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Who’s Got the Juice? These 7 MLB Teams Are Ready to Make Noise in October (Video)

Posted on by angelo
Who’s Got the Juice? These 7 MLB Teams Are Ready to Make Noise in October (Video)

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 tied with the Atlanta Braves for the final wild card in the National League.

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.

As time has gone on, Milwaukee’s budding superstar has made strides. Jackson Chourio is now just one home run away from becoming the first player to record a 20/20 season at age 20.

The Brewers currently have the largest divisional lead in MLB, with a nine-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central.

The Dodgers’ expectations for this postseason are as high as any team in baseball. After adding two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani (who is closing in on a third title) along with players like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, any World Series appearance for the Dodgers would be a disappointment.

Even though the Dodgers still have doubts about their starting pitcher, they will have Yoshinobu Yamamoto back next week. And despite the absence of Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw, they have the third-best record in baseball since the All-Star break.

The D-backs are back with a red-hot second half, but unlike last season, they’re not taking anyone by surprise. Arizona’s recipe for success last year was a solid starting pitcher and a bullpen that improved late in the season. This season, the D-backs have the best offense in baseball and are benefiting from breakout seasons from veterans Joc Pederson and Eugenio Suarez.

Plus, after a terrible first half, Corbin Carroll has emerged as the MVP-caliber player who led Arizona’s offense last season. The D-backs are better than last year and they’ve found their groove at the perfect time.

The Padres have been the healthiest team in baseball in the second half of the season, going 30-12 since the All-Star break, the best in baseball. San Diego had a big trade deadline, building perhaps the strongest bullpen in the sport led by closer Robert Suarez and new signings Jason Adam and Tanner Scott.

The Padres’ offense has also been among the best in baseball, led by rookie sensation Jackson Merrill and the recent return of Fernando Tatis Jr., and the team’s starting pitchers are finally healthy. The Friars may well be the scariest team in baseball heading into the playoffs.