Top 3 teams that could be AL Champions ft. Yankees and more
The MLB postseason is close to a month away, with teams making their final attempt to claim a spot. At the moment, a few American League teams are all but confirmed. This includes the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians and to some extent - the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals.
History suggests the Astros were the best team in the last 10 seasons, but every postseason is a new one. And thus, even this season will have its surprises.
Here's a closer look at three teams that could book a spot in the World Series by ALCS this October.
Top 3 teams that could be AL champions
#3. Baltimore Orioles (77-56)
The Baltimore Orioles, for all their merits, could be placed higher in this list but their inexperience in the postseason attributed to the third place. The Orioles haven't tasted postseason success much but the 2024 season is their best chance to get the AL pennant.
Throughout the season, the Orioles and Yankees have been the best AL teams. Currently, the Orioles are seated in the top Wild Card Spot with only one game behind the AL East lead.
The Orioles have a young squad, with Gunnar Henderson and Corbin Burners being their key players so far this season, and they need to make this season count. Notably, they have been better against the Yankees 1-on-1 this season.
#2. Houston Astros (70-62)
No team has had more ALCS appearances than the Houston Astros in the past decade. The team has reached the pennant series seven straight times leading up to this year. After starting the season on a rough note, the Astros are back at the top of the AL West.
After winning the World Series in 2022, the Astros went to seven games before the Texas Rangers won their challenge in seven games of the 2023 ALCS series. This time the team looks prepared to avenge their loss and get back to the World Series to win it for the third time.
With Justin Verlander, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez leading the squad, it may be hard for opposing teams to bring them down in a seven-game series.
#1. New York Yankees (78-55)
The New York Yankees started their World Series preparation when they traded for Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres. The deal was a hit with the 1-2 punch of Soto and Aaron Judge dominating teams the whole season. They have turned up the notch in the last few games, with both cruising to their career-best seasons.
The Yankees bullpen is an issue but they are holding up. Starting pitching is getting into the act with Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes and Luis Gil throwing exceptionally well in the last few games.
Regarding the offense, the combo of Judge and Soto is making up for any lapses so far, but if they want to win the ALCS and subsequently the World Series, the offense will need to be a collective effort.