Thoughts on the 2024 MLB Postseason
In only two rounds, the 2024 playoffs are already one for the ages.
As of today, Sunday, October 13, the once crowded MLB playoff field has been whittled down to the final four. While the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets party like it’s 1988, the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians will duel in an ALCS sure to lead to a deluge of arguments about payroll in MLB. Regardless of who wins, though, this October has been a rare bright spot in the dark age of Rob Manfred’s reign of error.
Before we start the championship rounds of October, I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts on this dazzling postseason thus far:
First, this has easily been one of the best postseasons of my lifetime, and I’ve been a baseball fan for a quarter century. A mere two rounds brought us everything you dream of when the leaves turn orange: rivalry clashes, high-wire pitching duels, miracle homers from obscure backups and megastars, series stretched to their length, and more. Imagine what the LCS and World Series will bring!
A big The Price is Right fail horn for the Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers. Now, I like both teams, but their showings in the wild card round left much to be desired. The Orioles can at least take solace in their youth, hopefully ensuring they have a long playoff window. The Brewers, on the other hand, blew their series against the Mets in especially truculent fashion. They’ve been coming up short year after year in their most fertile playoff era to date, but this one feels like a potential death knell. A shame. Bob Uecker deserves so much better.
That said, Pete Alonso’s miracle blast was cinematic.
A tip of the cap to the Kansas City Royals. While they fell short against the hated Yankees in the ALDS, they have nothing to regret. Going from 106 losses in 2023 to the playoffs the next went above and beyond expectations. Unless John Sherman decides to go the same route as the Kauffman trust in the ‘90s, you can expect to see the dazzling alacrity of Bobby Witt Jr. in October a LOT for the next decade. Giancarlo Stanton’s classy gesture after Game 4 reflects that.
A hearty, sadistic laugh at the expense of my most hated team, the Houston Astros. I really don’t want to empty my spleen about it, as I am just downright sick of them. Plus, contrary to what many might assume, their real-time cheating scheme isn’t why I’m mad about the 2017 World Series. My anger over that is leveled at the Dodgers because they should have won it anyway, period. That doesn’t change the fact that the Astros’ larceny (and the milquetoast punishment leveled by Rob Manfred), not to mention the toxic nature of much of their fanbase and media, still makes them loathsome. With Alex Bregman all but guaranteed to leave in free agency, and a barren farm system, this could be the end of the line for Houston’s powerhouse. Here’s hoping.
The Detroit Tigers deserve to be celebrated. They ended a 10-year playoff drought with a roster that was basically Tarik Skubal and a bunch of blue collar randos that either look like extras in an ‘80s baseball movie, or would have been profiled by Brad Balukjian in The Wax Pack. After thumping Houston, their spirited battle against Cleveland resulted in an instant classic ALDS. With much of the AL Central looking to be competitive for the foreseeable future, there’s no guarantee this run portends a new era of dominance in the Motor City. Regardless, it should long be remembered.
Cleveland advancing to the ALCS is a delight, as they are managed by former Oakland A’s fan favorite Stephen Vogt. It feels like yesterday I was screaming myself hoarse with chants of “I BELIEVE IN STEPHEN VOGT” at the Oakland Coliseum. There’s a reason A’s fans believed…Stephen is a top-tier baseball character, which is more evident than ever before in his first year as an MLB manager. I hope he gets to manage in the World Series.
Francisco Lindor is unbelievably dynamic. No, he absolutely doesn’t deserve NL MVP over Shohei Ohtani. But his rising to the occasion in Game 4 with a grand slam was not only perfectly scripted, but also attributable to me. That’s right. I listened to the broadcast of the game on SiriusXM on my way home from my Los Angeles vacation, only to pull off at an especially grimy Denny’s in Santa Nella. As I swatted away flies and downed lukewarm coffee, Lindor cranked his go-ahead slam, and then I listened to the rest of the game on the way home. You’re welcome, Mets fans.
Last…but not least…the NLDS between my Dodgers and that irritating little brother from San Diego was quite an adventure. I had the misfortune of attending the ugly humiliation of Game 2 in person, and then watching the frustration of Game 3 at the famous Short Stop bar by Dodger Stadium. It was a series rife with drama that I can’t sufficiently squeeze into this kind of piece, but I’ll say this: when the Dodgers trounced the Friars in Game 4 as I arrived back in Sacramento, I had a feeling San Diego wouldn’t respond. Credit to Dave Roberts’ vastly improved management and a 2017-level bullpen machine for saving the season.
Final thought: I said whoever won that particular NLDS will win the World Series. Barring Roberts reverting to his old mistakes, or some other crazy happenstance, I think my Boys in Blue are in prime position for that first full season ring since 1988. If they do it, expect PLENTY of recaps and reflections here at Marshall Arts.
Until next time,
Marshall