On Feb. 11, Tremendous Bowl LVIII (that’s 58) can be performed at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and it’s a matchup that may look acquainted to these with a passing curiosity within the sport {of professional} soccer: the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vs. the San Francisco 49ers. That is, in fact, the very same matchup we noticed in Tremendous Bowl LIV (that’s 54), 4 years in the past, when the Chiefs beat the 49ers, 31-20.
You recognize the place championship rematches are uncommon, although? The World Sequence.
This century, in truth, there was just one: The Boston Pink Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals met in each 2004 and 2013. (The Pink Sox received each.)
There are many the explanation why this may prone to proceed to be unusual, however that doesn’t imply the drought received’t finish this 12 months. So we’re going to take a look at each World Sequence matchup this century — we’re together with 2000, which we all know isn’t technically this century, however c’mon, don’t be so pedantic — and rank them by the chance of seeing a rematch in 2024.
1) 2017: Astros vs. Dodgers
There can be many 2024 preseason predictions that embrace this very World Sequence matchup, and don’t let any lingering controversy about this Astros crew distract you from how nice the 2017 model was. The one bummer was that Recreation 7 was the least thrilling one of many seven they performed. This 12 months was additionally the beginning of the Astros’ lively streak of seven consecutive ALCS appearances.
2) 2021: Braves vs. Astros
At many factors throughout the common season in each 2022 and 2023, it regarded like we might get this very rematch. It might look that means at a number of factors in 2024 as properly.
3) 2020: Dodgers vs. Rays
Till the Dodgers win a World Sequence after a full 162-game schedule, this Sequence win — unfairly, I’d very a lot argue, however it’s nonetheless true — can be seen as by some means lesser. The Dodgers have clearly muscled as much as erase that kind of blasphemy from folks’s lips: To take action in opposition to the Rays would have a sure poetry to it.
4) 2022: Astros vs. Phillies
These have been the 2 League Championship Sequence losers final 12 months, so we did simply come fairly near a Fall Basic rematch.
5) 2023: Rangers vs. D-backs
Is it potential that each of those groups can be higher, begin to end, in 2024 than they have been in 2023? Maybe. That doesn’t essentially make it seemingly they’ll return for the primary back-to-back World Sequence matchup for the reason that Dodgers and Yankees in 1977-78, however it’s actually on the desk.
6) 2008: Phillies vs. Rays
This wasn’t simply the primary World Sequence look for the Rays — it was the primary playoff look in franchise historical past. They’ve made it eight instances since then, together with another World Sequence look in 2020. The Phillies are a professional contender to make it this 12 months, if not fairly the favourite the Dodgers are. Let’s simply hope if we get this rematch, the ultimate sport doesn’t take three days to finish.
7) 2009: Yankees vs. Phillies
Did you hear this was the final time the Yankees made the World Sequence? You might need heard one thing about that. The Phillies are nonetheless smarting from how shut they got here to creating their second consecutive World Sequence final 12 months, and out of all of the groups the Yankees have performed within the World Sequence this century, the Phils do seem to be the most definitely to make it again in 2024.
8) 2001: D-backs vs. Yankees
One of the crucial memorable World Sequence ever ended with a Luis Gonzalez single that gave the D-backs their first (and solely) World Sequence title. The Yankees have solely received as soon as since then, and in 2023, Arizona grew to become the sixteenth crew to achieve the World Sequence for the reason that Yankees final made one in 2009.
9) 2000: Yankees vs. Mets
The Subway Sequence! On the time, these two franchises have been full of stars and massive personalities. There are nonetheless loads of stars round in 2024, too, though each golf equipment have quite a bit to show after issues went off the rails a 12 months in the past.
10) 2018: Pink Sox vs. Dodgers
The newest Pink Sox title feels, frankly, prefer it occurred a really very long time in the past. The Dodgers have constructed the sustainable success that the Pink Sox weren’t in a position to handle after 2018.
11) 2003: Marlins vs. Yankees
In contrast to the Yankees, the Marlins did make the playoffs in 2023. That stated, they haven’t proven a lot urgency to construct on that success or make a right away leap ahead. It’s your name between the Mets and the Marlins right here: Whichever crew you assume can be higher in 2024, place them larger within the rankings of a possible Yankees rematch. We went with the Mets.
12) 2010: Giants vs. Rangers
The following two slots, you possibly can flip-flop, relying on whether or not you assume the Giants or the Cardinals usually tend to make the World Sequence this 12 months. We’ll go along with the crew that didn’t end in final place in 2023.
13) 2011: Cardinals vs. Rangers
After what occurred final 12 months, it’s honest to say, this World Sequence would convey again quite a bit fewer dangerous recollections for Rangers followers than it could have in any other case.
14) 2004/2013: Pink Sox vs. Cardinals
In 2023, the Cardinals completed in final place for the primary time since 1990, however they’ve bolstered their rotation and appear to be one of many contenders within the forever-in-flux Nationwide League Central. The Pink Sox additionally completed in final in 2023, albeit with a greater report in a a lot harder division. However contemplating that division and their very own state of aggressive limbo proper now, they appear simply as removed from a World Sequence because the Cardinals — perhaps additional.
15) 2012: Giants vs. Tigers
Is that this the least memorable World Sequence this century? The Giants had simply received the World Sequence two years earlier, this Tigers crew solely received 88 video games throughout the common season, and it was a sweep.
16) 2006: Cardinals vs. Tigers
This was Justin Verlander’s rookie 12 months — so way back he went 0-for-2 on the plate and had a report of 0-2 within the World Sequence — and it resulted in one of many extra shocking World Sequence winners in historical past, the 83-win Cardinals. This might be a quiet sleeper choose: It wouldn’t be all that stunning to see every crew win its respective Central division this 12 months.
17) 2016: Cubs vs. Guardians
On the time, each of those groups have been younger and full of expertise. It certain regarded like a World Sequence rematch (of one of many biggest World Sequence of the century) was very a lot within the playing cards. That wasn’t the best way issues went.
18) 2002: Angels vs. Giants
We are able to all hope that Mike Trout reaches a World Sequence sooner or later in his profession, however it certain doesn’t seem to be “the 12 months after Shohei Ohtani leaves” goes to be the time to do it.
19) 2019: Nationals vs. Astros
The Astros might properly return to the World Sequence this 12 months. The Nationals, nonetheless …
20) 2014: Giants vs. Royals
I used to be in attendance at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas Metropolis for this Recreation 7, and each Royals fan I talked to was significantly despairing as a result of they thought it was their solely actual likelihood to win considered one of these. It didn’t end up that means.
21) 2015: Royals vs. Mets
I’ll take the Giants over the Mets because the extra seemingly crew to achieve the World Sequence in 2024. Both means, one other confrontation with the Royals looks as if fairly a longshot.
22) 2007: Pink Sox vs. Rockies
Since this World Sequence look, the Rockies have made three postseasons and received two playoff video games. Neither quantity appears to be like prone to improve in 2024.
23) 2005: White Sox vs. Astros
Truthful to say: That is the best name on the board — maybe the best rating I’ve ever made — on condition that each groups are actually within the AL.