Do home runs play in the postseason?

Will a team be slugging their way to a World Series title over the next couple of weeks. Do home runs now play well in the playoffs?

For years a narrative was that teams that hit a lot of homers won’t in the playoffs and that type of offense won’t work.

Are the 2024 Orioles evidence of that. They finished second in the majors in homers this year but hit just one and lost two games to Kansas City scoring one run on that homer.

But other slugging teams are winning and have won. The 2023 Texas Rangers finished the 2023 regular season third in the majors in homers and OPS (.790) and runs per game at 5.44.

On their way to the World Series, they swept the Orioles three straight out-homered them 5-3 in that series. For the postseason Texas hit 30 homers in 17 games, produced a .792 OPS and averaged 5.70 runs per game. They put up big offense during the year and in the postseason too. Their postseason team ERA was a respectable 3.83 and sure you are going to need some solid pitching too.

According to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, in the 2023 postseason, teams to out-homer their opponents went 25-4 (.862) in those games and are 15-6 (.714) this year. Per MLB Network and through Tuesday’s game, teams had won 10 of the last 11 playoff games in the postseason.

The Orioles are one of the six losses here as Cedric Mullins hit the game's only homer in Wild Card round Game 2 but they lost 2-1 to Kansas City. 

Chicks, they say, dig the longball and team management probably does too, winning at that pace.

Of the final four teams still playing the Yankees were first this year in homers in MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers were third, the New York Mets sixth and Cleveland tied for 12^th.

For me when it comes to playoff baseball, it remains a crapshoot. There is no one way to win. Teams that enter the playoffs hot sometimes win and sometime lose. Teams with big power win some and lose some. But the narrative that homer-laded teams get shut down in October is not true either. Some do, some do not.

O's help in hurricane relief: In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Milton, the Orioles have partnered with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support relief efforts through Season of Sharing, a long running initiative that provides support to neighbors in need.

The Orioles have committed to donating an initial $250,000 and matching every additional dollar raised up to another $250,000 to aid families and individuals affected by the hurricane across Sarasota and Manatee counties. With this support, the initiative could raise a total of $500,000 for critical resources to those in need. Furthermore, if the $500,000 target is reached, The Patterson Foundation will provide an additional $100,000.

"In times of crisis, it's essential for us to stand together as a community," said David M. Rubenstein, Orioles Owner and Control Person. “We hope that this match challenge inspires our fans and community members to give generously and help provide immediate relief for those affected by Hurricane Milton."

For over two decades, Season of Sharing has provided a vital safety net for residents by offering one-time financial assistance for essential living expenses. Now, as families face the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, donations will go directly to covering urgent needs such as rent, utilities, transportation, and childcare, helping families recover and regain a sense of security.

Fans are encouraged to contribute to the Season of Sharing initiative by visiting cfsarasota.org/Baltimore-OriolesHurricane-Milton-Relief. With the Orioles’ matching challenge, donors have a unique opportunity to more than double the impact, bringing relief to those most affected by Hurricane Milton.

For more information about Season of Sharing and to support Hurricane Milton relief efforts, please visit the Community Foundation of Sarasota County website at cfsarasota.org.