Why every MLB playoff team will be eliminated

The MLB Playoffs began on September 30 with 12 teams traveling the road to the World Series. Unfortunately, the road for most teams stops short of that destination. Only one team can win the World Series, and this year, especially features a wide-open field where every team in the field has a realistic chance to win.

But if every team has a chance to win, that also means every team has weaknesses that could make them lose. Here is why every team will lose in the playoffs in two sentences.

Disclaimer: All statements were written before the start of the Wild Card Round.

Detroit Tigers: The Tigers went into the All-Star Break with the best records in baseball, but blew a double-digit lead in the AL Central thanks to a horrendous 28-37 record after the break. This type of collapse typically leads to an early playoff exit, especially since the Tigers will face the team that went 5-1 against them in September in the Cleveland Guardians.

Boston Red Sox: Much like the Yankees, the Red Sox have a tough road to the ALCS because they will have to beat two division rivals without home-field advantage to get there. Lucas Giolito being out with an injury and a shaky bullpen, paired with a lineup that misses Roman Anthony, could create too many problems for the Red Sox to overcome.

New York Yankees: The Yankees not only have to face a team that went 9-4 against them during the regular season in the Red Sox, but if they advance, they will face the Blue Jays, who went 8-5 against the Yankees this year. Most teams lean on their bullpen in the playoffs, which is a problem for the Yankees, whose bullpen ERA was over 4.

Cleveland Guardians: The Guardians' rallying to not only make the playoffs but win the AL Central is nothing short of a miracle. The magic will probably run out because of a top-heavy lineup and a pitching staff that doesn’t quite match up to previous Cleveland teams.

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners are atop many odds boards and one of the favorites to win the World Series. The problem is that the club might be too reliant on home runs, as they had a team batting average of .230 for the season, which can lead to a dry spell offensively that costs the team a playoff series.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays earned the top seed in the American League, which gives them home-field advantage through the ALCS, which helps, as they won 54 games at home. They had a record of 40-41 on the road, however, and if the Phillies or Brewers win the National League, the Blue Jays lose home-field advantage in the World Series.

Cincinnati Reds: Even if the Reds, who only won 83 games in the regular season, somehow make it to the World Series, history indicates their run will end there. They still need to beat the Dodgers and Phillies, who went a combined 8-4 against Cincinnati in the regular season, just to make the NLCS.

San Diego Padres: The Padres boast one of the best bullpens in baseball, which is a good sign for potential October success. The problem for them is that the starting rotation of a struggling Dylan Cease, Michael King, who missed huge chunks of time with injury, and a struggling Yu Darvish might not give the bullpen a chance.

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs resemble the Tigers in how they blew a division lead, but they did that back in August, so everyone forgot. Kyle Tucker is only just back from injury, and Pete Crow-Armstrong was dreadful in the second half. If they can’t find form, the Cubs will be an early exit.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers have one of the most talented rosters in baseball history, but it might all be for nothing if their bullpen falls apart like it did during the regular season. Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen are two of their most trusted relievers and have ERAs of 4.74 and 5.40 and have 13 blown saves combined.

Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies have several areas for concern, the biggest of which is the rotation without Zack Wheeler. Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo both have consistency issues and will be called on to start Games 2 and 3, much like the lineup in the last two postseasons that the Phillies were upset in.

Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers were the best team in baseball from June onwards, and now they have to win in the postseason. They have not won a playoff series since 2018 against the Rockies, and this group can be undone by failing in the clutch like they do every single year.

Nate Johns is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jzn5275@psu.edu.