We’re in the final weeks of the 2024 MLB season, with the playoffs in sight. Rosters are being set as teams make their final push until October with the possibility of a World Series on the line.
Several teams have the playoffs in sight, and others are knocking on the door with three weeks to go, but who is playing their best baseball now that everything is on the line? Who has good vibes and positive momentum heading into the most important weeks of the season?
Here are seven teams that still have potential until the end.
There may not be a team that has had a year as eventful as the Mets, but heading into the most important month of the season, they’ve played their best baseball. Winners of their last seven games, the Mets are now just a half-game behind the Atlanta Braves for the National League’s final wild card.
Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor has played the best baseball of his career with the Mets, especially over the last month, and he would have been a much bigger contender for NL MVP if not for the existence of one Shohei Ohtani.
The Royals have a playoff-caliber rotation, and they’ve proven it all season long. 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 lineup that can win a playoff series.
The biggest question for Kansas City all year has been whether they can find enough offense to support their starting pitchers. And lately, the answer has been yes. Led by Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City’s offense has given its rotation plenty of run support. Sure, 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 received throughout the lineup, the Royals could have something to make some noise in October.
In the words of Eminem, “Guess who’s back? Back. The Stros are back. Tell a friend.”
Many wondered if the Astros’ long reign of success had come to an end with an aging roster, an injured rotation and an underperforming lineup and bullpen. But when you’ve been there and seen it all, very little fazes you. And it turns out the Astros weren’t fazed by the 10-game deficit they faced in the American League West.
Many baseball teams would have been eliminated under such circumstances. All Houston did was chip away at Seattle’s lead, and since taking control of the division, they haven’t looked back, extending their lead to 4.5 games.
Who knows if the Astros still have their playoff magic and will reach the ALC Championship Series for the eighth consecutive season? But we certainly can’t rule it out. Oh, and they continue to do so without their best player, Kyle Tucker.
Milwaukee continues to improve and, led by perhaps the leading candidate for National League Manager of the Year in Pat Murphy, the Brew Crew has been one of the best stories in baseball this season, even after losing superstar Christian Yelich to season-ending back surgery.
Along the…