We’re in the final weeks of the 2024 MLB season, with the postseason in clear view. Rosters are set as teams make their final push to October with the chance at a World Series at stake.
Several teams have the playoffs comfortably in their sights, and others are knocking on the door with three weeks left, but who is playing their best baseball now that everything’s on the line? Who has good vibes and positive momentum going into the most important weeks of the season?
Here are seven teams that have the juice down the stretch.
There might not be any team having a more up-and-down year than the Mets, but going into the most important month of the season, they’ve played their best baseball. Winners of their past seven games, the Mets are now tied with the Atlanta Braves for the final NL wild card.
Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor has been playing the best baseball of his Mets career, especially over the last month, and would be getting significantly more NL MVP buzz if not for the existence of one Shohei Ohtani.
The Royals have a playoff-caliber rotation, and they’ve shown it all season. With the signing of veteran Seth Lugo, who has been fantastic, and the continued development of Cole Ragans, Brady Singer and Alec Marsh, Kansas City has a starting staff that can win a playoff series.
The biggest question for Kansas City throughout the year has been whether they could find enough offense to support the starting pitching. And lately, the answer has been yes. Led by Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City’s offense has given its rotation plenty of run support. Granted, the loss of first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is huge and leaves a big hole in the middle of the Royals’ offense, but with the contributions they’ve been getting throughout the lineup, the Royals might have enough to make noise in October.
In the words of Eminem, “Guess who’s back? Back again. Stros are back. Tell a friend.”
Many wondered if the Astros’ long reign of success had come to an end with an aging roster, injured rotation and underperforming lineup and bullpen. But when you’ve been there before and seen everything, very few things faze you. And as it turns out, the Astros weren’t fazed by the 10-game deficit they once faced in the AL West.
Many teams around baseball would’ve folded under those circumstances. All Houston did was chip away at Seattle’s lead, and since taking control of the division, they haven’t looked back, increasing their lead to 4.5 games.
Who knows if…