Jacob’s 2024 MLB Postseason Predictions

By: Jacob Zanolla

The playoffs are here, and even though they don’t include the Cubs, I still wanted to give my predictions on the 2024 postseason, and it’s going to be a fun one. Please note that I am notoriously bad at my standings predictions somehow, so don’t put too much stock into this (or do, and win a ton of money).

Wild Card Series:

American League:

(6) Tigers @ Astros (3)

Detroit has been on an absolute roll, coming back from improbable (or so we thought) postseason odds of 0.2%. as of August 11^th. Since then, they’ve gone on an improbable run to reach the playoffs. Tarik Skubal won the AL Pitching Triple Crown, is a lock to win the Cy Young award, and will start game 1 for Detroit. I have Detroit winning this series, mainly due to their recent stretch of winning. The Astros have been good as well, don’t get me wrong. However, baseball is all about getting hot at the right time, which is exactly what the Tigers have done.

Official Prediction: Tigers in 3

(5) Royals @ Orioles (4)

The Orioles are a really fun team, with one of the best young cores in baseball. Their rotation is lead by Corbin Burnes, who will be a free agent once November comes around. Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Anthony Santander lead an offense which scored 4.85 runs per game in 2024. They’re going up against the Kansas City Royals, who a decent amount of people had favored to win the AL Central. I’d be ok with either team winning here, but Bobby Witt Jr. and the rest of his offense haven’t been as strong lately, leading me to lean with Baltimore.

Official Prediction: Orioles in 3

National League:

(6) Mets @ Brewers (3)

The Mets won game one of the unanticipated double header in entertaining fashion, with a Francisco Lindor two run home run in the top of the 9th inning. Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor are joined by Pete Alonso to create an explosive offense, but they’re very streaky. Sometimes they’re unstoppable, othertimes they forgot to show up at all.

Milwaukee on the other hand has been going strong pretty much all season. Their pitching is stronger, especially when looking at the bullpen, which includes Trevor Megill and Devin Williams.

Official Prediction: Brewers in 2

(5) Braves @ Padres (4)

After losing game one in brutal fashion on Monday, Atlanta beat a Mets squad that probably wasn’t trying as hard as possible after clinching the playoffs earlier in the day. San Diego gets start Michael King and Joe Musgrove for the first two games, which is the main reason I have the Padres winning this series. Their offense has been explosive throughout the year as well. Atlanta missing Chris Sale is a huge negative as well, and a blessing for San Diego.

Official Prediction: Padres in 2

Division Series:

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

(6) Tigers @ Guardians (2)

The Guardians are a really solid squad, with Jose Ramirez coming one home run shy of a 40/40 season (the Guardians only played 161 games sadly). Even with Cleveland having a strong roster, I have the Tigers winning it in 5 games.

Official Prediction: Tigers in 5

(4) Orioles @ Yankees (2)

Thanks to Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball. They combined for 99 home runs in the regular season, and won’t stop there. Although Baltimore will put up a fight, the Yankees are the better team overall.

Official Prediction: Yankees in 4

NATIONAL LEAGUE:

3 (Brewers) @ Phillies (2)

The Phillies have reached the NLCS the last two years, but this year look to do it after winning the division. Bryce Harper has a .996 OPS in his playoff career, appearing in 49 games so far. He’s just one of the many elite hitters on the Phillies roster, which was the main reason they won the division. On the other side of the ball, hitters of the opposing team have to face pitchers like Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. The Brewers may be a good team, but they’re no match for the Phillies firepower.

Official Prediction: Phillies in 4

(4) Padres @ Dodgers (1)

Shohei Ohtani will get his first look at the postseason, trying to continue a year that saw him becoming the founder of the 50/50 club. The Dodgers were good in the postseason, but San Diego almost came back to steal the division in the last week of the regular season. The Dodgers seem to always choke in the playoffs, and I am predicting that will happen again with the Padres trying to make a run at the trophy.

Official Prediction: Padres in 5

Championship Series

American League:

(6) Tigers @ Yankees (1)

I really wanted to choose the Tigers, and think they do have a change to win this series, but the Yankees have too much offense to overpower the Tigers pitching staff.

Official Prediction: Yankees in 6

(4) Padres @ Phillies (2)

The more I look at the Padres roster, the more I think they have what it takes to make the World Series. It will be a close series, but I’m gonna lean San Diego here.

Official Prediction: Padres in 7

World Series

(4) Padres @ Yankees (1)

I was tempted to choose the Yankees, but I have the same worries as the Yankees fans themselves that the team isn’t deep enough to make a true run. They have players liek Gerrit Cole and Juan Soto, plus Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe. These players may be good, but I think the Padres take advantage of some weaknesses and beat them in six games.

Official Prediction: Padres in 6

An easier way to look at my bracket: