The Pacific Division as... 2024 MLB teams

There's nothing like America's pastime, where you can go to the ballpark and grab a hot dog. It's the official sport of summer, celebrating easier times with friends and family while stretching in the seventh inning. It clears the mind and allows you to re-align with your inner child, where life was far simpler. It's no wonder it holds a place in the hearts of many American citizens.

Sadly, that sport is winding down for the year. Teams such as the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels are already eliminated from playoff contention, where they're already thinking about next season. How will we contend and bring home the World Series in 2025? Who do we need to sign to stand a chance?

These questions will pop up as these middling franchises search for answers. However, there is some good news to spare people from watching the White Sox play a sport. Hockey is on the horizon, with the Vegas Golden Knights kicking off their regular season against the Colorado Avalanche on October 9. If there's a cure for watching mediocre baseball teams, it's the Golden Knights.

Of course, they'll have tough competition against divisional opponents such as the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. These franchises have Stanley Cup-winning aspirations, where megastars such as Connor McDavid and Quinn Hughes hope to bring a title to Canada. The nation hasn't had a championship since 1993, leaving natives hoping these two groups are the answer.

But let's join these two sports together for a second. It's time to play a word association game with the NHL and MLB, comparing Pacific Division franchises with baseball counterparts. After all, October baseball is coming soon, which will usher in the new hockey season. Which baseball franchises are paired with their Pacific Division groups?

San Jose Sharks as... the Chicago White Sox

The San Jose Sharks aren't the Edmonton Oilers, nor are they the Vancouver Canucks. They're bound to dwell in the basement of their respective groups, where nobody will watch them. The rival of the Vegas Golden Knights does have one thing going for them. That's a strong young nucleus consisting of Macklin Celebrini, Sam Dickinson, and Yaroslav Askarov. The White Sox can't say the same for themselves, where they'll be mired in 100-loss seasons for years.

Anaheim Ducks as... the Los Angeles Angels

Obviously, the Orange County connection is there, with both teams in one of the most recognizable American suburbs. But there's also the playoff drought aspect between both groups. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (of California of the United States of North America) haven't made the postseason since 2014. The Ducks? 2018. But the NHL franchise never had a once-in-a-generation superstar like Shohei Ohtani. Checkmate, Wildwing.

Calgary Flames as... the Toronto Blue Jays

Both teams are nestled in Canada, where they once had the best superstars on their teams. Whether it was Matthew Tkachuk and the late Johnny Gaudreau or Matt Chapman, these franchises were spectacular. Now, they're faced with the realistic possibility of rebuilding. It will be rough for the two fanbases up north, especially with one team having the Edmonton Oilers as a divisional rival. However, it's a necessary evil with their respective divisions picking up business.

Seattle Kraken as... the Chicago Cubs

I know what you're thinking.

"How can one of the newest NHL teams be similar to one of the oldest MLB teams?"

Here's the thing, dear reader. Both groups have impressive talent leading the way. The Seattle Kraken have Matty Beniers (15 goals, 22 assists in 77 games last season) leading the charge. The Chicago Cubs? Shoto Imanaga (3.03 ERA, 159 SO this season). There are also regional rivalries with both teams (Kraken have the Vancouver Canucks, while the Cubs have the St. Louis Cardinals).

Los Angeles Kings as... the San Francisco Giants

Once the underrated champions of their respective area, the two California teams have become average in recent years. Yes, there are some bright spots with both groups. The Los Angeles Kings still have timeless star, Anze Kopitar (26 goals, 44 assists last season), while the Giants have Logan Webb (3.46 ERA, 157 SO this season). But they're both surpassed by their divisional rivals, with the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Dodgers becoming behemoths.