Of all the merchandise fans can buy these days, the most charming, to me, is anything with a matchup. National League Champion vs. American League Champion! This Team vs. That Team! We don’t know who’s winning, but we know they start off even. Let’s honor that moment: the matchup.
A 12-team playoff field means 36 possible World Series combinations. All of them, in their own way, would be great. And while I personally don’t care about TV ratings – hey, they’re almost always low, it’s just a fact of modern MLB – some matchups sizzle louder than others.
What’ll we get? Who knows! The Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks started out as road wild-card teams last October and wound up as the last teams standing. It’s fall, when nobody knows anything.
Well, strike that. I do know I’ll hate the new helmet ads cluttering the scenery. To that end, let’s imagine a different kind of presenting sponsor – emcee, if you will – for each of these matchups: a prominent living alumni of both teams.
Works for me! Let’s go.
Emcee: Darrell Evans
This would be a 6-versus-6 matchup, and while there’s always some fun in bracket busting, with the Atlanta Braves so depleted and the Detroit Tigers just emerging from a long postseason slumber, it’s hard to generate a lot of buzz for this one.
Emcee: Brian McCann
Previous meeting: 2021 World Series (Braves, 4 games to 2)
Like Kansas City Royals/New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies/Houston Astros, we’ve seen this one in the past decade already – and it wasn’t too compelling, with the starters wheezing their way to the finish. (Max Fried excepted.) That said, it’s a different year and a somewhat different cast of characters, and the diehard fans would enjoy it. But neither fan base is starving for a championship.
Emcee: Josh Fields
Previous meetings: 1981 NLDS (Los Angeles Dodgers 3 games to 2), 2017 World Series (Astros, 4 games to 3)
Does anyone want to re-litigate the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal of 2017, or ponder again the legitimacy of their seven-game triumph over the Dodgers that failed? Not me! But that would be the unavoidable subtext of this matchup, even though just seven of the 49 players who took part in that series remain active with their teams. A rematch with dozens of new players wouldn’t really be a rematch – although it would certainly mean a little extra to the LA and Houston fans, and that counts for something.
33. Royals/Mets
Emcee: David Cone
Previous meeting: 2015 World Series (Royals, 4 games to 1)
This one’s still a little fresh in our memories. Mets fans already see Eric Hosmer daring Lucas Duda to throw to the plate in their nightmares, and now the highlights would be everywhere.
A rematch, though, would give Salvador Perez a chance to do something never done before: win a World Series MVP Award twice against the same team.
32. Astros/Phillies
Emcee: Brad Lidge
Previous meetings: 1980 NLCS (Phillies, 3 games to 2), 2022 World Series: (Astros, 4 games to 2)
In the last seven decades, four teams have beaten the Phillies in the World Series – the Baltimore Orioles (1983), Toronto Blue Jays (1993), New York Yankees (2009) and Astros (2022) – and none of them have ever returned. The obvious takeaway: beating the Phillies means eternal damnation from the baseball gods. All but Toronto can break this spell now, but an Astros/Phillies series, as the recent matchup we’ve seen most recently, ranks lowest of the three.
Emcee: Prince Fielder
The Brewers switched to the National League in 1998, but this matchup still feels like a routine AL East series of yore, with Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker turning double plays for Detroit, and Robin Yount and Jim Gantner for Milwaukee. Of course, this doesn’t apply if you’re under 35, and a modern Tigers/Brewers series would feature a lot of daring on the bases – the Crew led the AL in stolen bases, and the Gritty Tigs led the majors in triples . But there would also be a whole lot of pitching changes; Detroit led all playoff teams in bullpen innings, with Milwaukee ranking second.
30. Royals/Braves
Emcee: Charlie Leibrandt
I would enjoy this one just for the Charlie Leibrandt World Series rabbit hole – seriously, the man pitched in some of the most thrilling games of his generation for the 1985 Royals and the 1991 and 1992 Braves. As for today, both teams have won fairly recently, so the generations-without-a-title angle isn’t in play. But KC reliever Will Smith – who was on the mound when Atlanta won it in 2021 – would have a chance to capture his fourth ring in a row, with four different franchises. And the chance to see Bobby Witt Jr. take over a World Series enlivens any potential Royals matchup.
29. Tigers/Mets
Emcee: Howard Johnson
This was all set to be the matchup in 2006, if only the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright had hung his curveball at the end of the NLCS. Maybe then, Carlos Beltran would have bashed it for a pennant-winning hit and sent the Mets soaring to Detroit for the World Series. Here’s a chance to learn how a Tigers/Mets World Series would play out. If nothing else, it would be a heck of a marketing platform for Jose Iglesias, the former Tiger and singing infielder for the Mets.
28. Yankees/Braves
Emcee: David Justice
Previous meetings: 1957 (Braves, 4 games to 3), 1958 (Yankees, 4 games to 3), 1996 (Yankees, 4 games to 2), 1999 (Yankees, 4 games to 0)
These teams met twice in the 1950s and twice more in the 1990s, so we’re a little early for their next set of series; check back in the 2030s. If it happens, Truist Park would be the fourth different Braves stadium to host the Yankees in the World Series. Also: Joe Torre would do a lot of interviews, and that’s always a really good thing.
The Padres took two of three games from the Royals in a June series at Kauffman Stadium. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
Emcee: Eric Hosmer
The Padres have twice scaled Mount National League, only to find a steeper peak stretching far higher into the clouds: the 1984 Tigers and the 1998 Yankees, two absolute juggernauts, who handled them easily in the World Series. Nothing against the 2024 Royals, but with 86 wins, they don’t really have the same aura. The good folks of San Diego deserve a fighting chance, and their 1969 expansion cousins would give them one.
26. Royals/Brewers
Emcee: Lorenzo Cain
Both teams have terrific catchers in Salvador Pérez and William Contreras. The Royals got the most rotation innings of any playoff team, while the Brewers got the second fewest. George Brett and Robin Yount – Hall of Famers who both had 3,000 hits, played for only one team and retired in 1993 – would do a bunch of lively interviews. There’s ample parking at both ballparks for maximum tailgating hijinks. I’m not sure if I’m reaching now, or talking myself into really liking this matchup.
25. Tigers/Padres
Emcee: Brad Ausmus
Previous matchup: 1984 (Tigers, 4 games to 1)
Forty years ago, these teams played the last outdoor day game in World Series history, a Jack Morris gem at stately Tiger Stadium. With the Padres wearing brown-and-gold and the Tigers in tuxedo whites, it looked like hayseeds in burlap sacks crashing a Gatsby party. The Tigers quickly ushered out their unkempt guests, but now the Padres’ brown is back in fashion – and San Diego would be the overwhelming favorite this time.
Emcee: Kevin Seitzer
Two model small-market franchises wouldn’t be the most dazzling matchup, but it could be pretty compelling. Both teams throw a lot of intriguing bullpen arms at you, with extraordinary closers in Emmanuel Clase and Devin Williams. Their offenses are sneaky dangerous, too, and the managers, Stephen Vogt and Pat Murphy, would be great copy. This clash would ensure either the first Brewers’ title or Cleveland’s first since 1948. Plus, MLB could invite Albert Belle and Fernando Vina for the ceremonial first forearm shiver.
23. Orioles/Braves
Emcee: Nick Markakis
This is the 1997 World Series that never was – Atlanta and Baltimore had the majors’ best records that season, but the wild-card Marlins and 86-win Indians crashed the party. Here in 2024, the Braves’ righty sluggers could struggle with the faraway left field wall in Baltimore, but Michael Harris II seems destined for a home run-robbing catch in center, and Matt Olson – who loves to hit at Camden Yards (.349 /.440/.535) – could launch some bombs to right. And while the Orioles have a shaky bullpen, closer Seranthony Dominguez has already closed out the Braves in a postseason series, for the Phillies in a 2022 NLDS.
22. Tigers/Phillies
Emcee: Lance Parrish
The Phillies are the only team that has played an entire division in the World Series. They’ve danced with all the current AL East teams on the October stage, but they’ve barely even flirted with the Tigers, a former AL East team. This is just the second time Detroit and Philadelphia have both been in the playoff field, and it’s always sort of fun when there’s an unexplored matchup of charter franchises, especially with two teams in their original cities with long-running nicknames. Plus, think of the Dave Dombrowski storylines!
21. Orioles/Brewers
Emcee: BJ Surhoff
Required reading for this matchup: Daniel Okrent’s Nine Innings, a classic built around one game between these teams from June 10, 1982. That Corbin Burnes guy might attract some attention, too, don’t you think?
20. Royals/Dodgers
Emcee: Tim Belcher
This would be a tricky matchup, visually, because the teams’ home uniforms are probably the most similar in MLB: white jerseys with underlined blue script at a tilted angle, without an outline; white pants; and blue caps featuring two white letters. Sure, the Dodgers have a red number on the front, and the Royals have stripes on their pants, but basically these guys are twins. It would be cool, however, to see these teams finally clash in October; they both reached the playoffs in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1985, 2014 and 2015, but have never met for a title.
19. Royals/Phillies
Emcee: Bob Boone
Previous matchup: 1980 (Phillies, 4 games to 2)
Would you believe that the highest-rated World Series game ever happened on a Tuesday night between teams based in Kansas City and Philadelphia? That’s right, their Game 6 clincher scored a record 40.0 rating in 1980, back when World Series ratings approached those of the Super Bowl. A modern rematch wouldn’t do nearly as well, obviously, but you’d have to appreciate a series where the starters still know how to work deeply into games. With Zack Wheeler, Seth Lugo and friends, we just might see our first World Series complete game since Johnny Cueto in 2015.
18. Tigers/Dodgers
Emcee: Kirk Gibson
So let’s get this right: the Tigers’ front office basically scored on the 2024 season by trading No. 2 starter Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, who couldn’t keep any starters healthy except… Flaherty, now their undisputed (de facto) ace. The contrast in a team like the high-payroll, always-adding Dodgers and the low-payroll, veteran-shedding Tigers would be fascinating. I’m not really feeling the revenge-for-2017 angle with the Dodgers facing former Astros manager AJ Hinch, but bonus points here for a snappy uniform matchup. And who wouldn’t love to see Tarik Skubal face that Dodger lineup?
The Mets took two of three from the Orioles in an August series at Citi Field. (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)
17. Orioles/Mets
Emcee: Armando Benitez
Previous meeting: 1969 World Series (Mets, 4 games to 1)
It’s been a heart-wrenching year for the Mets, who have lost Jerry Grote, Buddy Harrelson, Ed Kranepool and Jim McAndrew from the miracle team that beat Baltimore in the 1969 World Series. What a scene it would be, cosmically, if the Mets ended up facing the Orioles again now. The Mets took two of three in August, ending both victories with home runs. Neither team has ever hit a walk-off homer in the World Series – and c’mon, Eutaw Street in Baltimore was made for that very purpose.
16. Guardians/Dodgers
Emcee: Orel Hershiser
Previous meeting: 1920 World Series (Cleveland, 5 games to 2)
A century in the making, it’s a rematch of the Stan Coveleski/Burleigh Grimes Spitball Series of 1920! OK, so that won’t get the masses invested, but there’s a lot to like here, with power/speed stars on both sides – the often-overlooked Jose Ramirez and the never-overlooked Shohei Ohtani. Less exciting: with the way the Guardians are set up, and the Dodgers’ charming habit of intense micromanaging every October, this series could set a record for pitching changes.
15. Astros/Mets
Emcee: Nolan Ryan
Previous meeting: 1986 NLCS (Mets, 4 games to 2)
The Astros lost two absolutely bonkers playoff series in their NL days in the ’80s: one in 1980 to the Phillies, and the other to the Mets six years later. They avenged the first loss in 2022, and this would be their chance at the other. Incidentally, you could build quite a rotation with alumni of both teams: Nolan Ryan, Mike Scott, Dwight Gooden, Sid Fernandez, Mike Hampton and Justin Verlander, who would have to make an impact on a Mets/Astros World Series, wouldn’t they? Anyway, lots of star power here, and a great chance for Houston to troll New York by having Hakeem Olajuwon throw out a ceremonial first pitch before Game 7.
14. Guardians/Braves
Emcee: Marquis Grissom
Previous meetings: 1948 (Cleveland, 4 games to 2), 1995 (Atlanta, 4 games to 2)
The first meeting of these teams, in 1948, included a mind-bending inning in Game 5 that started with Bob Feller on the mound, ended with Satchel Paige on the mound, and featured a sacrifice fly by Warren Spahn off Paige. More Cooperstown pitchers took part in 1995, when Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz all started for the Braves. The staffs are loaded again, Atlanta with starters, Cleveland with relievers. Could be a fun one.
13. Guardians/Padres
Emcee: Juan Eichelberger
I’m aware that there are more prominent players who spent time with both franchises, but I’ll take any excuse to honor the greatest name in baseball history: Juan Tyrone Eichelberger. Anyway, the bullpens in this series would be unreal: Cleveland had the majors’ best bullpen ERA by far, at 2.57, and San Diego just keeps coming at you with dominant arms: Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Bryan Hoeing, Tanner Scott and Robert Suarez. Bonus storyline here: Cleveland’s Josh Naylor with something to prove against the team that traded him. As we’ve seen, Josh Naylor in October is quite a show.
12. Astros/Brewers
Emcee: Zack Greinke
This would be the second World Series in a row to be played under retractable roofs, which should inspire an MLB directive that all stadiums follow suit, eliminating the rainout forever. (Would this be feasible? Hey, I’m no architect. I just love retractable roofs.) Anyway, I feel like a Brewers/Astros matchup would be a classic “Houston Vs. The World” situation – you’d have a two-time recent champion, still reviled in some places for trash can-related crimes, against a plucky Brewers team that has never won a championship. I kinda like the contrast there. Also, the Astros would have to bring Orbit, the AL’s best mascot, for the games in Milwaukee. Imagine all the fun that interplanetary goofball could have with Bernie Brewer’s slide and the sausage race.
11. Yankees/Brewers
Emcee: CC Sabathia
Previous meeting: 1981 ALDS (Yankees, 3 games to 2)
Mark Attanasio was seven years old in 1964, a very young but very loyal Yankees fan living in the Bronx. When his favorite team lost the World Series that fall, he bolted from his family’s apartment and took off around the block, sobbing. He stuck with the Yankees for decades though… right up until he bought the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005. Since then, Attanasio has presided over one of baseball’s best-run franchises, a consistent winner with a hearty fan base desperate for a title. And while a billionaire underdog is a tough sell, little Milwaukee versus the big, bad Bronx, with the Brewers striving for their first championship ever and the Yankees for their first in 15 years, would be a heck of a story.
Ohio native Kyle Schwarber homers against the Guardians earlier this season. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
10. Guardians/Phillies
Emcee: Jim Thome
Could Kyle Schwarber, the Ohio kid, win a second championship in his home state? Schwarber, who just set the MLB record for leadoff homers in a season, with 15, helped the Cubs to a Game 7 victory in Cleveland eight years ago. He’s integral now to the fabric of the Phillies, who really seem to enjoy each other’s company – just like the Guardians, making this a Good Vibes series. The Phillies would have the clear edge in starting pitching, but with Cleveland’s successful wholestaff/defense approach, that may not matter as much as it seems.
9. Yankees/Phillies
Emcee: Bobby Abreu
Previous matchups: 1950 (Yankees, 4 games to 0), 2009 (Yankees, 4 games to 2)
The Phillies and Yankees have played 10 World Series games, and the Phillies have lost every one not started by Clifton Phifer Lee. Sadly, for the Phillies, the steely-casual lefty hasn’t thrown a pitch in 10 years. This matchup would have big-time star power, and Phillies owner John Middleton would have a chance to win back his (bleepin’) trophy at the very place he once demanded it from Ryan Howard. But it might be more fun for the Yankees to beat someone new for a change.
8. Orioles/Dodgers
Emcee: Eddie Murray
Previous meeting: 1966 World Series (Orioles, 4 games to 0)
The Dodgers would finally get a chance to break their 33-inning World Series scoreless streak against the Orioles, who shut them out in Games 2, 3 and 4 in 1966. Do you think Jim Palmer would have some memories to share? I sure do! Of course, I kinda doubt these Orioles could toss three complete-game shutouts; the game has changed, as you may have heard, and their rotation is a little shaky beyond Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin. Good news for Baltimore, though: the Dodgers are pretty thin after Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, too. In other words, the 1966 World Series included 15 runs scored, total – a figure this series could top in one night.
Francisco Lindor would be the focal point of a World Series matchup between his current and former clubs. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
7. Guardians/Mets
Emcee: Julio Franco
These teams lost the World Series in consecutive years in the 2010s, and both are long overdue to win it all. But this matchup, of course, would be framed around Francisco Lindor, whose transcendence has fully translated from Cleveland to New York since his trade in Jan. 2021. Andres Gimenez, who went the other way, has won two Gold Gloves at second base since the deal, and he’s under Cleveland control through 2030 at less than half the annual price. A sensible deal for both sides, it seems, with a World Series settling the score for good.
6. Yankees/Mets
Emcee: Darryl Strawberry
Previous meeting: 2000 World Series (Yankees, 4 games to 1)
Gotta admit: ever since Mike Piazza flied out to Bernie Williams to end Game 5 in 2000, I’ve been waiting for more Yankees/Mets World Series games. Their one matchup was spellbinding theater, each game a classic; it just ended too soon. This would be another chance for a seven-game thriller, and if much of America would reflexively groan at an all-New York rematch – well, too bad. Baseball still reigns as New York’s No. 1 sport, and a World Series clash once every couple dozen years isn’t asking too much.
5. Orioles/Padres
Emcee: Terry Kennedy
Manny Machado was really good for the Orioles (.822 OPS), and he’s been even better for the Padres (.841 OPS). He’s on a Hall of Fame trajectory and could write his own plaque by leading the Padres to their first-ever title with a dominant World Series against his original team. If Machado’s not a big enough name to generate a ton of national buzz, though, we’d still have obvious superstars: the ballparks. This would be the inaugural World Series for two wondrous Larry Lucchino/Janet Marie Smith creations: Camden Yards and Petco Park. Sign me up.
4. Astros/Padres
Emcee: Steve Finley
Previous meeting: 1998 NLDS (Padres, 3 games to 1)
Are any San Diego fans still seething that Houston stole the Rockets in 1971? Any Houston fans still keep Jim Leyritz’s picture on a dartboard after that 1998 division series? Does either side harbor strong opinions on the defection of Josh Hader from the Padres to the Astros in free agency? Hmm. Not sure there’s much historical resonance here (other than Yu Darvish versus the Astros) – but who cares! The Padres and Astros put the ball in play (they rank 30th and 28th in strikeouts, respectively) but still hit for power (tied for 10th in MLB in homers). That’s a fun combination.
3. Orioles/Phillies
Emcee: Craig Kimbrel
Previous meeting: 1983 World Series (Orioles, 4 games to 1)
I am surely the only person in the universe who was so inspired by the 1983 World Series – a star-laden but obscure five-game Orioles victory – that he wrote a 310-page book several decades later. It’s not bragging, because who would want to brag about that? Unless you’re Rick Dempsey, I guess, but at least he won. I was a sad eight-year-old Phillies fan who watched from the front row at the Vet as Cal Ripken Jr. squeezed the final out in Game 5. I vowed to curse the bad guys by never saying the word “Orioles” again, and while I relented after a year or so, the baseball gods took this really, really seriously. Enough already, fellas! The Orioles deserve to return to the grandest stage, and these teams deserve another chance for a World Series more memorable than the five-game snoozer I’ve romanticized for 40 years. (Seriously, though, if Ivan DeJesus fields that grounder in Game 3, and Joe Morgan hits a homer instead of a lineout at the end of Game 4, then Lefty gets to pitch again in Game 6, and then in Game 7, who knows …..)
2. Yankees/Padres
Emcee: Dave Winfield
Previous meeting: 1998 World Series (Yankees, 4 games to 0)
It’s not nostalgia for 1998, and it’s not the Juan Soto takes-on-his-old-team angle. It’s not even brown-and-gold versus the hallowed pinstripes (OK, maybe a little). The appeal of this series is simply the promise of exquisite baseball, with superstars in both lineups and rotations. The Padres’ hitters had the fewest strikeouts and the most hits in baseball. The Yankees’ hitters had the most homers and walks. Extremes are fun. This series would be, too.
1. Yankees/Dodgers
Emcee: Willie Randolph
In the 41 World Series from 1941 to 1981, the Yankees and Dodgers met 11 times. In the 41 World Series since, they haven’t met at all. Nobody under 50 has more than a hazy memory of these Tiffany brands sharing the field in October. But, oh, the history – Mickey Owen, Bill Bevens, Cookie Lavagetto, Billy Martin, Jackie Robinson, Sandy Amoros, Johnny Podres, Don Larsen, Sandy Koufax, Reggie Jackson, Brian Doyle, the tri-MVPs … if you know, you know, and if you don’t, you’ll be flooded with nostalgia for the golden days of this rivalry. You can say that you wouldn’t want a revival, that you’d rather see low-budget underdogs humble these swaggering spenders. But admit it: you’d watch. You’d love to see what Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge would do in their first World Series. The best players, the top seeds, Hollywood vs. Broadway. From the South Bay to the Valley, from the West Side to the East Side, these little town blues are melting away. You know you want to be part of it.
(Top photo of Adley Rutschman and Manny Machado: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
