The 2024 MLB postseason was filled with unforgettable moments, from clutch home runs to dominant pitching performances. But beyond the box scores, the baserunning exploits of players both big and small captivated fans and analysts alike. From daring steals to costly gaffes, the basepaths were the stage for some of the most thrilling and consequential plays of the October drama.

Baserunning Brilliance and Blunders: Postseason Plays That Defined the Season

The Worst Baserunning Plays of the 2024 Playoffs

While the postseason is often remembered for its heroic offensive displays, it also featured a number of baserunning mishaps that proved costly for their respective teams. According to the advanced metrics at Baseball Savant, six runners made decisions that cost their teams 0.80 runs or more in a single play.At the top of the list was Giancarlo Stanton's ill-advised attempt to score from third on a shallow fly ball to left field. Stanton's lumbering sprint down the line was no match for Juan Soto's cannon, and the out at home proved to be a pivotal moment in the Yankees' eventual elimination. Similarly, Salvador Perez's decision to test Soto's arm from first base on a single to right field was a head-scratcher, with the Royals catcher easily thrown out at the plate.While those plays by the game's biggest stars were certainly cringe-worthy, the baserunning blunder that stood out the most came from Mets outfielder Jesse Winker in Game 1 of the NLCS. Winker's sequence of mistakes – an overaggressive turn at second, a brief retreat, and then a half-hearted attempt to reach third – encapsulated the Mets' offensive struggles in a lopsided loss to the Dodgers. As the Baseball Savant data shows, Winker's baserunning gaffe was the single most costly play of the entire postseason.

The Best Baserunning Plays of the 2024 Playoffs

Identifying the cream of the crop when it comes to postseason baserunning is a more nuanced task. While the worst plays stand out for their sheer futility, the best baserunning moments often blend seamlessly into the flow of the game. Nevertheless, the advanced metrics at Baseball Savant provide a useful framework for highlighting the most impactful plays on the basepaths.Three plays stood out as the most valuable, each adding 0.25 runs of value to their respective teams. Brewers prospect Brice Turang turned a routine groundball into a double by hustling down the line, while Yankees phenom Anthony Volpe scored from first base on a double, taking advantage of the defense's lack of urgency. Shohei Ohtani, ever the multi-talented superstar, also made the list for his ability to advance an extra base on a throwing error.However, the baserunning play that truly captivated fans and analysts alike came from Marlins dynamo Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the World Series. With the game tied in the top of the 10th inning, Chisholm executed a daring delayed steal of second base, then immediately swiped third as well. His aggressive baserunning set the stage for what should have been the game-winning run, only to be denied by Freddie Freeman's dramatic walk-off grand slam.Chisholm's fearless approach on the bases was a recurring theme throughout the playoffs. According to Baseball Reference, his two most consequential stolen bases of the postseason came just three pitches apart in that fateful Game 1 of the World Series. While the Marlins ultimately fell short, Chisholm's baserunning heroics cemented his status as one of the game's most electrifying young talents.

The Art of Baserunning: Navigating the Postseason Gauntlet

Baserunning may not garner the same attention as towering home runs or overpowering pitching performances, but its importance to a team's success cannot be overstated. As the 2024 playoffs demonstrated, a single baserunning decision can swing the momentum of a game, or even an entire series.The best baserunners, like Chisholm, possess a unique blend of speed, instinct, and daring that allows them to turn routine plays into game-changing moments. They understand when to take risks, how to read the defense, and how to capitalize on even the slightest of openings. Conversely, the worst baserunning mistakes, like those made by Winker and Stanton, can be the difference between advancing to the next round or going home empty-handed.In the high-stakes environment of the postseason, where every run and every out carries immense weight, the ability to excel on the basepaths becomes a crucial differentiator. As the offseason approaches and teams begin to assess their rosters for the year ahead, the value of elite baserunning will undoubtedly be a key factor in their decision-making process.The 2024 playoffs provided a captivating showcase of the highs and lows of baserunning, reminding us all that the game's most thrilling moments can unfold not just at the plate or on the mound, but on the basepaths as well.