Navigating Uncertain Waters: The 2023 Playoff Teams Facing Steep Odds in 2024
As Major League Baseball heads into spring training, every team starts with a clean slate and high hopes for the 2024 season. However, recent history shows that on average, about half of the previous year’s 10 playoff teams failed to make it back the following season, highlighting the dynamic nature of the competition and the potential opportunities for top live betting.
This year, these 5 teams from the 2023 postseason face substantial challenges in trying to secure a return trip:
- Miami Marlins
The Marlins squeaked into the 2023 playoffs with just 84 wins and a -57 run differential, suggesting they benefited from some good fortune. And that was with key contributors like ace Sandy Alcantara and slugger Jorge Soler. With Alcantara now out for 2024 after Tommy John surgery and Soler departed in free agency, Miami’s outlook appears bleak.
Not only did the Marlins fail to adequately replace those stars, but new baseball ops head Peter Bendix largely stood pat with the same supporting cast that overachieved last season. While Miami has some talented young players, it still looks a year or two away from legitimate contention. Expect the Marlins to sink back to the bottom of the NL East in 2024.
- Milwaukee Brewers
After making the playoffs 4 years in a row, the Brewers face a transition season in 2024. Milwaukee lost superstar Corbin Burnes in an offseason trade and bidding farewell to franchise icons like Craig Counsell and David Stearns.
While the Brewers moved quickly to re-sign Brandon Woodruff and added offensive help like Rhys Hoskins, this is still a team with plenty of questions. The rotation lacks an ace after Burnes’ departure and the lineup remains unproven.
If the season goes sideways, don’t be surprised if GM Matt Arnold opts to trade players on expiring deals like Willy Adames and Devin Williams to kickstart a mini-reboot. In a tough NL Central, a .500 record may be the ceiling for this Brewers squad.
- Minnesota Twins
Despite winning the AL Central last season, the Twins lost significant talent this winter. Gone are Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle and veterans like Jorge Polanco and Joey Gallo. While additions like Michael A. Taylor and Logan Morrison add depth, Minnesota largely stood pat.
The Twins still have enviable high-end talent, led by AL batting champ Luis Arraez and rising superstar Jhoan Duran. But question marks abound behind them, especially in an unproven rotation. Minnesota remains the division favorite, but by a slimmer margin. Few teams had quieter off seasons among 2023 playoff clubs, increasing doubts about the Twins’ staying power.
- Tampa Bay Rays
Betting against the resourceful Rays has often proven unwise, but 2023’s AL East champs face a daunting road back to October baseball. Tampa Bay will begin 2024 without injured aces Shane McClanahan and Tyler Glasnow, leaving a paper-thin rotation behind 38-year-old Corey Kluber.
The Rays have unearthed pitching gems before but will be asking a lot from rookies Taj Bradley and Ryan Pepiot. Offensively, Tampa Bay will rely on prospects like Jonathan Aranda and René Pinto rather than make significant additions. In the brutal AL East, that might not be enough to keep pace with the big spenders. Still, underestimate the Rays at your own peril.
- Texas Rangers
On paper, the Rangers should compete again after breaking through to win the 2022 World Series. But Texas begins spring training with huge questions thanks to injuries. Co-aces Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer will miss time early along with newcomer Tyler Mahle.
The Rangers have enviable depth, with Andrew Heaney, Jon Gray and Nathan Eovaldi topping the rotation until the stars return. But Texas needs its horses at full strength to keep pace in the daunting AL West race. Offensively, signing Jacob Stallings bolsters a squad that is otherwise banking on internal improvement.
The Rangers are still supremely talented and have the defending champion pedigree. Health and development of the supporting cast will determine whether Texas can fight its way back to the Fall Classic.
The Road Back Won’t Be Easy
While nothing is set in stone and all five of these clubs have reasons for optimism, each faces an uphill battle to return to the 2023 postseason. Whether due to injuries, roster turnover, divisional competition, or plain old regression to the mean, these are the playoff teams from a year ago that have the most work to do just to get back to baseball free picks.
