There have been so many crazy turns of events here in the world of baseball since the trade deadline. Either teams collapsed and didn’t make it or others overcame massive amounts of underachieving and played up to their potential. Or you have been in cruise control since June. Anyways what is the story of these 10 teams set to enter the playoff thunderdome?
Tampa Bay Rays (Newage Moneyball): Just like last season, the Rays coasted to the Top Seed in the AL and are a solid pick to return to the World Series. Even if they are doing this with roughly half of their starting rotation from last year they still find unique ways to win. Brandon Lowe has had a career year with both the glove and stick, plus Randy Arozarena and Auston Meadows have each produced in bunches throughout September. If there is any player on this team that has been considered a potential superstar it’s Wander Franco. This rookie sensation has added another weapon to an offense that is loaded with talent. They might not get the hype as some of the other AL squads but I see them having an outstanding chance to win the pennant again. Just avoid the Yankees in the ALDS and you’ll be ok.
Houston Astros (Redemption Mode): The Astros like most years over the past half decade have massive ambitions of a World Series Title. Like most years they have been carried by high end talent on offense. Yordan Alverez and Yuli Gurriel have each put up career years, and Jose Altuve has returned from being a liability last year. Like Tampa Bay they are doing this without their #1 starter Justin Verlander but Zach Greinke and Lance McCullers are still dealing on the mound. This may be their last chance with Carlos Correa depending on what he does this offseason. (Even if he is gone, treat this like the Springer situation because you guys have a great farm system) I’d say a rematch with Tampa Bay is coming but your first opponent just happens to be one of Dusty Baker’s longtime rivals. I expect you guys to match up well against them.
Chicago White Sox (You still don’t rule your own city): Turns out that the hiring of Tony LaRussa has been a major boom for the White Sox this season. Just like in St Louis and Oakland his main philosophy is excellent starting pitching. Carlos Rodon has all but resurrected his career, and Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn are also high quality aces. The offense led by the return of Eloy Jimenez plus the star power of Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson have worked wonders for the South Siders. Once again I’m going to ask, how much of their success was due to an easy schedule or maybe they are just that good? This 1st Round series against the Astros is going to say a lot about how much this team is ready for the big time. For the sake of myself and the rest of Wrigleyville, the ChiSox cannot win the World Series! (I’m being a salty Cubs fan, that’s what it is)
Boston Red Sox (Never doubt a team from Boston): When I did my preseason predictions I had the Red Sox potentially being stuck near the basement of an ultra competitive AL East. I was wrong for one simple reason, Alex Cora coming back and turning Boston into a winner again. Now that Chris Sale is back in the rotation they have the upside of another deep playoff run. The hitting core obviously is leading the way. Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, JD Martinez, Kyle Schwarber, and Alex Verdugo. (Throw in Bobby Dalbec, Kike Hernandez, and Hunter Renfroe too) Excluding a recent skid by Matt Barnes the bullpen hasn’t been that bad. They are going to need the pitching staff to carry them deep into the playoffs. With Nathan Eovaldi starting the Wild Card game it will certainly be a tall order. I know your fans are going to want to prevent another Tampa Bay team from going to the Finals but guess who you are gonna face for the right to face them. (It could be Bucky BLEEPING Dent in 1978 all over again!)
New York Yankees (They aren’t dead yet!): A tale of 2 teams, one that nearly got Aaron Boone fired thanks to massive underachieving. The other plays up to their potential in August and September and looks like a serious contender. Ever since the Gallo and Rizzo trades the team has taken off and it’s not due to the 2 guys they acquired. It’s because of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gerrit Cole. We’ll chuck DJ LeMahieu in there too. Even if their bullpen has been a literal heart attack since the beginning of the season they still have been the most dominant team in the AL since the All Star Break. And that is going to bode well for them in October. All I can say is you better come to play in the Wild Card game since you are facing your most hated rival. I expect you guys to shed the 2004, and 2018 narratives.
San Francisco Giants (Kapler is on a serious warpath): I didn’t expect this out of them. Losing that much talent over the last several years with several questions surrounding the long term future of the team. Instead they have looked like the most complete team in all of the MLB. Most of the key players are still lingering from their 2014 championship. Buster Posey, Brandon Belt (Scratch that he’s out for the playoffs), and Brandon Crawford are the main examples. The real stars have been the revival of Darin Ruf, and Kris Bryant. Plus they have a legitimate ace in Kevin Gausman plus another workhorse in Anthony DeSclafani. You may think their style of play is worth it for the playoffs, that Gabe Kapler is going to have the clock strike on him, and that their rotation has many question marks especially in the back end. But here is the thing, THIS TEAM HAS PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE! If they play the way they have this year they will be an extremely tough out, knowing MLB they are going to rig the playoffs against them in favor of their southern neighbors!
Milwaukee Brewers (The Real OctoberFest): The Beer City gets to have another chance at winning a championship. Considering the expectations that a certain minority owner has for them this postseason it’s a tall task. (Giannis wants more rings!) Whenever I look at this squad I get flashbacks to the 2015 Royals. An excellent pitching staff across the board (Excluding Devin Williams), the hitting core having an impact late in the season, plus a manager destined for a championship. Christian Yelich has returned to old form, and the trade for Eduardo Escobar has brought another solid bat into their lineup. Plus Josh Hader is still setting the strikeout revolution as the bully in the pen. This is their last chance to win a World Series with Ryan Braun. (He hasn’t played a game all season but it would be nice to send him out on top) And they know it, if they fail to make the World Series Milt Mason would still be alive. And that means they would waste another generational talent in his prime. (⅓ of this curse is dead, they are waiting for the Brewers and Marquette Basketball to break through)
Atlanta Braves (A never ending machine): I don’t know how they do it but the Braves find numerous ways to win when everyone counts them out. When Ronald Ocuna went down everyone wrote these guys off. The reasons for their revival involve Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, the return of Adam Duvall, and Dansby Swanson. Charlie Morton and Max Fried have miraculously bounced back from their awful 1st Half and are pitching like gods again. I know their goal is to make it to a World Series, and they certainly have the talent to pull it off. However they get to face their former city and they want revenge for the Eastern Conference Finals. Will the Definition of Insanity return? WHO KNOWS!
Los Angeles Dodgers (The media darling city): It’s weird how I’m not criticizing Dave Roberts and the Dodgers lack of success in the playoffs. Now as the defending champions they have expectations to run it back. There will be plenty of challenges standing in the way. You may have to face your arch rival in the Giants, or worse, your playoff boogeyman in the Cardinals. (Throw Atlanta and Milwaukee in there too) Even if Trevor Bauer isn’t coming back any time soon, they still have a loaded rotation led by newcomers Danny Duffy, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, and Walker Buelher. That’s not even counting their rock solid bullpen. On offense they still have Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Justin Turner. But Trea Turner has lived up to expectations since LA acquired him in the Scherzer trade. All this team needs is for Cody Bellinger to return to MVP form in the playoffs. He had a down year last year too, but when playoff time comes, he is usually at his best. They are loaded once again and if they fall short this time expect their front office to be super aggressive for more talent because that’s how they are.
St Louis Cardinals (How the hell did they pull this off): This is why you never count out the St Louis Cardinals! They are a team that always goes down swinging at the end of the season. Everytime you think they are done they find more pixie dust and unsung heroes that help them win games. The players carrying the load are Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Tommy Edman, top prospect Dylan Carlson, and oh Tyler O’Neill who has been on a tear as of late along with Harrison Bader. This team went from mediocrity in early September to winning 21 of 23 to end the season, which includes a 17 game win streak. As a fan of a division rival I’m salty about the run of this team but they know what they’re doing. There is only one issue for the RedBirds. They have to face the Dodgers in the Wild Card game in LA, and they are starting 40 year old Adam Wainwright against the wrecking machine known as Max Scherzer. If they beat the Dodgers and Giants I’m going to lose my cool! I hope that doesn’t happen. PAUSE
The playoffs are about to begin. I know there are a few teams that I’m surprised aren’t in this hunt like the Padres, Mets, and Phillies. Blame their managers and injuries for why they aren’t in the playoffs. Anyways, who am I going to jinx this time?
Predictions: This is a bracket where I think anyone has a legit chance of making the World Series because of the talent spread around this season. I know I’m going to get heavily criticized for picking this matchup but I’m going with the 2 cities fighting for the rights of Sports Capital of the US. Tampa Bay and Milwaukee! Both teams look really good right now and both of their pitching staffs are tough to beat even if the names on paper aren’t DeGrom, Scherzer, and Ohtani. You can all call me crazy as the MLB is going to rig this October for Yankees vs Dodgers. THE BASEBALL GODS WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY!
Bragging Rights Sports 