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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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The MLB postseason field is set. It took until the final day of the regular season, but 12 teams are locked in for October.
Choosing your rooting interest isn't hard this year — there's something for everyone, and reason for fans of every team to believe. Here are six matchups everyone can root for.
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The hipster matchup: Rays-Brewers
Good if: You're a fan of small ball, anti-salary cap arguments, and the importance of the regular season.
Why it will happen: The Rays and Brewers were the best teams in their respective leagues in the regular season, are well-managed, and have enjoyed enough tastes of the postseason to meet the moment.
Why it won't happen: Home runs are an important difference-maker when facing the caliber of pitching common in the postseason, and both of these teams are relatively short on sluggers.
Common sense says: One of these teams can make it. Both are unlikely, given the brand of offense they play.
The momentum matchup: Padres-Guardians
Good if: You're a fan of bullpens, underdogs, and are ready for a new champion.
Why it will happen: The Padres have a deep bullpen, MLB's best offense in September, and the second-best record in the National League since July 1. The Guardians have the AL's best record since Aug. 19 and their bullpen might be deeper than the Padres'.
Why it won't happen: Rotation depth is a weakness for both teams. The Guardians' best player, Jose Ramirez, has scuffled all season. The Padres have a tough path to the World Series.
Common sense says: Momentum is only as important as that day's starting pitcher. Someone beyond the Guardians' Parker Messick and Gavin Williams, and the Padres' Michael King, will need to step up for this matchup to happen.
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The historic matchup: Yankees-Dodgers
Good if: You're a fan of baseball history, pro-salary cap arguments, and star power (maybe).
Why it will happen: When healthy, the Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani are the two best players in baseball. Their talent covers over a lot of flaws. If postseason experience and pitching depth count, these teams have plenty of both.
Why it won't happen: Neither Judge nor Ohtani finished the season close to full health, and they weren't alone in their respective trainers' rooms. These are two of the older teams in MLB; at times it showed. A younger team could wear them down, particularly if they're missing their best players.
Common sense says: The 2024 rematch can happen if Judge and Ohtani look like themselves — or, failing that, a new October star emerges on both sides.
The Chicago matchup: White Sox-Cubs
Good if: You live in Chicago, or want a reason to visit the Windy City in October.
Why it will happen: Pete Crow-Armstrong was baseball's best all-around player once Ohtani stopped pitching, and the Cubs play better defense than any team. The White Sox are the young, fun team no one saw coming and are already playing with house money.
Why it won't happen: Both teams faded down the stretch; the White Sox ceded first place in the AL Central to the Guardians in September, while the Cubs let the Padres seize home-field advantage in the wild-card race. Neither is the best team in their league on paper.
Common sense says: The Cubs' defense and underdog mentality might take them farther than expected, but the World Series might be a stretch. The White Sox should be commended merely for reaching the postseason.
The interim matchup: Red Sox-Phillies
Good if: You're feeling nostalgic for the 1915 World Series — the two historic franchises haven't met in the postseason since then.
Why it will happen: After firing their managers in April, Boston and Philadelphia eventually took off under interim skippers Chad Tracy and Don Mattingly, respectively. The talent on each roster is undeniable, with a good mix of youth and experience.
Why it won't happen: The Phillies' defense is one of the league's worst, their bullpen is in flux, and their offense struggled in September. The Red Sox don't hit a ton of home runs, and will need all of their pitching depth if some underachieving hitters don't show up.
Common sense says: As much as they surged after the interims took over, neither team has much margin for error. What the Phillies lack in pitching depth, the Red Sox lack in lineup depth — flaws that are likely to be exposed before the World Series.
The weird matchup: Astros vs. Braves
Good if: You're a fan of the Astros or Braves.
Why it will happen: The Astros would make the least likely pennant winner ever and, well, records are made to be broken? The Braves have a deep bullpen, a multi-faceted lineup, and a bona fide ace in left-hander Chris Sale.
Why it won't happen: The Astros backed into the postseason via the weakest division race ever. Sale's magic could run out at 37, and Atlanta's rotation is relatively thin after him.
Common sense says: Stranger things have happened than this Braves team running the table on the National League. Stranger things have not happened than a .500 team reaching the World Series.
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