The New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians are all one step closer to the ultimate goal. Now a best of seven series in each MLB Championship Series will decide who plays in the World Series. There are many interesting storylines to follow such as three teams with a bye advancing to the League Championship Series. Here is one thing key for each team to have success in the Championship Series.
New York Mets: Francisco Lindor/Pete Alonso
The Mets miracle run continues as they now face the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets stars have shown up on the biggest stage. Both Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso have each delivered big moments in the clutch already in October. However, to beat the Dodgers the Mets will not be able to rely on their offense to kick into gear late. Lindor and Alonso will have to set the tone early each game.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Pitching
The Dodgers pitching staff has been decimated by injuries this season. Now in a seven game series they will have to find a way. Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto headline the rotation, but the bullpen will have to step up against the Mets like they did against the Padres. Flaherty and Yamamoto have had shaky starts, but on the biggest stage the Dodgers will need their best.
New York Yankees: Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge has yet to make a huge mark on the postseason. The superstar hit 50-plus home runs in the regular season, but has not gone deep this postseason. The Yankees have not found much postseason success in Judge’s tenure, but he has a chance to change that against the Guardians. The Yankees have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and have all the pieces to make it to the World Series, but it starts with Judge.
Cleveland Guardians: Emmanuel Clase
Emmanuel Clase has been one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball for three seasons. He is the best weapon the Guardians have out of the bullpen. His performance is key because the Yankees have already played multiple close games this postseason. If the Guardians have the lead in the eighth or ninth inning they will lean on Clase to secure things. He blew a save against the Tigers, but the Guardians cannot afford that against the Yankees.
WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Shohei Ohtani along with Teoscar Hernández hugs relief pitcher Blake Treinen #49 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after defeating the San Diego Padres 2-0 to win game 5 of the National League Division Series and move on to the NLCS against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, October 11, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
