The World Series. A time of the year where every single goal in baseball has either been reached or has been a straight up disaster. Before we go further lets see how the 10 teams that made this gauntlet did. And I know there’s going to be a ton of salt from small market fans when it comes to the matchup at the very well.
Houston Astros (What A Shocker): Oh No, the Astros got whooped on their home soil by a team that had nothing to lose! How horrible! Don’t be shocked by this at all. The issue for Houston in this series was that they were up against their old manager in AJ Hinch. Joe Espada, despite the promise he showed in his first season as manager proved that he wasn’t ready for the big time. Once they got shut down by Tarik Skubal in Game 1, there was a feeling that it wasn’t meant to be for Houston. That point was further proven in Game 2 as the bullpen failed to keep the Gritty Tigs caged in the late innings. (That and the normally reliable hitting core couldn’t stop swinging at offspeed pitches) The Astros right now are in an interesting situation. Alex Bregman is a free agent, and they have a massive hole at first base. Will they keep Bregs around and go for Vlad Jr? Or will they trust their talented farm system which is still one of the best in baseball? Regardless of which decision they make, all of Yankeedom right now is celebrating their demise. Why was I bought into them making another run when I saw them back in August?
Baltimore Orioles (The Summer of 69 Redux): We have been transported back to the 2023 AFC Championship Game. Kansas City coming into Baltimore and ripping the souls out of an entire fanbase and area. And like that infamous day in January, it wasn’t as if KC didn’t really win it but more that their opponents from Charm City kept chopping themselves off at the knees. Despite all of that young talent in their lineup, the Orioles could muster only a single run in two games. (Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin did their best Mike Mussina and Jimmy Key impersonation from 1997) 0-13 with runners in scoring position. Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson being invisible at the plate all series. Not to mention they were completely dominated by the pitching staff of their opponents. Right now if I’m the O’s I don’t know what to do. Burnes and Anthony Santander are free agents, and considering that Baltimore is not a glamorous free agent destination, I don’t know if they’ll be able to keep either one of them. And no Brandon Hyde is not going anywhere, all they’re doing is changing the deck chairs inside the dugout. Cal Ripken Jr and David Rubenstein have their work cut out for them. Losing 10 straight playoff games going back to 2014 is not the sign of a healthy organization. And now as they watch the Yankees in the World Series, there is one thing rolling through the minds of the entire Orioles organization. That should have been them.
Atlanta Braves (Cracked Legs): This is no surprise, the Braves were lucky to have even made the playoffs given how many injuries they’ve had this year. That trip to San Diego for the Wild Card Series was a slap back to reality. They kept it close for one game, but that was all they could muster throughout the series. They could have really used both Acuna and Austin Riley in this series. But even then I don’t know if it would have been enough. Michael King was locked in and I don’t think there was much Atlanta could have done against him. The Padres were the better team and it showed. However I’m starting to believe that the Braves haven’t escaped being the land of bad narratives. They’re the MLB version of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Or the Capitals and Saints) Tremendous failure in the playoffs, followed by a long awaited championship, then followed by more heartbreak. Although luckily for Atlanta, they in theory don’t have metalsome ownership that could hold them back and run the franchise into the ground. At least you still have most of the injured guys coming back next year I guess.
Milwaukee Brewers (Can’t Escape Milt Mason): How the hell does this keep happening? I don’t understand this? The Brewers had what looked like a fairytale season in the making. Overcoming all the odds placed against a team, losing cornerstone after cornerstone due to injury or the open market, yet still managing to wipe out the rest of the NL Central, only to crumble at the worst possible times. This series against the Mets was a prime example of it. Game 1 I won’t go too hard on them because even if Freddy Peralta got beat up, but then Game 3 was possibly the most bone crushing loss in franchise history. Back to back homers to take the lead in the 7th inning, the most electric moments at American Family Field since Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder rocked the Cardinals in Game 1 of the 2011 NLCS. (BOOM!) But then the normally unstoppable Devin Williams fell victim to the power of Grimace. He was eaten alive by the Polar Bear by way of a 3 run homer. Shades of the 2007 NFC Championship. (Ironically against a team from New York too) As rough as this ending was for Milwaukee I won’t go too hard on them because they exceeded many expectations this year, but you kind of feel like they missed a golden opportunity to finally end the Curse of Milt Mason. Oh well at least Yelich will be back by this time next year.
Kansas City Royals (Is That Thurman Munson?): At least you continued the narratives of how KC has straight up dominated Baltimore in the playoffs. However this series was a glorious flashback to the 1970s. Being unable to stop the Yankee Army from coming to destroy Kauffman Stadium. And like those battles from nearly 50 years ago, Kansas City had plenty of opportunities to win the series yet they proved that they weren’t ready to shock the world. Think about this. They held Judge and Soto in check for the entire series and still ended up losing. Why? Because other than Bobby Witt Jr, the Royals had no answers for the Yankees arsenal of arms. They made Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver look like Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage. That’s how bad it looked for KC. The only positive outcome of this series for most of America is that Patrick Mahomes finally gets to taste some kind of playoff defeat to one of his teams prior to the semis. (At least he and the rest of the Royals ownership group is going to spend money after this run) And even then most people won’t go super hard on them because they’re still very early into their current window. This offseason should give them more confidence for the future.
Detroit Tigers (Revenge For OSU vs Michigan): “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WE DON’T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, (At least they had a great run for what it was worth despite being left for dead in August) THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, WE DON’T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN (It looked like it was going to be 2006 all over again, well Lane Thomas had other plans) WE’RE FROM OHIO! WE’RE FROM OHIO! O! H! WE’RE FROM OHIO! I! OOOOOOO! WE DON’T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN, (Don’t worry too much Tiger fans, if the core is able to keep this hot streak going, and if they can add a few more weapons, you’ll be back here in no time) WE DON’T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN WE’RE FROM OHIO!”
San Diego Padres (The Qualcomm Special): If this series is not a perfect representation of Slam Diego over the last several years I don’t know what will. The Padres imposed their will in back to back games, Dodgers fans are so mad that they are throwing things on the field at Jurickson Profar because of him trolling Mookie Betts. A 2-1 lead with a chance to make the baseball world laugh at Dave Roberts once again. However, “HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!” The High End Talent of LA had other plans. In Games 4 and 5, San Diego was absolutely lit up by the Dodgers bats, like they have been for most of the last five years. Dylan Cease and Yu Darvish were lit up like a Christmas Tree, but that doesn’t solve the whole story. Seriously, HOW THE HELL DO YOU GO SCORELESS IN THE LAST 25 INNINGS OF THE DAMN SERIES! Not to mention Game 4 was a bullpen game for LA because of how wrecked their rotation was at the time, and Yamamoto had just come off the IL. The worst part for the Padres is that despite how much talent they have, I don’t know if they’ll get another chance like this again. And if that’s the case, let’s just say it mostly isn’t their fault. Blame Rob Manfred and his biases towards big market teams. (This isn’t just for them, every small market team must go through this)
Philadelphia Phillies (Operation Burn McDonalds): The Baseball World is very strange isn’t it. The past two years the Phillies made deep runs thanks to knocking off a potent machine that had everything to prove. But what is it like to be on the opposite side of that? Well it’s painful. And that’s what happened to Rob Thompson’s bunch. Just like the 76ers vs Knicks series back in April, Philly was beaten in the worst way possible. AT THEIR OWN GAME! Epic crunch time moments was their calling card the last two years. Well now they had to watch possibly their biggest rival enjoy such a feat. Game 1 was a prime example. Zach Wheeler pitches a gem through 7 innings, it should be a done deal. But then the newest form of LOLMETS happened. Ok Game 2, you had that epic comeback and have some momentum going. And then Aaron Nola gets bashed in Game 3, plus Francisco Lindor went slamma jamma in Game 4. But there’s one last bit of hope. Edwin Diaz has forgotten how to throw strikes, and Philly has top of the order due up with a chance to force Game 5 back at Citizens Bank. (BUZZER!) AND THEY DIDN’T SCORE! Series over. Tough luck Philly, this is what it’s like to be beaten at your own game. Looks like Dave Dombrowski has a ton of work to do once the Hot Stove heats up. Would have been nice not to trade most of your bullpen to the Orioles just saying. (If there is any solace, the O’s went home early too)
Cleveland Guardians (Devoured, AGAIN): You seriously expected the MLB to let you past the Yankees! (At least you exceeded expectations only for the usual bully to consume you whole at the worst possible moments) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MY GOODNESS YOU ARE SO DELUSIONAL! (This is where the misfortune of Shane Beiber being injured came back to bite them) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Agony, thy name is Giancarlo! And Juan Soto too)
New York Mets (DONG! DONG! DONG!): We all thought Grimace would join Baby Shark, and the Rally Monkey in baseball lore. It’s too bad that the team that despises both of those previous good luck charms had other plans. The Dodgers were on a mission to seek and destroy anything resembling orange and blue. Well guess what? They did just that. The Mets were outclassed in nearly every phase of the game for most of the series. Other than the 1st Half of Games 2 and 5, it was if LA was imposing their will. (There will be no revenge for 1988) Every great moment by Lindor, Alonso, and Vientos was instantly matched in a hurry. And there’s no shame in being completely fair. Even though this was a hard way to go out, the fans in Queens shouldn’t be too devastated. (Well we were this close to a Subway Series) They exceeded every single expectation and doubter placed upon them this season. And knowing Steve Cohen he is going to use this run as a way to go big game hunting in the offseason. As long as they can lock up the Polar Bear and add a big fish on the mound, they should be right back in this spot next year. Unless LOLMETS reverts back to its previous form. That would not be good. PAUSE.
Last year we had the World Series of chaos. This year, we’re getting a clash that’s going to be on the verge of breaking records in terms of ratings for a single Fall Classic. Why do you ask? Because the matchup you’re about to see has starpower written all over it. And the team representing the AL has been waiting a long time by their standards for this moment.
New York Yankees: (Empire State of Mind playing) THOSE DAMN YANKEES! For the first time in 15 years, the World Series will be heading back to the Bronx. (“Which is where it belongs!” -Every Yankee fan) As much as I don’t want to admit this as a fan of a rival, it’s about time the Yankees get another chance at glory. Since their 27th title in 2009 it has been nothing but trying times for them. No not in terms of their on the field product but in terms of not being able to get over the hump. Constantly victimized by their rivals from Houston and Boston, Aaron Boone being on the hot seat in the eyes of the fans, and a bunch of big moves to go all in did not pan out. This time around, things are different inside the House of Steinbrenner. It looked like there were times that the Yankees would fall off to the point of losing the division during the summer. Well they didn’t. (You can thank the Orioles for collapsing but these guys earned it) Their arch rival from the 70s has a new lessened life after years of tanking. BASHED! Cleveland, a team trying to overcome the Curse of Chief Wahoo and looking like a team of destiny. SENT HOME BY THE BOMBERS YET AGAIN! This Yankee team had a ton of questions going into the playoffs based on how much talent and depth they had around their big guns, and they answered them convincingly. Behind the plate they have a two headed monster in Jose Trevino and Austin Wells. Trevino has been injured for most of the year, but him being back for the playoffs was huge for his presence to the pitching staff. Wells meanwhile has enjoyed an outstanding rookie season and has become a fan favorite. (Girardi/Posada vibes eh?) Anthony Rizzo after an 8 year wait is getting another shot at a title. I loved him when he was a Cubbie, and even if he may not be what he was in Wrigleyville but he’s still one of their veteran leaders. Roaming the middle infield are Gleyber Torres, and Anthony Volpe. Torres has been with the club for quite some time, and after a couple of down years, he has been able to revive just in the nick of time to help guide this team back to the promised land. Volpe may be one of the most inconsistent players in the game, but when he’s on you can understand why so many Yankee fans are high on his potential. DJ LeMahieu should be mentioned but he’s been out with injury. And who needs him. Jazz Chisholm adds another element to this offense with both his legs and his bat. He’s cooled off since the summer, but you still can’t take him lightly. Their outfield with where they make the big headlines. Alex Verdugo and Jasson Dominguez have been solid pieces for them, but they pale in comparison to their Big 3. Giancarlo Stanton after years of teasing and tantalizing the Bronx, has finally broken out into one of the most clutch hitters in the game like he was in Miami. (Shades of 2009 A-Rod) Juan Soto is doing his best Reggie Jackson impersonation. He was already one of the best bats in the game with the Nationals and Padres, but since becoming a Yankee, he has ascended to potential icon status. Speaking of icons, ALL RISE FOR ONE OF THE GREATEST POWER BATS OF THIS GENERATION! Aaron Judge, the first Yankee captain since Derek Jeter, has been the cornerstone of this franchise for nearly a decade, and even for his playoff struggles, you can’t ignore the impact that he has on this lineup. (Although he loves crushing Cleveland pitching doesn’t he?) The pitching staff for most of the last decade was what held the Bronx Bombers back from a title. Now it’s their biggest strength. Gerrit Cole, like Judge, has been a cornerstone for quite some time. One of the best pitchers of this generation is getting another chance at glory. And he’s not alone. Carlos Rodon has bounced back big time after being injured in 2023, and Luis Gil despite recent struggles is another blessing to a team that loves its stars. (Clarke Schmidt too even if he may not be a stud) The bullpen this year has been baseball’s best. Just the way New Yorkers like it. Mark Leiter has been a solid pickup from the Cubs, Ian Hamilton and Tommy Kahnle have been solid but the real sensations are Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver. Holmes was the closer for most of the year, but since being demoted to set up man, he has rediscovered his once great form that he had in 2022. Speaking of closers, Weaver has done his best Sandman impersonation by locking down 8th and 9th innings. And that’s a big reason why they’ve gotten here. (The only blemish was against the Guardians in Game 3) You know what I find interesting. Both Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman were the whipping boys of an entire fanbase and city at this time one year ago. Now each of them get their chance at another title. (Cashman that is, Boone has never won one as a player or manager) The Yankees haven’t won a championship since the Boss passed away in 2010, hell this is their first World Series appearance since then. If they win Title #28, both George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard will be smiling up there in heaven. But in order for them to claim such a prize, there is one more river they must cross, and that so happens to be a river consumed by a franchise that is a literal clone of theirs.
Los Angeles Dodgers: (California Love playing) Over the last eight seasons, no team in baseball has had more success both on and off the field than the Dodgers. Four trips to the World Series, and now they want their 2nd title in that span. Since that 2020 championship which they won in the Arlington Bubble, lets just say things haven’t panned out for LA. In each of the last three years, the Dodgers hopes of becoming the next great dynasty in the MLB was shot down by injuries. Many people would blame Dave Roberts for these losses, but in his defense he never had his full arsenal of weapons out there to be showcased. Enough of that. Let’s get to the good stuff regarding these boys in blue. During their run of excellence, LA has made one thing very clear. Whenever a big fish is out there on the open market both in the offseason, and the trade deadline, they will take it. (A Yankee motto while George was in charge) And it also helps that they for a long time have had one of the better farm systems in the majors thanks to Andrew Friedman being such a great evaluator of talent. The talent he and Roberts have had to work with both developed or poached from other teams has carried them to glory once again. In the playoffs they took down two opponents that wanted to knock them off so badly. The Padres in particular wanted to prove that 2022 wasn’t a fluke. Well too bad for both them and the Mets that LA suffocated them at the most significant times of each series. The Dodgers have had some incredibly talented teams during the Roberts and Friedman Era, but this may be the most loaded squad they have had. Let’s begin with the big guns that they’ve brought in over the past few years. Freddie Freeman was a legend in the ATL for helping the Braves win a World Series in 2021. Now in Dodger Blue he has elevated his game both with the bat and the glove at a stage where most players at first base are in a stage of decline. Teoscar Hernandez was in my opinion the most underrated signing of the offseason. And he’s added another element to a lineup full of riches after years of inconsistent play in Toronto and Seattle. Tommy Edman was a fan favorite in St Louis for a few years, now he’s a fan favorite in Chavez Ravine especially after his performance in the NLCS. While all of those moves were big, they pale in comparison to one man and one man only. Perhaps the most gifted player in the history of the game SHOHEI OHTANI! After years of rotting in Anaheim, he finally gets to taste a drop of postseason glory. This year even though he hasn’t pitched due to injury, he has taken his dominant bat to new heights. A 50-50 season followed by crushing any pitch thrown at him with runners on base during this postseason. An Everyman if there ever was one. Then there are the key contributors from their 2020 championship team that are still around and kicking ass. Mookie Betts who still ia generation 5 tool superstar, Will Smith perhaps the best hitting catchers in the game, Gavin Lux who is starting to play up to his pre-draft expectations, Max Muncy who is still a heavyweight in the batter’s box, and Keke Hernandez who is still one of their go-to bats in the clutch. (Is it me or is he giving me Al Horford vibes?) There’s also Andy Pages, Miguel Rojas, and the defensive wizard of Kevin Kiermaier. Thank you very much. The pitching staff is where they’ve made their money over this timeframe. Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and Dustin May among others may all be dealing with Tommy John, but the guys they have now are flamethrowers. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is to the pitching staff what Ohtani is to the offense. A Japanese sensation who is the definition of a difference maker. Jack Flaherty has been revived to the point where he’s back to his once great form as a Cardinal. (Why couldn’t he do this with the O’s?) Not to mention Walker Buehler is back and is dominating again. The bullpen, loaded. Michael Kopech free from the South Side, Daniel Hudson back in 2019 vintage, Alex Vesia, Brudsar Graterol, Blake Treinen, and their fireman Evan Phillips. Yes Phillips is injured but even if he goes out, Treinen and company should fill that void. As mentioned the Dodgers want to prove that 2020 wasn’t a Mickey Mouse fluke. What they want now is simple. To be validated as a dynasty! To prove that Dave Roberts is indeed a future Hall of Fame manager. That and giving Shohei his long awaited title. PAUSE.
“What a traditional series before us. The Yankees against the Dodgers.” That’s right Howard Cosell. For the 12th time in history these two franchises will be playing each other for the Commissioner’s Trophy which by the way is the most times that two teams have played each other in the World Series. The Yankees may lead the all time series 8-3 but almost every one of these has been decided in dramatic fashion especially those in the 1950s. The first time these two teams have met in over 40 years. (That series as well as 1978 had a 2-0 comeback) As for this series, it’s all about the starpower matchups. Judge against Ohtani. Soto against Mookie. Cole against Yamamoto. Stanton against Freeman. New York vs LA. And the two highest payrolls in all of baseball. And that’s just the start of it. Both Aaron Boone and Dave Roberts have been the two most criticized managers in the game today by a country mile. Many Yankees/Dodgers fans have believed that any winning that these teams have done have been in spite of their managers. That was until this year to be sure. Not only that, but this is a monumental matchup for another reason. This series will be the final games of two of the most decorated broadcasters in baseball history. John Sterling and Charlie Steiner. (Ironically both of them worked together in New York from 2003-2005) Sterling has been the voice of the Yankees since the late 1980s, and has been a part of five Yankee championship teams. Even though he called it a career around midseason, he did come back for the playoffs and boy was that a great decision. (Imagine his career ending with a “THAAAAAAAAAA YANKEES WIN” call) Steiner has been the voice of the Dodgers since 2006, and even though he may lack the iconic status of a guy like Sterling, he still has had an outstanding career behind the mic. (2020 championship as well) IT’S THE MEGA EMPIRE FROM THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS AGAINST THE MEGA EMPIRE FROM THE CITY OF ANGELS! Either way one of these teams and insufferable fanbases will shed every single narrative placed against them over the last decade plus. The true East vs West matchup. Mel Allen and Vin Scully would be pleased. ROB MANFRED IS DOING JUMPING JACKS AND CARTWHEELS!
Prediction: This is about as even a matchup as you can find. Both of these teams as proven all postseason have rarely any strengths and weaknesses. Well they both had depth concerns but those are things of the past. I expect this to be an absolute clash with both sides trading dramatic wins and moments throughout the series. My cousins from my mom’s side will get mad at me for saying this, but I’m going to do it anyway. LA achieves their dynasty status in 7. Either way I expect blood and tension in this series. If we get a blowout one way or another, I’m not going to be pleased just saying.
Bragging Rights Sports 