It is that time of the year again! Major League Baseball playoffs are starting, and the World Series will be here within a month. Let’s take a look at who the contenders will be. (Results are subject to change in the final week.)
In the National League, things appear to be mainly settled. The Milwaukee Brewers, Las Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and the Philadelphia Phillies are the only teams who have currently clinched the postseason. However, a few teams are right behind them. The New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks need less than five wins to clinch. The Atlanta Braves are also in the race, but they are still one game out from a spot. All of these wild races are currently making the league exciting but nerve- racking for fans of all teams.
The American League, on the other hand, is very far from settled. The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians are currently the only teams to have clinched a shot at the playoffs. The Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are also just a few games out from clinching the playoffs as well. However, the Wild Card Spots are in a complete jam. The Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, and the Seattle Mariners are all fighting for the final three remaining spots in the postseason. Two of these five teams will be eliminated, with only nine regular-season games left to go, which provides a sense of urgency and a level of stress for these fans.
While many made their predictions, nobody truly knows who is going to win the crown this year. Many fans enjoy pure domination, while others root for an underdog to make a splash. All in all, time will tell. But finally, it’s time for the madness to ensue.