NHL Power Rankings: A new No. 1, plus the biggest surprises of the 2023-24 season
-
Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
There have been some significant surprises during the 2023-24 NHL season thus far: the Edmonton Oilers being the first team to fire its head coach (thanks to hanging out near the bottom of the standings); the Vegas Golden Knights encountering anything but a Stanley Cup hangover; the Vancouver Canucks being all over the scoring leaderboard and early-season awards ballots.
What have been the biggest positive surprises for each team? That’s what we aim to explore this week, along with unveiling a new 1-32 order in the Power Rankings, led by a new team at No. 1.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors each send in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 10. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 86.67%
Next seven days: vs. MTL (Nov. 18), @ TB (Nov. 20), @ FLA (Nov. 22)
Boston surprised us all — again! — by rocketing up the standings and then refusing to budge. The Bruins defied all preseason predictions and projections about their age and depth and loss of key personnel. Boston is a beast once more. We should have seen that coming.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 79.41%
Next seven days: @ PHI (Nov. 18), @ PIT (Nov. 19), @ DAL (Nov. 22)
Vegas has been almost entirely healthy to start this season — and frankly, that’s a surprise. Has any team dealt with compounding injuries like the Golden Knights’ in seasons past? In the early going this season, Vegas is at basically full strength — and holds a top spot in the standings to prove it.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 82.14%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Nov. 18), @ DAL (Nov. 20), @ PIT (Nov. 22)
New York is enjoying some of Jonathan Quick‘s best work in years — and that’s a surprise. Less than a year ago Los Angeles was parting ways with a goaltender who appeared past his prime. Hold that thought. The 37-year-old Quick has had a remarkable resurgence with the Rangers, to the tune of a 4-0-1 record, .928 save percentage and 1.98 goals-against average. Bully for the Blueshirts.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 73.53%
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Nov. 18), vs. SJ (Nov. 20), @ COL (Nov. 22)
Vancouver is the surprise of the season, full stop. Who would have thought Elias Pettersson was ready to pop off, Quinn Hughes would be a Norris Trophy front-runner, Thatcher Demko would be exceptional and the Canucks themselves would be one of the NHL’s best teams? And all at once! Vancouver has pulled out all the (shocking) stops.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 76.67%
Next seven days: vs. COL (Nov. 18), vs. NYR (Nov. 20), vs. VGK (Nov. 22)
Dallas is getting a surprising star turn from Wyatt Johnston. He came out of the gate averaging nearly a point per game to lead the Stars in scoring as we approach the quarter mark. Johnston is also a strong performer on the penalty kill, even tallying shorthanded goals in consecutive games.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 70.00%
Next seven days: vs. STL (Nov. 18), @ ARI (Nov. 20)
Los Angeles took a chance on Cam Talbot. It has played out surprisingly well for them. The veteran netminder has put a down year in Ottawa behind him and whipped up a shockingly good start through 10 games for the Kings (7-3-1, .923 SV%, 2.21 GAA). Talbot has been through his share of turmoil, but a rebirth in L.A. is paying dividends.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 65.63%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Nov. 17), vs. EDM (Nov. 20), vs. BOS (Nov. 22)
Florida has played primarily without two of its top defenseman (Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour) and yet the Panthers have remained surprisingly stout defensively. They’re top 10 in goals against (averaging fewer than three per game), and Sergei Bobrovsky has been on point in the crease. Florida deserves ample credit for its unexpected goal-prevention fortitude.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 66.67%
Next seven days: @ DAL (Nov. 18), @ NSH (Nov. 20), vs. VAN (Nov. 22)
Colorado has had something going in net with Alexandar Georgiev. Granted, he and the Avalanche at large have hit the skids recently, but that doesn’t totally diminish how surprisingly well Georgiev started (6-2-0, .915 SV%, 2.40 GAA) in his new environment. If Colorado can shore up its defensive play, expect Georgiev to bounce back into form, too.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 60.00%
Next seven days: vs. DET (Nov. 17), vs. MIN (Nov. 19)
Toronto has ached for consistency from William Nylander. Well, consider this season thus far as Nylander answering that bell. The winger surprisingly emerged as the club’s top scorer (with 22 points through 15 games) and has shown genuine defensive effort and timely playmaking. Nylander used to be all hot and cold; this season he’s unexpectedly even keeled, and it has been everything for Toronto.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 59.38%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Nov. 17), vs. NJ (Nov. 22)
Detroit announced itself with a surprisingly strong early push that showed off not only the Red Wings’ enviable scoring depth (Alex DeBrincat has fit in seamlessly, thanks for asking) but also their ability to tap into the defensive habits that were missing in previous campaigns. The inevitable ebbs and flows will happen, but that unexpected opening salvo showed the Red Wings have potential to make a push for the playoffs this season.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 56.25%
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Nov. 18), vs. EDM (Nov. 22)
Carolina has been waiting on the best of Jesperi Kotkaniemi and by gosh, this might be it. Kotkaniemi was the Hurricanes’ surprising points leader through 13 games, and has paired that offensive prowess with sound defensive play. Dare we anoint Kotkaniemi a bona fide two-way center now? He certainly looks the part.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 56.25%
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Nov. 17), vs. STL (Nov. 19), vs. MTL (Nov. 22)
Anaheim boasts a striking rookie talent in Leo Carlsson. The 18-year-old’s surprisingly positive start included becoming the youngest Ducks player in history to score a hat trick, to go along with his nearly point-per-game output. There are growing pains for any freshman, but Carlsson hasn’t looked one bit out of place on the game’s biggest stage.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 60.00%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 17), vs. ARI (Nov. 18), @ TB (Nov. 22)
Winnipeg’s depth has been its surprisingly stabilizer — and greatest asset. While Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele can put up points, others like Nino Niederreiter, Mason Appleton and Cole Perfetti have been linchpins in helping the Jets stay upright through early-season ups and downs. Winnipeg appears to have a good base in place.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 64.29%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 18), vs. BUF (Nov. 22)
Washington has been boosted by a surprising youth movement. Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas are leading a charge of emerging stars who have put Washington back on a winning path (compared to earlier this season when they were not). Given Alex Ovechkin still walks among them, we didn’t anticipate Washington’s future stepping to the forefront. But it’s been a real positive.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 56.67%
Next seven days: @ LA (Nov. 18), @ ANA (Nov. 19), @ ARI (Nov. 22)
St. Louis has shown a surprising amount of pop lately, like in a dynamic 8-2 win over Colorado (which included hat tricks from Brayden Schenn and Pavel Buchnevich). That was the Blues’ fourth win in five games and has them tracking in a positive direction following a disappointing 2022-23. Helping that cause? An unexpectedly strong start from Jordan Binnington (.923 SV%, 2.52 GAA). The Blues’ top tender being back in tip-top shape is everything.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 56.67%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Nov. 18), @ DET (Nov. 22)
New Jersey owns the league’s best power play — thanks to a surprising series of newcomers. Tyler Toffoli — acquired via trade — along with rookie defenseman Luke Hughes (and, of course, his brother Jack prior to injury) plus assistant coach Travis Green — who replaced the departing Andrew Brunette — have powered the Devils’ special teams to lofty heights. Where would New Jersey be without its potent power play?
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 53.33%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Nov. 18), vs. VGK (Nov. 19), vs. NYR (Nov. 22)
Pittsburgh has one veteran defenseman playing surprisingly well this season — and we’re not talking Erik Karlsson. Kris Letang has taken a back seat to the Penguins’ other star blueliner and somehow that’s propelled Letang towards some of his most efficient — and entertaining — hockey. Whether it’s killing penalties, closing out wins or simply patrolling the blue line with ease, Letang looks a decade younger than his 36 years.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 52.94%
Next seven days: vs. EDM (Nov. 18), vs. BOS (Nov. 20), vs. WPG (Nov. 22)
Tampa Bay got Andrei Vasilevskiy back at practice this week in surprisingly short order following his back surgery eight weeks ago. The Lightning are at their best with Vasilevskiy between the pipes, and it’s a shot in the arm for the team to see him recovering at a (slightly) accelerated speed.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 56.25%
Next seven days: @ WPG (Nov. 18), vs. LA (Nov. 20), vs. STL (Nov. 22)
Arizona may be the most fun surprise of the season simply because expectations were decidedly low from the outset. But these Coyotes have no quit, and the likes of Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Sean Durzi and Logan Cooley have made Arizona into a team that has a real chance to win each night. That’s a nice boost from recent lackluster seasons.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 53.13%
Next seven days: vs. VGK (Nov. 18), vs. CBJ (Nov. 19), @ NYI (Nov. 22)
Philadelphia can be scattered. Joel Farabee is their surprising calm in a storm. The 23-year-old is no longer on the cusp but fully arrived as an offensive presence with confidence and skill to spare. The future looks bright for Farabee with the Flyers.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 47.06%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Nov. 18), @ ANA (Nov. 22)
Montreal is stacked with young stars, but it’s veteran Sean Monahan who has been the biggest surprise. Putting injury troubles behind him has allowed Monahan to look better than he has in years and that productivity — kicking in at nearly a point-per-game pace — is helping keep the Canadiens in contention each game.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 46.88%
Next seven days: @ CGY (Nov. 18), vs. PHI (Nov. 22)
New York has benefitted from Noah Dobson‘s surprising breakout. The 23-year-old has taken a serious step over last season and not only averages nearly a point per game (to lead the Islanders in scoring), but looks good defensively doing it while eating up over 25 minutes per game to boot.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 46.88%
Next seven days: @ WPG (Nov. 17), @ CHI (Nov. 19), @ WSH (Nov. 22)
Buffalo has some serious talents — and J.J. Peterka is proving to be among them. It’s been a breakout season for the Sabres’ forward, from his consistent production (10 points in 15 games) to timely playmaking to smart defensive skills. Basically, Peterka appears to be the whole package — and that’s positivity Buffalo needs to believe in.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 40.00%
Next seven days: vs. OTT (Nov. 18), vs. TOR (Nov. 19)
Minnesota is having a moment with Marco Rossi. The 22-year-old came into this season expected to take on a bottom-six role, but Rossi surprisingly worked his way into a top-line rotation. Through 15 games Rossi had already bested all previous career marks with five goals and eight points. Bet the Wild didn’t see that production coming so soon.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 18)
Ottawa has been through quite a bit already this season. What Mathieu Joseph has accomplished amid those struggles is worth generating some positivity. Joseph tallied 12 points in his first 13 games (11 at even strength) and has improved his all-around game to the point where coach DJ Smith can trust him almost anywhere.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 44.44%
Next seven days: @ VAN (Nov. 18), vs. CGY (Nov. 20), vs. SJ (Nov. 22)
Seattle has an unlikely hero on its hands with Eeli Tolvanen. He’s brought the Kraken consistency in an otherwise tumultuous campaign, and his chemistry with Jaden Schwartz is divine. Tolvanen could be a catalyst in Seattle working its way back into playoff contention this season.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 43.75%
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Nov. 18), @ SEA (Nov. 20), @ NSH (Nov. 22)
Calgary has a surprising performer on its hands with rookie Martin Pospisil. The freshman forward made his NHL debut this month and collected two goals and three points in his first four games. Pospisil overcame a litany of injuries to finally realize this NHL dream. That’s the kind of positive energy these Flames need to tap into throughout the years ahead.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 35.71%
Next seven days: @ NSH (Nov. 18), vs. BUF (Nov. 19), @ CBJ (Nov. 22)
Chicago is all about Connor Bedard. But don’t sleep on the surprisingly important contributions from Corey Perry. He’s top three in points for the Blackhawks while bringing good energy to 5-on-5 play and special teams. Not to mention, he can be nasty when he wants to be. Perry has been more than expected.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 36.67%
Next seven days: @ TB (Nov. 18), @ FLA (Nov. 20), @ CAR (Nov. 22)
Edmonton is lacking in good surprises this season, but Evan Bouchard might fall kitty corner to that category. He’s produced offensively (three goals and 12 points in 13 games) and Bouchard’s defensive play has eclipsed most of his teammates’. That’s something!
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 33.33%
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Nov. 18), vs. COL (Nov. 20), vs. CGY (Nov. 22)
Nashville loaded up on veterans this offseason and Ryan O’Reilly has been cream of that crop. The veteran’s surprisingly stellar start (eight goals and 12 points in 14 games) had to be the best-case scenario these Predators had envisioned in signing O’Reilly. His adaptability and elite-level output has been welcomed.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 35.29%
Next seven days: @ WSH (Nov. 18), @ PHI (Nov. 19), vs. CHI (Nov. 22)
Columbus has to like what Jack Roslovic is doing. The Blue Jackets forward has endured ups and downs early in his career to finally appear settled and productive in a consistent role that’s led to more responsibility and ice time. If Roslovic can keep that up, he might Columbus’ most surprising storyline of the entire season.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 20.59%
Next seven days: @ VAN (Nov. 20), @ SEA (Nov. 22)
San Jose beating Edmonton for their second win of the season (which came in consecutive games!) has to be the surprising high point in an otherwise historically challenging season for the Sharks. Granted, it’s been a terrible season for the Oilers, but besting Connor McDavid & Co. in any season is something on which to hang one’s hat.
Gunner Stockton passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns, including three to tight end Lawson Luckie, and No. 9 Georgia overcame Trinidad Chambliss and No. 5 Mississippi’s powerful offense to rally for a 43-35 win over the Rebels on Saturday.
Georgia (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) rallied after trailing 35-26 at the start of the fourth quarter. Stockton’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Luckie with 7:29 remaining gave Georgia a 40-35 lead.
Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1) was denied its first road win over a top 10 team under coach Lane Kiffin even though the Rebels scored touchdowns on their first five possessions.
Stockton completed 26 of 31 passes and added a 22-yard scoring run in the crucial SEC showdown.
“It was a great day,” Stockton said. “We just played for each other and that’s the best part of our team.”
Stockton and the Bulldogs had no turnovers.
In previewing the game, Kiffin said winning at Georgia would mean the Rebels have taken “another step” in their move up the SEC. That looked likely when they scored touchdowns on each of their first five possessions, taking a nine-point lead in the third quarter.
Suddenly, the Ole Miss offense lost its magic as Georgia did not give up another first down.
Following the first punt of the game by either team with 12:44 remaining, Stockton led a nine-play, 67-yard drive capped by the 7-yard scoring pass to Luckie that gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the second half.
Following another stop by Georgia’s defense, Stockton led a 10-play drive to set up Peyton Woodring‘s third field goal of the game, a 42-yarder, to stretch the lead to eight points with 2:06 remaining.
Sports
World Series Drought-Buster Watch: Which MLB playoff teams could end longest runs without titles?
Editor’s note: This file originally ran on Oct. 2, 2025 with seven teams that have gone longer than 30 years without a title remaining and will be updated with teams removed as they are eliminated from the 2025 postseason
Mathematical probability, in a perfectly equitable distribution of championships, means each MLB team would win a World Series once every 30 years. That is not the world we live in, of course, so many franchises have experienced long title droughts that have stretched into multiple decades. There is even one that has never appeared in the Fall Classic.
That establishes a super fun element to this year’s postseason. We have several playoff teams who have gone longer than 30 years since their last World Series championship — including the Milwaukee Brewers, who have never won, and the Seattle Mariners, who have still never reached the World Series 48 years into their franchise history.
Maybe, just maybe, some team’s long-suffering fans will experience that euphoria of winning the final game of the season.
Yes, it’s the year of the World Series Drought-Buster Watch. Let’s look at those seven franchises, what went wrong through the years, and why this may finally be The Year.
Milwaukee Brewers
Last World Series title: None (franchise debuted in 1969, moved to Milwaukee in 1970).
Last World Series appearance: 1982 (lost to the Cardinals in seven games).
Closest call since then: Lost the 2018 NLCS to the Dodgers in seven games.
Three painful postseason moments:
-
Leading 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 7 of the 1982 World Series, the Cardinals load the bases with one out. Keith Hernandez hits a two-run single off Bob McClure and George Hendrick follows with a go-ahead single as the Cardinals go on to a 6-3 win. Brewers fans will always wonder what the outcome might have been if Hall of Fame reliever Rollie Fingers, who got injured in September, had not missed the World Series.
-
Pete Alonso‘s three-run, go-ahead home run in the ninth inning off Devin Williams in last year’s Game 3 of the wild-card series.
-
Leading the Nationals 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth of the 2019 wild-card game, Josh Hader loads the bases with a hit batter, single and walk. With two outs, Juan Soto singles to right field and rookie Trent Grisham overruns the ball, allowing all three runners to score.
Why they haven’t won: Lack of offense has led to early playoff exits.
For a long time, the Brewers were just bad. They didn’t have a winning season from 1993 to 2006. Current owner Mark Attanasio bought the team from the Selig family in 2005, however, and after a breakthrough season in 2008, the Brewers have mostly been competitive since, despite the challenges of playing in MLB’s smallest market. The Prince Fielder-Ryan Braun teams were built around offense, but the teams under managers Craig Counsell and now Pat Murphy have centered more on pitching, defense, speed and doing the little things well.
While Christian Yelich was an MVP in 2018 and runner-up in 2019, the recent teams have often lacked one true offensive star to anchor the lineup. That’s one reason the Brewers have had trouble scoring enough runs in the postseason, and that has led to losses in that 2019 wild-card game and wild-card series in 2020, 2023 and 2024. They were in the NLDS in 2021, but scored just six runs in four games, including two shutouts. Overall, the Brewers have gone 2-10 in the playoffs since 2019 entering this year and have hit just .229/.290/.351.
Why this could be the year: Even though the Brewers still don’t have that superstar hitter and rank below average in home runs, this is a deep, good offensive team. Only the Yankees and Dodgers scored more runs during the regular season. Only the Blue Jays struck out less among the playoff teams. And the Brewers do have guys who can hit home runs: Yelich has had his best power season since 2019; Brice Turang has slugged over .500 in the second half; Jackson Chourio can hit it out; and William Contreras hit nine home runs in August, so if he gets hot at the right time, he can help carry a lineup.
The Brewers also earned the No. 1 overall seed and have played well at home, with a 51-29 record. That could be a nice advantage. And even without the injured Trevor Megill, this is a strong bullpen with hard-throwing Abner Uribe capable of closing down leads. The Brewers had the best record for a reason: They’ve quieted skeptics and have remained the most consistent team all season long.
Seattle Mariners
Last World Series title: None (franchise debuted in 1977).
Last World Series appearance: None.
Closest call: Lost the 1995 ALCS to Cleveland and the 2000 ALCS to the Yankees, both in six games. Also lost the 2001 ALCS in five games. Were up 2-1 in the 1995 ALCS against Cleveland, but a powerful Mariners lineup got shut out twice in the final three games.
Three painful postseason moments:
-
Leading 1-0 and looking to tie the 2001 ALCS against the Yankees at two games apiece, New York’s Bernie Williams ties the game with an eighth-inning home run off Arthur Rhodes, and Alfonso Soriano hits a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth off Kazuhiro Sasaki.
-
Rhodes again. In Game 6 of the 2000 ALCS, the Mariners are leading the Yankees 4-3 in the seventh when David Justice blasts a three-run homer off Rhodes and sends Yankee Stadium into a deafening roar.
-
Back in the playoffs in 2022 for the first time since 2001, the Mariners lead the Astros 7-3 in the eighth inning in the division series. Alex Bregman hits a two-run homer in the eighth. With two on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, manager Scott Servais summons starter Robbie Ray out of the bullpen to face Yordan Alvarez. Wrong decision. Alvarez blasts a game-winning three-run homer.
Why they haven’t won: Bad offenses and, for the longest time, bad drafting. And just missing the playoffs.
The Mariners couldn’t win in the mid-to-late ’90s despite a roster that featured Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez. Then came the miracle season of 2001, when they won a record 116 games with only Martinez still on the roster. Then came the long playoff drought, from 2002 to 2021. Those teams were marked mostly by inept offense: They once finished last in the AL in runs four straight seasons. In 2010, they traded for Cliff Lee and went all-in on pitching and defense. ESPN The Magazine put them on its cover. They lost 101 games.
Jerry Dipoto was hired as GM after the 2015 season and began turning things around. He drafted Logan Gilbert and George Kirby in the first round in 2018 and 2019, Cal Raleigh was a third-round pick in 2018, Bryan Woo was a sixth-round pick in 2021. The organization signed Julio Rodriguez in 2017. Since 2021, the Mariners have had five straight winning seasons and are seventh in the majors in wins — but this is only their second playoff appearance, having just missed in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Why this could be the year: With Raleigh’s historic campaign leading the way, this is the best offense the Mariners have had in 25 years, with their highest wRC+ since 2001. Dipoto’s deadline trades for Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez created one of the best one-through-nine groups in the majors. They ranked third in the majors in home runs, and Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena and Naylor (!) each stole 30 bases. The Mariners’ bullpen isn’t super deep, but the late-game foursome of Andres Munoz, Matt Brash, Eduard Bazardo and Gabe Speier has been reliable.
As that stretch of 17 wins in 18 games in September showed, the starting pitching might finally be living up to the preseason expectations following a stellar 2024 season. The concern is Woo’s health. Seattle’s best starter all season with 15 wins and a 2.97 ERA, Woo left his final start with inflammation in his pectoral muscle. The Mariners still have Gilbert, Kirby and Luis Castillo, but if the only franchise never to reach a World Series is to get there, a healthy Woo feels necessary.
Last World Series title: 1993
Last World Series appearance: 1993 (beat the Phillies in six games).
Closest call since then: Lost the 2015 ALCS in six games to Kansas City. Also lost the 2016 ALCS, in five games, to Cleveland.
Three painful postseason moments:
-
Game 6 of the 2015 ALCS is tied in the eighth when Kansas City’s Lorenzo Cain draws a leadoff walk. Eric Hosmer then singles to right field with Cain heading to third, and when Jose Bautista throws the ball into second base, Cain keeps on sprinting home for the winning run in a 4-3 victory.
-
In Game 2 of that series, the Blue Jays lead 3-0 in the seventh, but manager John Gibbons leaves in a tiring David Price to give up five hits and five runs.
-
The Blue Jays blow an 8-2 lead at home in Game 2 of the 2022 wild-card series against Seattle. The winning runs come up when J.P. Crawford clears the bases with a bloop double to center field as a diving George Springer collides with Bo Bichette.
Why they haven’t won: A tough division and the bats going dry in October.
After back-to-back World Series titles in ’92 and ’93, the Blue Jays went 20 years without a playoff appearance even though they were rarely bad in that period. They just couldn’t beat the Yankees and Red Sox or, later, the Rays and Orioles. They finally broke through and won the American League East in 2015 with the Josh Donaldson/Jose Bautista team that scored 127 more runs than any other AL team. They lost to the Royals in the ALCS that year and to Cleveland in 2016 — when the Jays scored just eight runs in five games. Remember when Cleveland had to start an obscure minor leaguer named Ryan Merritt, who had started one game in the majors, in Game 5 because they had no other starters? He tossed 4⅔ shutout innings.
In recent years, the Blue Jays went 0-6 in wild-card series in 2020, 2022 and 2023, scoring three runs in 2020, getting shut out once in 2022, and scoring one run in two games against the Twins in 2023. Entering 2025, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit .136 in six playoff games (no home runs, one RBI) and Bichette .273 with the same no home runs and one RBI.
Why this could be the year: This is a better Blue Jays club than those past three playoff teams. They have home-field advantage throughout the AL bracket and went 54-27 at home. Since May 27, only the Brewers have a better record, and they do things that work in postseason baseball: They play good defense and they had the lowest strikeout rate in the majors. Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber give them a strong 1-2 punch and rookie Trey Yesavage could be a huge secret weapon, either as a starter or reliever, despite just 14 innings in the majors. Plus, Guerrero and Bichette (if he’s healthy) are due to finally do something in October.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024