MLB Postseason Preview
The Major League Baseball playoffs begin next week, and while many teams have already clinched their respective divisions, there are still a handful of playoff berths yet to be decided. The following season summaries are the teams that I see playing in October.
The Chicago Cubs, also known as the “Loveable Losers,” enter this year’s playoffs as the far and away favorite to win their first ever World Series title since 1908. That’s a long 108 years. Led by last year’s NL Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta, as well as current NL ERA leader Kyle Hendricks, the Cubs have posted the league’s best overall team ERA, with a mark of 3.02. The lineup is stacked from top to bottom, including stars such as Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, and Anthony Rizzo. They are the team to beat this season, and anything short of ending their championship draught will be considered a disappointment for this team.
Following a lackluster 2015 campaign, the Washington Nationals returned to expectations this season, and they are only a couple games away from officially clinching the National League East crown. Second baseman Daniel Murphy has a very good chance of winning the NL batting title this season after signing with DC as a free agent. Max Scherzer leads the NL in strikeouts and is in contention to win his second career Cy Young.
Despite losing ace Clayton Kershaw for the majority of this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers overtook the Giants for the NL West lead in August and have not looked back since. Kershaw has “only” pitched 135 innings, but has still posted an insane 1.73 ERA.
After the New York Mets lost so many key players throughout the season, including Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom, who are both out for the remainder of the season, it’s amazing that the reigning NL champs are still in the playoff race. But there just seems to be a “next man up” mentality with this team. Just like last year, Yoenis Cespedes has ignited his team to the cusp of yet another unheralded postseason berth.
The San Francisco Giants have a knack for playing well in even-numbered years; after all, they won the World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014, so will 2016 bring more of the same? They certainly have the roster to do so, with ace Madison Bumgarner leading the charge.
One of the most potent offenses in recent memory has helped to cover up a rather average pitching staff for the Boston Red Sox. David “Big Papi” Ortiz has absolutely thrived in his final season as a professional ballplayer, but guys such as Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Dustin Pedroia have also performed exceptionally well.
Will the Cleveland Indians be hosting another championship parade this year following the Cavs title just a few months ago? It definitely is a possibility with this Indians squad. Starting pitcher Corey Kluber is in contention to win his second consecutive Cy Young Award. They are vying for their first World Series title since 1948. That’s quite a drought... Josh Donaldson has put up yet another season with phenomenal numbers, and the stacked Toronto Blue Jays lineup has enabled J.A. Happ to reach the 20 win milestone for the year. Edwin Encarnacion, Troy Tulowitzki, and Jose Bautistia have posted impressive stat lines as well, per usual.
The Baltimore Orioles’ pitching staff hasn’t been anything special, but the lineup boasts six batters with at least 20 home runs. That’s including Mark Trumbo, MLB’s leader with 45 homers on the season. But Manny Machado, Chris Davis, and Adam Jones all have some serious power too.
I see the Mets playing the Nationals in the NLCS, and the Red Sox playing the Orioles in the ALCS. Ultimately, I see New York defeating Boston in a rematch of the 1986 World Series. Last year’s agonizing defeat to Kansas City meant unfinished business for this season, and I truly believe, as a diehard fan, the Mets will enjoy some sweet redemption this time around.