2024 AL Playoff Predictions
2024 AL Playoff Predictions
Only because it's so fun to predict who will make the MLB postseason, despite the 162-game grind that changes everything.
I pride myself on getting all four of my Wild Card series predictions correct in 2023.
The Rangers, Twins, Phillies, and Diamondbacks served me well. Unfortunately, that was all there was to be happy about regarding my Major League Baseball crystal ball last season. After going a meager 50% or 6-for-12 with my playoff predictions, I figured “It can’t get any worse, right?”
The first pitch of the 2024 MLB season has already been thrown, yet I’m not counting Opening Day until March 28; when all 30 clubs participate. So, naturally, these predictions still count — *sarcastic voice* of course they’ll be perfectly correct.
Because the average American doesn’t like to read more than 3 minutes at a time anymore, I’ll shorten things up to make things simple.
Here’s my 2024 American League playoff seeding:
#1 — Baltimore Orioles
#2 — Houston Astros
#3 — Detroit Tigers
#4 — Texas Rangers
#5 — New York Yankees
#6 — Seattle Mariners
My division winners:
Why Orioles at #1? The better question is why not? Baltimore won 101 games in ‘23 and got better this winter.
Sure, losing All-Star closer Felix Bautista stings, but the young core of Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and Ryan Mountcastle all have another offseason under their belts. They traded for 2021 NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, and their golden goose in Jackson Holliday seems ready to go. Even in a crowded AL East, they should make the postseason no sweat.
The Astros have won the AL West across every full season since 2016. As long as Jose Altuve is in the lineup all year, I don’t think that will change. Add flamethrowing closer Josh Hader into the mix… this club is built to outlast everyone else over 162.
After improving by 12 wins from 2022 to 2023, AJ Hinch and the Tigers should secure up the AL Central. While this may be the pick I’m least confident about, Tarik Skubal looks like a Cy Young candidate, while Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter should all take leaps forward.
Additions of Mark Canha, Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda, Andrew Chafin, and Gio Urshela, while the Twins and Guardians didn’t do much sealed the deal.
Wild Cards:
Texas is fresh off a World Series title, and despite losing key arms like Jordan Montgomery (probably), and future Hall of Famers Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, their offense is gaining a full season of Evan Carter, and 1st rounders Wyatt Langford.
Surely they won’t miss the playoffs after winning the World Series…right?
I’m more confident in the Yankees making it out of the AL East rather than the Blue Jays or Rays because of one thing — Juan Soto.
Their pitching depth may be suspect, and Gerrit Cole’s health is a question mark, but Juan Soto transforms this team lineup. It is downright impossible to plan against a lineup with Aaron Judge and Soto in the heart of it.
I’m banking on Carlos Rodon to bounce back, and for Marcus Stroman to be a fringe All-Star arm like I know he’s capable of being. Throw in Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, and Caleb Ferguson, this squad has more depth than people think.
Lastly, it’s hard for me not to include the Mariners. Their starting pitching depth may be baseball’s most elite, with Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo rounding out the rotation.
GM Jerry Dipoto dumped high-strikeout players like Teoscar Hernandez and Eugenio Suarez, and added capable bats in Jorge Polanco, Luke Raley, Mitch Garver, and Dominic Canzone, along with fan-favorite Mitch Haniger.
Seattle magic must return.