Happy Friday,
More importantly… Happy Playoff Baseball Day!
Today starts the first postseason under the new format, and we get more playoff baseball than ever. After 162 games, 13 wins (11 if you have first-round bye) stand between the remaining 12 teams and the World Series Trophy.
I’m not going to make any projections for the postseason, but I will give you five things I’m looking forward to this playoff season.
1. The New Bracket
At minumum, we are getting 4 more playoff games this year, and that is if each of the wild-card series end 2-0. Going away from the single game wild-card was the best thing the MLB has changed in the last few years with all of their major changes (aside from elimitating the shift, but that starts next season). The first-round bye gives teams a slight advantage, but in my opinion not enough to make it a massive difference in a series, however only time will tell. Will the extra rest help or hurt teams? Will the wild-card teams have an effect on pitching staffs once they reach the divisional round? I think that is the most likely scenario, but like I said – we have to wait and see. I think the new format brings a whole new excitment to the playoffs and has created a real buzz that I feel hasn’t been around in a few years.
2. Albert Pujols Doing It One More Time
The news coming out last night that Albert Pujols almost retired mid-season this year was shocking, and I am beyond happy he didn’t and that he reached 700 homeruns. Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina are also retiring (well, Wainwright hasn’t said it officially), Albert Pujols is a first ballot hall of famer, and also one of my all-time favorite players. There is something special about playoff baseball and watching Puj do it one last time is something I am looking forward to. He currently has 19 career playoff homeruns, and ending the season on a bit of a hot streak, I can’t wait to see him add to that total.
3. The NLDS – Dodgers vs. _____
The Braves will be taking on the winner of the Phillies and Cardinals wildcard series and all playoff matchups are great, however the other NLDS series is something I am looking forward to. The Mets and Padres face off to determine who will be taking on the Dodgers in the second round of the bracket. The Mets have the two-headed monster in deGrom and Scherzer that should (in theory) help push them past the Padres, however the Padres have their own monster on the other side of the diamond in Soto and Machado. The wildcard matchup in itself will be exciting, but the next round is where the fun begins. Will the Dodgers’ high powered offense be able to get wins against deGrom, Scherzer, and Bassit? How much of the Padre offense will the Dodgers shut down in a division rivalry matchup? There is a lot to look forward to on either side of that coin, and I can’t wait.
4. Not Really Something We Are Guaranteed…
Do you realize there is a legitimate chance at a New York – New York World Series? I get it, people would get excited about a Los Angeles – New York matchup, but the same city matchup would be ELECTRIC. Not only would we be getting more of Mad Max and deGrom, but also getting to see them face the Subway Series rival offense? Come on! In the WORLD SERIES!? How can you not cheer for that a little bit deep down?
5. The Dodgers Letting Their Fans Down Again
I can’t wait to piss people off with this one. I get it, the MLBPA and the MLB agreed to play the 2020 COVID season and make it meaningful. Well everyone had the same conditions to play in. What about the fact the league and the players agreed it was real. How about the fact they still had to win games to get there. Blah-Blah-Blah. Let’s get real. It was a fake half season, there were no dog days of summer, there were neutral site games, and half of the teams had players miss time throughout the season with COVID. Okay, the Dodgers won the World Series, congrats. Now, do it in a real season. When the wear and tear has taken it’s toll, when you have to travel from home to another city to get heckled by the opposing teams faithful fans. 9 divison titles in the last 10 years, 3 World Series appearances – 1 “win”, and 6-time highest payroll (opening day) in the last 10 years. Put your money where your mouth is, and win a real ring and I will shut my mouth. Until then, it’s wild to me how confident Dodger fans talk and act when they are just regular season wagon and haven’t done anything in the playoffs. The Marlins have won more World Series in my life than the Dodgers… thats just wild to me.
“Well how about your Angels” – “At least we make the playoffs”… would you like your participation trophy hand delivered, or maybe you just want a cookie? Congrats! Have fun watching your team lose again.
For your hope, I have to eat my words, but until then, I stand by my beliefs. They are great regular season team, and don’t have the playoff finish.
This years playoffs are about to be exciting, and I cannot WAIT.
Till Next Time,
Trevor
