We’re down to eight teams as the postseason moves to the division series starting Saturday. Here, we break down each remaining team and look at an under-the-radar player who could play a major role in who moves on to the championship series.
8. Detroit Tigers
What we like: Somebody let the Tigers get hot. This team has incredible momentum right now as A.J. Hinch has pressed all the right buttons and everyone on the roster is pulling on the same rope. Tarik Skubal might be the best pitcher in MLB right now, and despite the offense lacking real star power, Hinch has the ability to mix and match depending on the opposition’s pitching. Detroit’s playing with house money, and that’s a dangerous thing for whoever has to face them.
Area of concern: While it feels somewhat disrespectful to rank the Tigers last, we have our concerns with their ability to win a longer series with such limited starting pitching. Hinch already had to deploy “pitching chaos” in Game 2. Even with Skubal likely to start twice in the ALDS, it’ll be tough to potentially get through five games. Hinch’s decision in Game 2 to use rookie Jackson Jobe almost blew up in his face, so we’ll see how much confidence the manager has in the right-hander in high leverage moving forward.
Underrated player to watch: Kerry Carpenter. Expect to see a lot of Carpenter against the Guardians. The 27-year-old destroys right-handed pitching, posting a .994 OPS against righties in 264 plate appearances this season.
7. Kansas City Royals
What we like: Bobby Witt Jr. showed the many ways he can impact a game against the Orioles. He drove in two of the three runs Kansas City scored, while his elite glove and game-changing speed heavily influenced both wins. He’s the type of dynamic player that can carry a team. The pitching staff is also very good, as Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo were excellent in their starts in Baltimore, while Michael Wacha enjoyed a strong season.
Area of concern: Where will the offense come from if Witt isn’t great? Kansas City’s lineup really struggled in September, scoring the fewest runs (74) and posting the worst OPS (.577) in the majors. The team went 14-for-64 with one extra-base hit and 14 strikeouts in two games during the wild-card series. Witt and Michael Massey combined for six of those hits.
Underrated player to watch: Lucas Erceg. One of the best deadline acquisitions, Erceg gives the Royals an elite arm at the back end of the ‘pen. The right-hander didn’t allow a hit in 2 1/3 innings against the Orioles, striking out three, and he can be unleashed for multiple innings if needed.
6. Cleveland Guardians
What we like: The league’s best bullpen. Opponents were in trouble whenever Cleveland held a lead late in the game. The Guardians have MLB’s best closer in Emmanuel Clase, but the hidden gem has been rookie Cade Smith. The right-hander accrued 2.7 fWAR with a 1.91 ERA and 12.31 K/9 in 75 1/3 innings during the regular season.
Area of concern: The Guardians were a slightly above-average offensive club during the regular season. Outside of José Ramírez and Josh Naylor, the lineup isn’t overflowing with players who are likely to strike fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers. Cleveland sorely needs All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan to recapture his form at the plate after he hit .206 following the All-Star break.
Underrated player to watch: Kyle Manzardo. The rookie slugger found his stride in September, posting a .873 OPS with five home runs in 63 at-bats. Manzardo has prodigious power and is more than capable of delivering in big moments.
5. New York Mets
What we like: OMG! The find-a-way Mets continue to provide magic. New York has been counted out a number of times this year but keeps finding a way to stay alive. Count the Mets out at your own peril. Getting Pete Alonso going would be a huge development. The slugging first baseman delivered the signature moment of his career with a go-ahead three-run home run in the ninth inning of Game 3 versus the Brewers.
Area of concern: The bullpen showed a few cracks against the Brewers. New York relievers posted a 5.00 ERA in three games, which was the second-worst mark among the eight wild-card teams. Manager Carlos Mendoza had to use stater David Peterson to close out the series.
Underrated player to watch: Tylor Megill. The right-hander figured something out down the stretch, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.45 ERA and 38 strikeouts across his last seven regular-season appearances. Megill was sharp in the Mets’ doubleheader against the Braves and will likely draw a start early in the NLDS. His ability to miss bats could be crucial against a lineup as talented as the Phillies.
4. New York Yankees
What we like: The Yankees are easily the AL’s most talented team on paper, and it’ll be a major disappointment for them if they don’t reach the World Series. Aaron Judge is having the best season of his career, and Juan Soto is putting together an MVP-caliber campaign. After some early-season injury concerns, Gerrit Cole looks to be back to his ace form, posting a 2.25 ERA over his final 10 starts. Carlos Rodón put together a solid bounce-back season, while Clarke Schmidt returning from injury late in the season gives New York further rotation depth.
Area of concern: Judge needs to flip the switch in the postseason. He owns a .211/.310/.462 slash line in 44 playoff games and went 5-for-36 in the 2022 playoffs. The rest of the offense brings about serious question marks if Judge struggles. Despite leading the AL in runs scored, Anthony Volpe, Gleyber Torres, and Alex Verdugo all put together underwhelming offensive seasons. Meanwhile, Anthony Rizzo will miss the ALDS with a hand injury.
Underrated player to watch: Luke Weaver.Weaver helped anchor the back end of the bullpen with Clay Holmes struggling in the closer role. A starter for the bulk of his career, Weaver was deployed as a reliever for the Yankees and posted a 2.89 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts in 84 innings. He heads into the playoffs having thrown 11 consecutive scoreless innings with 24 strikeouts.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
What we like: Shohei Ohtani. The baseball world will finally be treated to the best player in the game under the bright lights of postseason action. Buckle up. It should be a fun ride. Ohtani heads in the playoffs on an absolute heater, too, hitting an almost unbelievable .547/.586/1.057 with seven home runs over his last 12 games.
Area of concern: The Dodgers’ rotation has been decimated by injuries. Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and Gavin Stone are all out, leaving manager Dave Roberts in a precarious position. Los Angeles will need Walker Buehler to rediscover his past form after struggling to the tune of a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts. How will Yoshinobu Yamamoto handle his first postseason, and how much can the Dodgers expect from him? He’s averaged just four innings and 70 pitches over his four starts since coming off the injured list last month.
Underrated player to watch: Tommy Edman. The Dodgers acquired the versatile Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline. Edman’s been exactly as advertised in Los Angeles, providing a good glove at multiple spots to pair with consistently good at-bats.
2. San Diego Padres
What we like: A lineup that doesn’t let up. San Diego posted baseball’s best record after the All-Star break, thanks in large part to a relentless offensive attack. The Padres are deep, balanced, and can beat teams in a number of different ways. There are few easy outs for pitchers to navigate.
Area of concern: Joe Musgrove’s elbow injury is a major worry. Musgrove was forced to leave his start in the wild-card series against the Braves and dealt with elbow issues during the regular season. Yu Darvish will likely be slotted back into the starting rotation if Musgrove can’t take the ball against the Dodgers.
Underrated player to watch: Kyle Higashioka. The veteran catcher already showed his flare for the dramatic in the division series, blasting a pair of home runs against the Braves. Higashioka is an excellent defensive backstop and is coming off the best offensive season of his career. Don’t be surprised if he delivers again in a big moment.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
What we like: The Phillies appear to have benefited from finishing as the NL’s No. 2 seed as they avoid the Padres and Dodgers until the NLCS. Philadelphia has come up short in each of the last two postseasons but possesses a battle-tested and healthy roster. Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are historically great playoff pitchers, while Bryce Harper owns a career .996 OPS in 49 postseason games. The lineup can slug, and the rotation is elite.
Area of concern:The bullpen is once again the biggest cause for concern, but there’s enough talent and swing-and-miss at the back end that should be able to finish off games. After looking like they were going to cruise to the World Series last season, the Phillies and their offense were completely neutralized after Game 3 of the NLCS. They’ll need to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. Philadelphia will also need to make sure it’s not complacent in the NLDS by looking too far ahead.
Underrated player to watch: Orion Kerkering. The 23-year-old was a surprise to make the postseason roster last season after throwing just three MLB innings, but he should play a major role this time around. Kerkering struck out 74 over 63 innings during the regular season and posted a 1.65 ERA and 1.88 FIP over his last 17 appearances while also not surrendering a home run.
