Stats are updated as of 8/22/2024 and are provided by https://realsports.io/

Odds are provided by Draft Kings

Well the AL Playoffs are finally getting closer and closer and the Minnesota Twins have a 3 game lead over the Red Sox for the final playoff spot. Today we will break down the 6 teams that are in the playoffs currently, then we will break down the Red Sox who are looking in from the outside.

Cleveland Guardians:

The Guardians have been impressive with the defense on the field with the Guardians defense ranking third in runs allowed and batting average against. Jose Ramirez is also being a huge help as of late as Ramirez is now celebrating a 30-100-30 season. Josh Naylor is looking to have one of his best seasons of his career matching some of his best from the year before already. Also Steven Kwan, who is still batting an impressive .310 for the Guardians. There’s not really much to say about this team other then they might still be feeling the blues of the summer break as they are 16-15 since the all star break. They will definitely need to turn it around quickly before the Royals and the Twins who are currently 2.5 games behind, can easily make a push come this September. The Guardians are currently rocking with a 4 man starting pitchers rotation according to their depth chart. Below is their stats.

Name	ERA	Strikeouts	Innings Pitched	W – L	Real Season Ranking
Gavin Williams	5.13	52	47.1	2 – 6	780th
Tanner Bibee	3.33	144	132.1	10 – 5	242nd
Ben Lively	3.68	98	120.0	10 – 8	356th
Matthew Boyd	3.38	8	10.2	0 – 0	1,096th

In the past 5 games, all starting pitchers have allowed a run. That is a problem they will need to fix before the playoffs come around for the same reason i said earlier, they can’t afford to play that first round of playoffs. It won’t kill them or their chances for the world series but it’d be good for the players and the pitchers to just sit down, get into that playoff mindset, and be ready for whoever comes their way. Personally i think the Guardians have a really good shot at going deep into the playoffs but the main question is will their starting pitchers be able to stop allowing runs? They are still 3rd in the league for runs allowed but it’s still a problem you don’t want to have. Especially when you get to October, nothing that happened from March to September matters anymore. It’s just about winning games and etching your team’s name into the World Series trophy. It’s also weird for me to say this but Steven Kwan needs to step it up at the plate, i know he’s batting a .310 but i know he’s far better than that, and i’m sure if he wants that ring, he’s gonna need to start providing solid hits and RBI’s for the Guardians.

Cleveland Guardians odds to win the World Series +1300

New York Yankees:

The Yankees are starting to get hot at all the right moments, currently they are 1st in OPS, 2nd in runs, and home runs, 3rd in total bases which puts them 8th in https://realsports.io/ season rankings. Since the all star break, the Yankees are 16-13, which is helping them stay ahead of another hot and young team, the Baltimore Orioles. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are helping fuel that fire with Juan Soto batting .321 with 36 hits, 13 home runs and 27 RBI’s and 31 runs scored since the all star break and Aaron Judge, is hitting a impressive .427 with 44 hits, 13 home runs, 32 RBI’s and 26 runs scored since the all star break. Alex Verdugo since the break has been struggling just a little bit with 22 hits, 8 RBI’s with 20 runs scored in 27 games. He is currently batting a .207 since the break.

Jazz Chisholm Jr who was dealing with a injury is set to make his return either Friday or Saturday. Chisholm was also bringing in impressive numbers since his trade to the Yankees. He’s batting a .292 with 26 hits, 8 home runs, 19 RBI’s with 18 runs scored in 22 games played since the all star break. Yankees will be excited for Chisholm’s return as the days start to inch closer and closer to the start of the playoffs. Luis Gil, starting pitcher is also dealing with a lower back strain which saw him hit the DL for 15 days. Gil was pitching with a 4.43 ERA, 26 K’s and is 2-1 in 5 appearances since the all star break.

Now the Yankees starting pitching since the break has been impressive with the pitching staff seeing the return of Gerritt Cole who had been dealing with a injury since the beginning of the season saw his return to the mound back in June. Cole since his return has a 4-2 record, with a 4.15 ERA, 60 k’s in 10 appearances so far. Cole is still playing his first couple of games of the season so i’m considering these starts, his spring training stats. I’ll be really interested to see his stats in the month of September and in October. Since the all star break, Nestor Cortes has a 5.18 ERA, 27 k’s , and a 5.18 ERA in 6 appearances so far since the break. Below you can find the rest of the starting pitchers stats for the whole season.

Name	ERA	Innings Pitched	Strikeouts	W – L	Real Season Ranking
Gerrit Cole	3.72	58.0	62	5 – 2	626th
Marcus Stroman	3.82	127.1	92	8 – 6	344th
Nestor Cortes	4.00	148.1	137	7 – 10	213th
Carlos Rodon	4.34	134.2	148	13 – 8	267th

Starting pitchers are doing a solid job giving their bullpen a solid chance to keep the low run games going and keep their offense hitting bombs. The only problem that the Yankees are having is in their closer position. Clay Holmes has been struggling at the closer position with Aaron Boone telling reporters he’d only make a change if it’s necessary. But with a red hot Orioles right behind them, Clay Holmes is either gonna need to get back on track and start pitching like he’s getting paid or Boone is gonna end up making a choice.

With almost over a month of the season left to play, today is 8/22. As i was writing this, Judge just belted his 48th homerun of the year. I’m gonna go out and make a prediction that Aaron Judge goes on a tear in September and breaks his home run record of 62 home runs.

The Yankees last visit to the World Series was in 2009, and i personally think this is the best team to make it back there. Aaron Judge is playing amazing baseball, Juan Soto may be trying to get paid next season but that doesn’t deny the fact that he has been a huge help to the Yankees this season. Pitchers like Gerrit Cole returning from injury and looking to get hot right before the playoffs start. Look out for the Yankees in the playoffs and the red hot batters like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, and Jazz Chisholm Jr who is returning from injury this weekend.

Yankees odds to win the World Series +550

Houston Astros

The Astros are currently 69-58 and lead their division by 5.5 games, which grants them a spot in the playoffs regardless of if they went on a big losing streak or not. The Astros have made lots of mistakes this season which haven’t been to noticeable to the general fan but with the Mariners (5.5 GB) and the Rangers (10.5 GB) most of their mistakes have came at no cost. The Houston Astros have faced a number of challenges in 2024, including injuries, offseason changes and pitching problems. In the offseason, the team lost several players and their coach, Dusty Baker, who retired in October 2023 after winning the World Series in 2022. But i’m not saying they have been playing horribly. I’m just saying that this is their worst season in years, and they’re doing just enough to get them into the playoffs. The Astros who are 11th in Real’s season’s rankings. Rank 3rd in offensive average across the league. And defensively they are top 3 in batting average against. They are also 3rd in totat bases allowed and are playing clean baseball with only 61 errors this season. Which ranks 7th in the league. They also have only allowed 509 runs this season which puts them 6th.

One thing about the Astros is that they are a completely different team in October then in the regular season, with players like Jose Altuve usually making highlight reel homeruns. Since the all star break, the Astros are 18-12 showing that they deserve to be in the playoffs regardless of their record and how far away their lead is in the AL West.

Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve and Yainer Diaz all are batting above .300 on the season with Alvarez ranking 15th in real’s season rankings with 66 rbi’s, 25 HR’s and a .307 AVG. Jose Altuve has a .300 AVG, 53 RBI’s, and 16 HR’s ranking 36th in Real’s season ranking. Yainer Diaz also is batting a .303 AVG with 71 RBI’s and 15 HR’s and ranks 49th in real’s season rankings and 11th in real’s 7-day rankings.

The Astros are currently rocking with a 6 man rotation as Justin Verlander has just returned from injury earlier this season. Framber Valdez has been exceptional this season as well as Ronel Blanco who has the teams lowest ERA with a 3.14. Below is the 6 starting pitchers season stats including their real season ranking.

Name	ERA	Strikeouts	W – L	Real Season Ranking
Framber Valdez	3.20	131	13 – 5	153rd
Yusei Kikuchi	4.37	161	6 – 9	238th
Ronel Blanco	3.14	136	9 – 6	195th
Spencer Arrighetti	5.20	134	5 – 11	315th
Hunter Brown	3.82	145	11 – 7	221st
Justin Verlander	3.92	57	3 – 3	639th

I don’t think you should run and place your life savings on this Astros team to win it all this season but i am saying i wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a deep run into it. Like i said, one thing i’ve learned despite the problems they’ve had in the past. They’ve always shown that they can win in October when it matters, and without Dusty Baker there, this might be the Astros biggest challenge yet. But i don’t think we should completely write them off just yet.

Houston Astros odds to win the World Series +950

Baltimore Orioles:

The Baltimore Orioles and the Yankees biggest competitor for the first round bye and the division lead. The Orioles since the all star break are 16-17, there is some silver lining to that as they lead the league in home runs with 196, total bases with 1982 and 3rd in the league with OPS and runs. Adley Rutschman is batting .205 with 18 hits, 2 home runs and 12 rbi’s since the break with Anthony Santander having a average of .238 with 30 hits, 13 homers and 24 RBI’s and Gunnar Henderson who ranks 6th in real’s season rankings, is batting a .287 with 35 hits, 5 home runs and 15 rbi’s since the break as well. Anthony Santander currently leads the team in home runs with 37 who is looking for a 100-40 season as just another solid September should get him to that impressive mark. Jordan Westburg who has been dealing with a fracture will be a solid welcome addition back to the lineup to help the Orioles take 1st place from the Yankees.

All of the Orioles position players rank 200th or higher in real’s season rankings so they will be a scary team to face come October. The Orioles rank 3rd in the season rankings but i don’t think they will dethrone the New York Yankees for that 1st spot and the bye. The Orioles starting pitchers only have one pitcher that has reached 100 strikeouts this season and 10 wins. The Orioles are a scary team offensively but defensively they have allowed 559 runs which ranks 17th in the league and 12th in total bases allowed and errors. So they have some problems that they need to fix before October comes around. The question is, will they be able to get their other starting pitchers not named Corbin Burnes into a solid pitcher. Below you can find the starting pitchers stats this season . Cade Povich is the newest addition to the Orioles starting pitchers.

Name	ERA	Strikeouts	W – L	Real Season Rankings
Corbin Burnes	3.10	144	12 – 5	133rd
Albert Suarez	3.18	78	6 – 4	352nd
Trevor Rogers	4.92	97	2 – 11	428th
Dean Kremer	4.30	91	6 – 9	385th
Cade Povich	5.77	31	1 – 6	849th

Baltimore Orioles odds to win the World Series +850

Kansas City Royals

The Guardians are gonna need to keep an eye out for the Royals as Bobby Witt Jr is having a MVP caliber type of season. Bobby with is currently a batting a league leading .352 with 92 RBI’s and 25 home runs. He leads the league with runs scored. 2nd in the league with total bases, and 3rd in doubles and OPS. Witt since the all star break is currently batting a .445 with 53 hits, 9 home runs and 29 rbi’s with 35 runs scored. Bobby Witt who ranks 2nd in real’s season rankings is looking really good as of late. In the past 7 days, they rank 1st in the 7-day rankings and 6th in the season rankings. The Royals as a whole unit rank top 10 in runs scored and 5th in batting average. Defensively has been impressive as well as they are top 8 in the league with errors allowed and 5th in runs allowed. Salvador Perez has also been impressive as he ranks top 10 in RBI’s this season and is batting a .274 and ranks top 25 in real’s season rankings. Vinnie Pasquatino is 3rd in RBI’s batting a solid .265 ranking 5th in the 7-day rankings and 21st in the season. The Kansas City Royals since the all star break are a impressive 18-11 and looking to break into the Guardians division lead.

Below you can find the Royals starting pitching squad but in my opinion, it’s one of the best in the league. All pitchers rank top 300 in real’s season rankings and they combine for over 650 strikeouts together as a unit.

Name	ERA	Strikeouts	W – L	Real Season Ranking
Seth Lugo	3.02	143	14 – 7	92nd
Cole Ragans	3.31	183	10 – 8	131st
Michael Lorenzen	3.47	91	7 – 6	282nd
Michael Waena	3.33	108	10 – 6	257th
Brady Singer	3.18	136	9 – 8	205th

In my notes while i was researching the Royals i couldn’t find one bad thing to say about this team. They will dethrone the Guardians first place spot and give some problems to some teams who don’t really think the Royals are all that. I personally think the Royals can make the World Series. If everyone can stay healthy then look out for the Royals. The sportsbook’s may not agree with me but it’s not a bad 5$ bet to make.

Kansas City Royals odds to win the World Series +2200

Minnesota Twins:

The Twins are currently the final team to make the playoffs as they rank Top 10 in all offensive categories. Runs, OPS, AVG, Total Bases and Home Runs. They are also a impressive 6th in errors allowed in the league. The Twins are currently dealing with injuries to two of their top players with Byron Buxton dealing with hip inflammation and Carlos Correa. Jose Miranda who is batting over .300 currently is looking for his 10th home run of the season to help the Twins surpass the Royals and the Guardians and make 1st place. The Twins will turn to Carlos Santana to help carry the Twins while Buxton and Correa deal with their injuries. Santana who wanks 100th in real’s ranking system and a .239 AVG, 55 RBI’s and 18 HR’s with a solid .753 OPS.

The Twins hold a 3.5 game lead over the final spot of the playoffs so barring a huge losing streak, i see them making the playoffs but winning anything might be a little much compared to the other teams in the AL. Especially in a scenario where the Orioles dethrone the Yankees. Then the Yankees and the Twins face each other in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Twins have added 2 new starting pitchers to the lineup as they will look for them to help the Twins make the playoffs. Both starting pitchers have already shown solid promise with their stats being shown below as well as other starting pitchers.

Name	ERA	Strikeouts	W – L	Real Season Rank
Pablo Lopez	4.47	152	11 – 8	236th
Zebby Matthews	3.60	6	1 – 1	1134th
Bailey Ober	3.54	145	12 – 5	143th
Simeon Woods Richardson	3.69	99	5 – 3	296th
David Fests	4.96	39	2 – 2	884th

The Twins are going to go into October looking to surprise everyone and be a Cinderella story just like the Rangers we’re just a season ago. Winning the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Twins i think will have the hardest path there as they have 2 new starting pitchers going into the month of September.

Minnesota Twins odds to win the World Series +1400

The Red Sox have the closest chances to making the playoffs as they are currently 3.5 GB behind 6th place, Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox who rank 2nd in OPS, AVG and Total Bases definitely have a chance on making the playoffs if teams like the Twins or the Orioles struggling in September.

The Red Sox schedule for the rest of the season is the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Tigers, Mets, White Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Rays, Twins, Blue Jays and the Rays to end out the season. So with tough matchups coming up, the Red Sox will look to get on a hot streak and etch their name into the conversation for the playoffs.

Red Sox odds to win the World Series: +6500

This is the end of the story.

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