Our pick for the 2024 World Series

This October has kicked off with shocks and sweeps, leaving the road to the World Series wide open. With the wild-card round in the rearview mirror, we’re down to eight teams fighting for a shot at destiny. The Division Series, best-of-five matchups, are underway, and from here, it’s a long, winding road to the World Series.

So, who’s going to take it all? It’s a tricky question, and as with any postseason, it’s all about timing. Which team is getting hot at the right moment? Which lineup is firing on all cylinders? And can a dark horse emerge from the shadows to steal the show?

Here’s our take on how the rest of the 2024 postseason could shake out, complete with picks for each series - and who we think will hoist the trophy in the end.

ALDS Winners: Yankees, Guardians

The Yankees enter the playoffs like an old heavyweight champ. They’ve got the experience and power, even if they’re showing a few cracks around the edges. Their lineup, led by Aaron Judge, still has that home-run punch that can turn any game on its head. Plus, their bullpen remains one of the strongest in the league. Kansas City have had a Cinderella season, but midnight is about to sound at their ball.

The Guardians, on the other hand, are the younger, scrappier squad. They’re a team that relies on speed, defense, and smart baseball, a bit of a throwback to the days when analytics didn’t dominate every pitch. With Terry Francona at the helm, you can never count them out. They play tight, error-free ball, and they’ve been grinding out wins in high-pressure moments all season. The combination of Jose Ramirez’s leadership and a solid pitching staff should be enough to push them past Detroit.

NLDS Winners: Phillies, Padres

The Phillies are a team that seems to come alive in October. They’ve still got the core that took them to the World Series two years ago, and they’re hungry to prove that run wasn’t a fluke. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and company look like they’re on a mission. And don’t overlook their pitching; Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola have been as dependable as they come when it counts.

San Diego, meanwhile, is playing with a chip on its shoulder. This team has been built for this moment, with Manny Machado and Juan Soto leading the charge. There’s something almost poetic about their quest for a title, especially after team owner Peter Seidler’s passing. They want this for him, and that extra motivation makes them dangerous. If they can stay Healthy and their pitching holds up, they’re as tough as anyone. Yes, they dropped Game one to the Dodgers, but we feel that the worm will turn for them.

AL Champion: Yankees

As much as we love the Guardians’ hustle and resilience, the Yankees just have too much firepower. The postseason is often about star players showing up in big moments, and New York has plenty of those. Their pitching may not be as dominant as in past years, but Gerrit Cole can still take over a Game, and they’ve got enough depth in the lineup to cover their weak spots. In a seven-Game series, the Yankees find a way to get back to the Fall Classic.

NL Champion: Phillies

This feels like the Phillies’ year. They’ve been here before, they know what it takes, and they’ve got unfinished business. While the Padres have heart and talent, Philadelphia’s balance gives them the edge. Their lineup is dangerous, one through nine, and their pitching has a little more consistency than San Diego’s. The Phillies’ experience from their recent deep playoff runs will help them stay calm in tough spots, and that should be enough to send them back to the World Series.

World Series Winner: Phillies

It all comes down to this: the Yankees versus the Phillies, a rematch of the 2009 World Series. But this time, the script flips. The Phillies are a more complete team now, not as reliant on a few stars like they were in the past. Their lineup is deeper, and they’ve learned from the heartbreak of recent seasons. Harper, Turner, and the rest of this crew look ready to get the job done.

The Yankees will make it a fight - they always do - but Philadelphia has that late-inning magic. And when it’s all said and done, the Phillies win it in six Games, celebrating a well-earned championship. The parade down Broad Street feels like destiny.