AL Division Series storylines: Historic rivalries and new challengers

Bobby Witt Jr. versus Aaron Judge

A clash of generations unfolds as the Royals' Witt squares off against the Yankees' Judge. Both are likely to finish 1-2 in MVP voting, with Judge leading MLB in seven offensive categories and Witt emerging as one of the game's best all-around players. 

Judge is under pressure to deliver for the Yankees, while Witt aims to maintain his .367 batting average against them this season.

Can the Royals find a power source?

The Royals' offense struggled mightily in September: 30th in slugging percentage, tied for 30th in home runs, 30th in OPS, and 30th in runs scored. 

Kansas City must rely on more than just Witt to keep pace with the Yankees' lineup (4th in SLG in 2024). 

Keep an eye on catcher Salvador Perez as a potential X-factor for the Royals.

How will the Yankees piece together their pitching?

The Yankees will lean on right-hander Gerrit Cole in Game 1, followed by left-hander Carlos Rodon making his playoff debut in pinstripes for Game 2. 

Game 3 remains uncertain, with Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt as potential starters. Both could also see relief action in the first two games. 

The bullpen situation remains fluid, with Luke Weaver and Tommy Kahnle likely seeing high-leverage innings over the struggling Clay Holmes.

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians

The Tigers and Guardians are set to make MLB history on Saturday as the AL Central rivals face each other in the postseason for the first time.

Tarik Skubal versus Jose Ramirez

Left-hander Tarik Skubal's performance in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series (6 IP, 4 H, 73% strikes) sets a high bar for the Tigers' rotation. 

He'll need to be at his best to counter Cleveland's third baseman Jose Ramirez, who fell shy of a 40/40 season and closed out the regular season on a tear.

How will the Guardians use their historically good bullpen?

Cleveland's bullpen strategy will be crucial, boasting the fourth-best ERA of any relief corps since 1995. 

Rookie Cade Smith will likely handle the first high-leverage situation, with Hunter Gaddis owning the eighth inning. All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase will lock down the ninth. 

With off-days between Games 1, 2, and 3, expect manager Steven Vogt to deploy his relievers aggressively. 

What will give: the Tigers' magic or the Guardians' steady presence?

The contrast in styles is stark. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch embraces "pitching chaos" with the youngest roster in MLB. 

Detroit enters as baseball's hottest team, riding a 17-8 August record to a 39-26 second-half surge that secured their wild-card berth. After sweeping the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series, they'll look to maintain this momentum.

Cleveland, meanwhile, relies on the steady culture built by Terry Francona and maintained by Vogt. 

The Guardians have been one of baseball's best teams all season, narrowly missing the AL's top seed by just two games. Their consistent excellence sets up an intriguing clash with Detroit's late-season heroics.