After an eventful MLB regular season, America’s favorite pastime has made it to the annual postseason, and so far it has not disappointed. Heavy favorites including the Braves and Orioles have already been shockingly eliminated, and new upstart teams are looking to shock the world with an incredible postseason run.
The highly anticipated wild card games were a bit of a disappointment in the eyes of most MLB fans, as all 4 series were over after just two games. The young, upstart Diamondbacks waltzed into Milwaulkee and overpowered the lethargic Brewers offense, outscoring them 11-5. On the other side of the National League, the defending National League champions proved they still had it, taking down the Marlins with ease. The Rangers upset the 99-win Tampa Bay Rays in dominating fashion, and the Twins won their playoff game in over twenty years leading to a two game sweep of the Blue Jays.
With that, the NLDS and ALDS matchups were set. The World Series Favorite Atlanta Braves took on their division rival Philadelphia Phillies in a rematch of last years NLDS. Much like last year, the Phillies took down the World Series favorites in an incredible showing. Freshman Charlie Quinn was shocked by the result, saying “the braves were front runners by far” and he believed the Phillies were “not going anywhere”. On the other side of the National League bracket, the second seeded Los Angeles Dodgers had an inter division matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Much like the other NLDS series, the heavy favorite Los Angeles Dodgers came up flat, and were swept by the young, upstart Diamondbacks. Over in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles looked to extend their incredible season against the incredible offense of the Texas Rangers. However, the Rangers easily won in a dominating 3 game sweep over the Baltimore Orioles. Sophomore Evan Schwartz felt like the Orioles “gave up as soon as they finally made the playoffs”, and he is not wrong. The seemingly unbeatable Orioles keeled over and got eliminated. Wrapping up the ALDS, the reigning World Series Champion Houston Astros squared off versus the Minnesota Twins. The Twins run came to an end, after the Astros extended their ALCS appearance streak to an incredible seven straight years.
NLCS Preview:
With the NLDS complete, the National League has come down to the reigning NL Champions Philadelphia Phillies, and the incredibly unexpected Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies have been dominant on both sides of the ball all postseason, and have the experience of a deep postseason run. The Diamondbacks are a very inexperienced team, but have on of the most dynamic lineups in the National League. Both teams have a fearsome rotation, and both teams have an incredible bullpen. This series will come down to which team can come up clutch in the big moments, and there is no team in all of baseball more clutch than the Philadelphia Phillies. The combination of Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and postseason breakout Bryson Stott will prove to be too much for the young Diamondbacks team.
My Prediction: Phillies over Diamondbacks in 6 games
BHS Student Poll: 82% Phillies
ALCS Preview:
For the first time in the history of the two franchises, the Lone Star Series has made its way into the Postseason. The Astros are rapidly creating one of the most dominant dynasties in the past 20 years, and have seemed unstoppable in the playoffs over the past few years. The Rangers, on the other hand, have rapidly become one of the best teams in the league this year, and have still yet to lose a playoff game. This series will come down to who has the most complete roster, and although Houston has two championships in the past 6 years, the Rangers are the more complete team. They have the hottest hitter in baseball, Corey Seager, and a sneaky good pitching rotation to carry them to the upset vs the Astros.
My Prediction: Rangers over Astros in 7 games
BHS Student Poll: 58% Astros
