5 MLB teams that defied the odds in 2024 ft. Detroit Tigers

It was an incredible MLB season that ended with the juggernaut LA Dodgers claiming their eighth World Series title. Although the Dodgers were considered the favorites to win it all after signing Shohei Ohtani last offseason, there were several clubs that outperformed their projections, making us all feel a little romantic about baseball.

Even though the ultimate goal for MLB teams is to win the World Series, on a more realistic level, there are varying degrees of success for each team as not every club is in its championship window. Instead, a rebuilding team might consider a .500 season a sign of positive growth.

There are a few clubs that defied the odds stacked against them in 2024, with some completely shattering their projections. One of the reasons why we love sports is its unpredictability and there were a few squads that proved everybody wrong last season. From true underdogs to slow starts, it was a year to remember for MLB fans.

Here's a closer look at 5 MLB teams that defied the odds during the 2024 season

#5 - Cleveland Guardians

Entering the 2024 season, the Cleveland Guardians were expected to be solid but not exactly contenders for the division title. Things did not work out exactly how the projections had them heading into the season, as Cleveland not only walked away with the American League Central crown but finished 10.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins, who were favored to win the division.

It seemed like the Guardians had their backs against the wall when the team lost their ace Shane Bieber after only 12.0 innings of work. It looked like all was lost for the team; however, this ain't your grandfather's Guardians as they were elite almost all season long.

#4 - Milwaukee Brewers

Similar to the Cleveland Guardians, the Milwaukee Brewers were expected to be in the hunt for a wild card spot at best; however, the Brew Crew was dominant all season, winning the National League Central. Thanks to the emergence of future superstars like Jackson Chourio, MLB experts might favor them in 2025 after how dominant they were last season.

#3 - Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals have been a team on the rise in recent years thanks to Bobby Witt Jr. becoming one of the best players in the MLB. The Royals may not have won their division, but they surpassed their projections tenfold by reaching the ALDS, even stealing a game from the New York Yankees in the series.

The Royals are going to be a team to watch in 2025 and should be major contenders for the division title. If Salvador Perez can continue to defy Father Time, the Royals might be the team to beat in the AL.

#2 - New York Mets

It may seem strange to say that the New York Mets defied the odds in 2024 but the team looked like they were on the cusp of an implosion to open the season. The Mets looked out of sorts from the get-go and it felt like it was only a matter of time before Steve Cohen told the front office to blow it up. So they would not be on this list if that turned out to be the case. Enter the "Never Say Die" Mets.

The Mets entered June with a disappointing 22-32 record and appeared destined to trade away all of their veterans. However, they turned things around and had an incredible postseason run, reaching the NLCS before falling to the Dodgers. They will enter 2025 with a little superstar juice added to the roster by the name of Juan Soto.

#1 - Detroit Tigers

No MLB club defied the odds in 2024 more than the Detroit Tigers. They had not reached the postseason since 2014 and did not seem poised to break that trend last season. Well, here we are reflecting on an improbable run from the Detroit Tigers, who not only reached the postseason but also eliminated the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card round.

While Detroit lacked some offensive firepower, its rotation was as elite as they come. Ace Tarik Skubal even earned the AL Cy Young Award, showing just how much the Tigers became the underdogs the entire MLB fanbase got behind.