Dodgers and Guardians clinch playoff spots: Both teams vying for the best record in their respective leagues
The 2024 MLB postseason landscape is starting to take shape. On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees became the first two teams to secure their spots in the postseason. The Brewers claimed the National League Central title, The Yankees only have one spot in the postseasonTwo more teams secured their spot on Thursday. These are the latest teams to secure their spot in the postseason.
Dodgers clinch postseason berth
The Los Angeles Dodgers are headed to the postseason for the 12th consecutive season. They clinched a spot with Thursday's win over the Miami Marlins (LA 20, MIA 4), the same day Superstar Shohei Ohtani recorded the first 50-50 season in MLB historyThe Dodgers still have work to do to secure their third straight NL West title. For now, they've only clinched one spot in the tournament. Los Angeles can't be worse than the third wild-card team. They have a four-game lead in the NL West with nine games remaining.
In addition to the division title, the Dodgers are also in position to earn a spot in the Wild Card Series, which is awarded to the teams with the two best records in each league. Pending the outcome of Thursday night's games, the Dodgers hold a 2 1/2-game lead over the Brewers for second place and a half-game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place.
With a playoff spot clinched, the Dodgers will now try to sort out their starting rotation. Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone, the team's only pitchers to have thrown more than 90 innings, are out for the season with arm issues. Yoshinobu Yamamoto returned from his shoulder injury two weeks ago and Clayton Kershaw is nursing a toe problem.
The Dodgers, perhaps more than any other team, could use that bye week in the Wild Card Series to get as healthy as possible and get their starting pitching in order. The offense, led by 50-50 threat Shohei Ohtani, is one of the best scoring in baseball, and the trade deadline signing of Michael Kopech has stabilized the bullpen. Either the Dodgers have enough starting pitching in the postseason and will have a chance, or they won't and will be in trouble.
Guardians secure playoff spot
The Cleveland Guardians became the second American League team to clinch a playoff berth this season on Thursday when they beat the Twins in an extra-inning victory. The Guardians will be back in the playoffs after missing out last season. This will be their third October appearance in their last five tries and the first for rookie manager Stephen Vogt.
To be clear: The Guardians have only clinched one playoff berth so far. They are well positioned to win the AL Central, but that effort will require some additional results to go their way first. When the Guardians do clinch the Central, and it looks like it will be quite an accomplishment, fait accompli – will be their fifth division title in a decade.
The Guardians are also in position to earn a bye into the first round, a reward that goes to the top two teams in both leagues. Cleveland has competition with the Yankees for the top spot in the American League. It's possible the fight for the top spot could continue into the final weekend of the season, depending on how things have been going lately.
To get to this point, the Guardians had to overcome a rotation that has battled injuries and underperformance all year — only one member of their Opening Day starting quintet remains, and that’s Tanner Bibee. Otherwise? Shane Bieber was injured and required season-ending surgery after two starts; Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen struggled to gain traction and are now working through their issues in the minors; and Carlos Carrasco was recently designated for assignment.
Still, Cleveland can credit several players for helping them make a serious push for the AL's best record, including star third baseman Jose Ramirez, closer Emmanuel Clase and the rest of a top-notch (if somewhat anonymous) bullpen, sharp-fielding second baseman Andres Gimenez and outfielder Steven Kwan.
