done it all year; why couldn’t they keep it up?”
National League Player
“They still have to figure out the back end of the bullpen, but in a short series, they have the luxury of sending one of their good starters to the bullpen. And they could hit enough home runs to stay in the fight in October.”
National League Scout
“Taking the direct pass will be huge for them. They’ve been eliminated in those short series several times; this will allow them to breathe a little. Also, their starting pitching staff is very good. If I were Milwaukee, I’d want the longer series.”
National League Executive
Main threats for Brewers
Philadelphia Phillies
“It’s simple for me. They still have good pitching and they’ve already been there. The playoffs are about home runs, and they can hit them.”
National League Player
“Their lineup is a bit reliant on the top bats, but they have enough at the bottom to get the job done. If those guys show up, then that lineup is really good. Their bullpen is incredible with Jhoan Duran.”
National League Player
“Is this your last chance, right? They have older players, some of whom will be free agents at the end of the season. I just can’t imagine Bryce Harper ending his career without a ring, and this is his best opportunity, even without Zack Wheeler.”
National League Executive
Los Angeles Dodgers
“When we play against them, they didn’t have a good series, but they seem to turn it on when needed. That’s the sign of a champion. I think their offense will have a great October and lead them like it did last year.”
National League Player
“Talent will prevail, and they have the potential to have the healthiest pitching staff of the entire year in October.”
National League Executive
What if it’s not Milwaukee, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles?
The reality is that these opinions were given before the recent downfall of the Mets, who had a streak of eight consecutive losses. However, anyone can catch fire at the right moment, as the Mets demonstrated the previous year. But, before thinking about going far in the postseason, they have to secure their place in the October party. The Padres are difficult to predict, but that doesn’t make them less dangerous. Their offense can go into hibernation at times, but they can silence anyone in the late innings. Their bullpen is very good and could take them far despite the absence of Jason Adam.San Diego Padres
“I like San Diego. They’re hungry. They made all the right moves at the deadline. And they have the experience of being close, but not quite making it to the end.”
National League Player
“There’s a lot I like about San Diego, but they can still be outpitched even with their deadline additions. It’s like they disappear sometimes. If they survive a wild-card round and get some home games, the energy of Petco [Park] could wake them up. They still have a great bullpen.”
National League Executive
New York Mets
“The Mets are really good. I know they’ve struggled, but I trust they’ll turn it on like they did in the postseason last year. Sometimes, you leave the worst of baseball behind and find your rhythm. I like the Mets to do that.”
National League Player
“Their 1-9 alignment has to carry them. I’m not sure how they’ll put it together on the mound, but sometimes you find rookie magic in an arm or two. If two of Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat can succeed, why not the Mets?”
National League Scout
American League: Who is the team to beat?
Toronto Blue Jays: 6 votes(Tigers, 5; Yankees, 3; Red Sox, 3; Astros, 2) The voting was even closer in the American League than in the National League, with four teams receiving three or more votes. The Blue Jays edged out the competition by a single vote. The home-field advantage could be decisive for the top two teams in the American League, as both dominate at home but hover around .500 on the road. The Tigers play very well at Comerica Park, where they can run wild on the bases and go from first to third. And, of course, they have Tarik Skubal at the top of their rotation. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays can make the recently renovated Rogers Centre vibrate as loudly as any major league stadium. First place in the American League is up for grabs down the stretch, and it’s very likely that one of these two teams will get it.Why the Blue Jays?
“They are one of the most complete teams in the American League. They have some experience, especially in the rotation, and they have a bit of everything in the lineup. It’s difficult to compete with that in a series. I think they have the most complete team.”
American League Player
“As good as Bo Bichette, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and George Springer have been, it’s the contributions from guys on the left side of the plate like Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger that make Toronto truly dangerous. They have some balance, which has eluded them.”
American League Scout
“I love their team, but I question their bullpen. It hasn’t been very strong in the second half. Tommy Nance could be a guy to lean on.”
American League Executive
Main threat to the Blue Jays
Detroit Tigers
“Detroit is at the top of that list [of teams to beat]. They know how to win. That’s the key. They proved it last offseason. And they’ve turned that park into a good home-field advantage. I know they go from first to third better than anyone. That’s a key, playing in that stadium.”
American League Player
“Sometimes, watching a team play a lot can give a more negative opinion than their record indicates, and sometimes it can be a more positive opinion than their record indicates. With the Tigers, it’s the latter. And they already have a pretty good record.”
American League Scout
“I’ve tried to complete playoff rotations without a true ace. It’s really difficult. That’s why having Tarik Skubal makes a difference for me. Unless he runs out of gas, Detroit is my pick.”
American League Executive
What if it’s not Toronto or Detroit?
It can be argued that any of the wild card teams, depending on where the Astros finish (as they are still in a tight divisional battle with Seattle), could surprise in October, with the big-game experience emanating from the Astros and Yankees lineups. New York can also hit home runs, of course, while the return of Yordan Alvarez makes Houston’s offense even more dangerous. On the other hand, the Red Sox have only reached the postseason once (2021) since winning the World Series in 2018. However, they have a balanced lineup with playoff leadership in the form of Alex Bregman. In addition, Aroldis Chapman is among the best closers.New York Yankees
“I think their bullpen will be on fire, and [they] have enough power bats to overcome a weaker field in the American League.”
American League Executive
Boston Red Sox
“It’s the Red Sox. They’re playing good baseball. They have formidable pitching, starting with Garrett Crochet, and their lineup is cohesive and seems to be having fun together. They know how to win with Bregman there.”
American League Player
Houston Astros
“Everyone is forgetting that Yordan Alvarez missed most of the season. He makes a difference. And when we played against them, Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown were as good as any two pitchers. Houston is my pick.”
American League Player
The October Surprise Team: Seattle Mariners
Until recently, the Mariners had not shown their best game, so they are considered the “sleeping” team. The interviewees on Alofoke Deportes mentioned that Seattle has more potential than any other team.“A team that can really catch fire and isn’t playing its best baseball is Seattle. That pitching staff is legitimate. Cal Raleigh hit 50 [home runs], but they have other guys who are made for that moment, the moment in the spotlight. Randy Arozarena and Eugenio Suárez are two of them. They are made to win at the end.”
American League Player
“It’s one of those lineups where everyone is waiting for them to put it all together. Their rotation is very talented, and they have one of the best closers in the league. I think they’re one of those teams that, if they catch fire at the right time, nobody can beat them.”
National League Player
“Seattle has one of its best teams we’ve seen in years. If there’s a true “sleeper” in this entire playoff field, it’s the Seattle Mariners.”
American League Executive
“Seattle is my ‘sleeper’ team. I think a down year for pitching in Seattle could turn their fortunes around in the postseason with their starters improving.”
American League Executive
