Introduction

The 2024 MLB playoffs are set to kick off this Tuesday, bringing with them the promise of unforgettable moments and the chance for long-awaited triumphs. This postseason is particularly intriguing, with several teams battling against long droughts for a World Series title. Here’s a rundown of the franchises with the longest waits:

Teams with the Longest Championship Droughts

- The Cleveland Guardians hold the longest championship drought in MLB history, last winning the World Series in 1948.

- The San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers, both established in 1969, have never tasted World Series glory.

- The Baltimore Orioles last celebrated a title in 1983, while the Detroit Tigers last won in 1984.

- The New York Mets haven't been champions since 1986.

- The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies last appeared in the World Series in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Key Players for the 2024 Postseason

Can this year’s group of superstars help end these lengthy droughts? Here are the 40 players whose performances will be crucial in the coming October:

Top 20 Players

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH, Los Angeles Dodgers *Postseason Career:* None *Key Stat:* Ohtani became the first player to post a 50-home run and 50 stolen base season. Ohtani makes his postseason debut after an extraordinary regular season filled with home runs and managerial decisions during crucial plays.

2. Aaron Judge, CF, New York Yankees *Postseason Career:* .211/.310/.462, 13 HR, 25 RBIs *Key Stat:* Tied MLB record with 18 first-inning home runs. Judge is a powerhouse whose playoff struggles loom over his impressive stats. The Yankees rely on him to prove doubters wrong.

3. Juan Soto, RF, New York Yankees *Postseason Career:* .261/.349/.495, 7 HR, 21 RBIs *Key Stat:* .384 average in high-leverage situations. The talented Soto pairs with Judge to form a dynamic duo, potentially driving the Yankees to postseason success.

4. Bryce Harper, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies *Postseason Career:* .276/.383/.613, 16 HR, 31 RBIs *Key Stat:* Home performance with .313 average. Harper has a knack for postseason greatness, and with a stellar season behind him, he’s poised for another impactful postseason.

5. Yordan Alvarez, DH/LF, Houston Astros *Postseason Career:* .295/.393/.556, 12 HR, 41 RBIs *Key Stat:* Ranked second in OPS among players down the stretch. Alvarez’s powerful batting throughout the season makes him vital for the Astros' quest for another title.

6. Zack Wheeler, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies *Postseason Career:* 4-3, 2.42 ERA *Key Stat:* .192 average allowed, career best. Wheeler will be essential for the Phillies as they aim for pitcher-led successes in the playoffs.

7. Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Cleveland Guardians *Postseason Career:* 1-0, 0.00 ERA *Key Stat:* 0.61 ERA, among lowest ever for a minimum of 50 innings. The Guardians need Clase’s vitality to shore up their bullpen and accelerate their playoff run.

8. Mookie Betts, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers *Postseason Career:* .251/.333/.377 *Key Stat:* Struggles against fastballs with a dip in slugging percentage. Betts needs to reignite his postseason power for the Dodgers to advance.

9. Gerrit Cole, RHP, New York Yankees *Postseason Career:* 10-6, 2.93 ERA *Key Stat:* 25.4% strikeout rate. Cole’s experience and striking ability are a playoff necessity for the Yankees.

10. Manny Machado, 3B, San Diego Padres *Postseason Career:* .221/.273/.442 *Key Stat:* Led majors in grounding into double plays. All eyes are on Machado to break through in this postseason.

11. Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians *Postseason Career:* .242/.291/.347 *Key Stat:* 98th percentile in strikeout rate. A key player for the Guardians, Ramirez needs to deliver an outstanding performance.

12. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals *Postseason Career:* None *Key Stat:* Unique rookie records breaking franchise stats. Witt represents the future of Royals baseball, with great potential in his postseason debut.

13. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles *Postseason Career:* .500/.538/.750 *Key Stat:* Slugged .713 against breaking balls. Henderson’s performance indicates he could be a game-changer for the Orioles.

14. Tarik Skubal, LHP, Detroit Tigers *Postseason Career:* None *Key Stat:* Triple Crown winner leads Tigers to playoffs. Skubal’s first playoff appearance could mark the start of his legacy.

15. Max Fried, LHP, Atlanta Braves *Postseason Career:* 2-4, 4.57 ERA *Key Stat:* Led in pitch variability. Fried’s prior postseason experiences can only spell success going forward.

16. Francisco Lindor, SS, New York Mets *Postseason Career:* .257/.328/.467 *Key Stat:* Top-tier WAR performance outside of early struggles. Lindor’s role will be pivotal to the Mets’ efforts in the playoffs.

17. Framber Valdez, LHP, Houston Astros *Postseason Career:* 7-5, 4.24 ERA *Key Stat:* Eager to repeat his 2022 success. Valdez looks to regain his strong postseason form after a shaky last season.

18. Jack Flaherty, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers *Postseason Career:* 1-3, 3.60 ERA *Key Stat:* Elevated performance since joining Dodgers. Flaherty’s late-season adjustments make him a key component of the Dodgers' rotation.

19. Willy Adames, SS, Milwaukee Brewers *Postseason Career:* .220/.339/.350 *Key Stat:* Notable performances with situational power. Adames' few postseason chances would need to turn into significant contributions.

20. Marcell Ozuna, DH, Atlanta Braves *Postseason Career:* .248/.287/.450 *Key Stat:* Solid performance amidst Braves' offensive dynamics. Ozuna is expected to lead in situations that matter most.

Conclusion

This is just a glimpse into the overflowing talent ready to blaze bright this postseason. With these players stepping up, October promises to be an electrifying month for MLB fans — will a championship drought come to an end? Keep watching as the magic unfolds!