With the Wild Card playoff games over and done with, protests denied, and the Division Series games underway, it’s time to look at the remaining matchups a little closer.
Be it from loyal fans or playoff bandwagoners many of the remaining teams have strong online presences, but how do the teams stack up in terms of social media involvement?
MLB Playoffs: Comparing the Matchups via Social Media
Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers
A’s Twitter: 70,365 followers 
- Pennant Chase Growth: 59,970 followers on August 15
For 2 ticket strips to #ALDS games in Oakland, tweet us a pic of your A’s hat around town using #OctoBERNIE. We’re looking for creativity!
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) October 6, 2012
Tigers Twitter: 156, 282 followers 
- Pennant Chase Growth: 138,012 followers on August 15
Did you take a pic of yourself in your #Tigers hat yet? Use #EveryGameCounts for a chance to win 2 tix to this weekend’s games!
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 5, 2012
A’s Facebook: 348,932 likes
- Talking about: 83,934
Tigers Facebook: 1,080,378 likes
- Talking about: 178, 048
Analysis: Despite calling Oakland home since 1968, the Athletics have the least amount of Twitter followers on this list. Detroit more than doubles Oakland’s total, but the A’s have seen a 17% follower spike since August 15. If Oakland can take down the Tigers in this series, that number will increase exponentially as more and more fans jump aboard. At the same time, Detroit more than triples Oakland in Facebook presence, but the difference in people talking about the two teams doesn’t accurately reflect this. The A’s have a chance to be America’s social media sweetheart very quickly.
Winner:
Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants
Reds Twitter: 137,380 followers 
- Pennant Chase Growth: 123,669 followers on August 15
“There is nothing better than me trying to figure out how to kick your butt and you trying to figure out how to kick mine.” – Dusty Baker
— Reds (@Reds) October 6, 2012
Giants Twitter: 304,522 followers 
- Pennant Chase Growth: 287,298 followers on August 15
We will be judging photos on creativity and unique placement of hat…..It’s #OrangeOctober
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) October 5, 2012
Reds Facebook: 609,110 likes
- Talking about: 91,015
Giants Facebook: 1,534,079 likes
- Talking about: 173,318
Analysis: Despite only being a 20 minute drive from each other, Oakland and San Francisco residents clearly aren’t on the same page with tech savvyness. While Oakland did win its matchup earlier, they’d be no match for San Francisco, which sports the second-most Facebook likes and Twitter followers on this list. Also no match? Cincinnati. (Though, props to the Reds for garnering 609,110 Facebook likes.)
Winner: 
New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles
Yankees Twitter: 731,516 followers 
- Pennant Chase Growth: 690,391 followers on August 15
Is it Sunday yet? #27andCounting
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 4, 2012
Orioles Twitter: 84,989 followers 
- Pennant Chase Growth: 68,273 on August 15
THE ORIOLES WIN! In 1st ever Wild Card game, the O’s beat the Rangers 5-1! We’re coming home to face NY in the ALDS! #BUCKleUp Baltimore!
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) October 6, 2012
Yankees Facebook: 6,058,591 likes
- Talking about: 424,636
Orioles Facebook: 412,370 likes
- Talking about: 81,614/77,229
Analysis: There’s just no comparison here. With New York gaining social media traction from fans across the country, you can literally combine the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers’ Facebook and Twitter likes and followers and it won’t come close to how many Facebook likes the Yankees have.
Winner: 
Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Nationals Twitter: 76,068 followers
- Pennant Chase Growth: 64,899 followers on August 15
“These last few weeks have been playoff-type games. They’ve had a chance to experience that,” @ej36 on the #Nats stretch drive
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 3, 2012
Cardinals Twitter: 183,440 followers 
- Pennant Chase Growth: 165,055 followers on August 15
Believe it! The #STLCards are heading to the 2012 #NLDS. Watch @jmotte30 secure the win: atmlb.com/QLvohT #12in12
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 6, 2012
Nationals Facebook: 193,639 likes
- Talking about: 38,004
Cardinals Facebook: 1,322,808 likes
- Talking about: 138,994
Analysis: Yes, the Nationals have awesome hashtags such as October#Natitude, #AdaMVP, #CyGio, and #HarpeROY, but its tough to compete with a rabid fan base thirsty for World Series title No. 11. The Cardinals have nearly seven times as many likes on Facebook, to boot. The Nationals have years ahead to catch up, especially with a younger-generation fan base interested in seeing Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, but right now it’s all St. Louis.
Winner: 
@Pat_DeCola why are wild card teams getting home field advantage?
@thetim22 they technically aren’t. But it’s still weird. They’re going to fix it for next year I believe.
@Pat_DeCola so why are game 1s being played in Baltimore, St. Louis, etc?
@thetim22 the last three of the series are in the other location
@Pat_DeCola that’s wicked lame! If the series ends in 3 they get screwed
@thetim22 totally agree
@Pat_DeCola it’s about as good of an idea as having 2 wild card teams play a single elimination game. Laaaaame
@thetim22 welllll. I disagree there. I thought that was pretty awesome. (Though I’d extend the series to three, personally)
@Pat_DeCola oh no I like the fact that there’s one more playoff team but to let your 162 game season be decided by 1 game sucks
@britsuth Thanks for sharing this, Brittany. I appreciate the props!
@bhelleu Thanks for sharing this, Boris. I appreciate it!
FYI…the Cardinals won #11 in 2011…they’re going for #12 in 2012!