Astros' Playoff Streak Ends; Yankees Favored

The 2024 MLB playoffs have surprised many with unexpected team performances, such as the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals making significant postseason runs. Detroit's success is attributed to a strong pitching staff led by Tarik Skubal, despite injuries and trade deadline challenges, while the Royals' turnaround is credited to their revitalized rotation featuring Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. In contrast, the Houston Astros' playoff streak ended, and notable teams like the San Francisco Giants faced disappointing outcomes. The New York Yankees, led by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, are favorites in the playoffs, though their tendency for defensive errors could be a hindrance. Meanwhile, the Braves' postseason hopes were dashed by injuries, and the Cardinals missed the playoffs, with underwhelming performances from stars Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.