In most sports, a strong postseason presence is more than just a desirable goal, as teams often use offseasons and practices preparing, spend the entire season fighting towards it, and continuously try to ensure the longevity of their seasons through many late-night film sessions. There are two ways to make it into the postseason in the MLB, either by clinching their spot, or to be deemed a Wildcard. In a normal, pre-coronavirus season, the three teams finishing with the best records in their respective leagues are automatically granted entrance to the postseason, with the ‘Wildcard’ teams being the next two teams with the best records. However, as if the 2020 season wasn’t surprising enough, this year the top four teams in each league secured their positions in the postseasons, with four wildcard teams each. This is exciting for many teams, as wildcard games act as a last at bat chance for teams with subpar records to throw their hats into the ring for the World Series Champion title.
Although numbers may tell a different story, once in the postseason, all teams stand on a level playing field, having to rely on their natural abilities, precisely trained skills, and the forces behind their bats to launch them into a league of their own. With wildcard games over and the Division Series in full swing, 8 teams are fighting to make it to the League Championships, and ultimately, the World Series. Only three games into the American League Division Series and two in the National League Division Series, anything is possible, as with five total games and the final few left, its grind time.
The games occurring Thursday, October 8th, are very important for both leagues, as it can be either the turning point, the tying point, or the determining point on which teams will make it to the Championships. As the American League heads into Game 4, tensions are high, as it is a chance for the winning teams to secure their championship series positions, and the losing teams’ last chance to tie up the series and force a Game 5. Going into Game 3 for the National League, the winning teams will try to end the series early, while the losing teams get one final chance to keep the series going.
American League
After a season full of criticism, close observation, and rebranding, the Houston Astros are eager to reclaim the respect and trust of other teams, the league, and baseball fans alike. With the cheating scandal placing them on the outskirts of the baseball world, Dusty Baker and his team are looking to show that their success is rooted from their skilled playing abilities, and not from their ability to cheat. After finishing second in the American League West and securing a wildcard position and series win, the Astros were able to remain in the postseason, and with a 2-1 lead over the Oakland Athletic’s going into Game 4, they are looking to keep this streak going. With last year’s defeat in the World Series still fresh on their minds, the Astros are yearning for another World Series appearance in hopes of a chance at redemption. On the other hand, seeded second in the American League going into the postseason, the Athletics have a reputation to uphold, as with a season-ending and resulting in the America League West First Place title, expectations are high. The last time the A’s achieved this title was in 2013, leaving fans excited and hopeful their postseason presence isn’t over yet. After reminding the Astros that they were not going down without a fight in game three with a 9-7 score, the Athletics have their work cut out for them going into tonight’s game. The Athletics have not made a World Series appearance since 1990, and with a season such as this years’, are hopeful that 2020 is the year this changes.
On the other side of the American League stands the Yankees and the Rays, with the Rays leading 2-1. As the Rays entered the postseason in the top spot after winning the American League East, they were able to secure their position in the division series early, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in two. The New York Yankees finished right below the Rays in the league, but were seeded fifth going into the postseason. After beating the Cleveland Indians in the wildcard series, the Yankees were ready to take on the number one seed in the division series. New York came out of the gates swinging, winning the first game of the series, and were predicted to win this series. However, the Tampa Bay Rays weren’t letting that happen on their watch, as they are looking to remain as the top seed. To answer the Yankees, the Rays won the next two games, and are looking to win a third consecutive game today. With no World Series Titles under their belts, and only one American League Pennant, the Rays are in the position to make franchise history, making the importance of tonight’s game rise significantly. The Yankees have a powerful incentive as well, as an Astro vs. Yankees American League Championship Series would be a great rematch of the 2017 American League Championship, a championship game that may or may not have been impacted by the Astros’ cheating scandal.
National League
On the other side of the country, teams are going into Game 3 of the Division Series with hopes of either remaining in the postseason, or ending the Division Series early. With powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers leading the league headed into the postseason, it is no surprise that they are fighting for their spot in both the Championship Series and World Series. After sweeping the Brewers early in the Wildcard Series, the Dodgers put themselves on the right track towards success, with a guaranteed spot in the Division Series. After making it to the postseason for seven consecutive years and only being able to achieve National League Pennants in 2017 and 2018, the pressure is on. Last year the Dodgers lost the National League Championship Series 3-2 to the Washington Nationals, and are looking to end this year differently, with hopes they can use tonight’s game to ensure their spot in the Championship Series. Making it past the championship series, there is potential for another rematch to occur, this time in the World Series. In 2017, the Dodgers played the Astros in the World Series, falling just short of a title, as the Astros won in Game 7. As another series which may have been impacted by the Astros’ cheating scandal, the Dodgers have a chance at redemption, with the potential for a different outcome this year. Playing against the Dodgers in the Division Series is another powerhouse, the San Diego Padres. Nicknamed Slam Diego, the Padres have made a big impact on the league this year, finishing the season only 6 wins behind the Dodgers. Seeded fourth going into the postseason, the Padres won the Wildcard Series against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3. Fans, players, and coaches alike have been patiently waiting for a season like this years’, as the last time the Padres won the National League West was in 2006, and a National League Pennant was in 1998. After making Major League Baseball history this season with five grand slams in 6 consecutive regular season games, the Padres have potential to make even more history, as they go into Game 3 tonight hoping to be able to win and remain in the postseason. With the Dodgers leading the series 2-0, emotions are at an all-time high, as this could be the last at bats the Padres have before retiring their 2020 season. However, fan expectations are high, as this is the best the Padres have done in many years, and with their incredible feats this year, they have created a widespread feeling of wishfulness, as the fans, coaches, and players are hopeful that this is the year they make it to the World Series.
The last two teams in the Division Series may not have been as expected as all the rest, as the Miami Marlins have only made the playoffs three times, with their last appearance in 2003 resulting in a World Series Title. After many years off, the Marlins have found their way back, and are hoping to remain in the postseason, as they head into Game 3 tonight against the Atlanta Braves. Ending in second in the National League East 4 wins behind the Braves, the Marlins secured their position in the postseason as one of the four wildcard teams. After an early win against the Chicago Cubs, the Marlins’ proved that they were in fact, a wildcard, as they defied expectations in moving onto the Division Series by beating the third-seeded team. With high hopes, defying odds, and the chance to regain their once won titles, the Marlins go into tonight’s game with the burden of having to win if they want to keep this streak going. Although their opponents were a surprise, the Atlanta Braves were a tad more anticipated to have a strong presence in the postseason, as they not only ended first in the National League East, but have also made it to the Division Series for the third consecutive year. This year is looking different, however, as going into the final games of the series, they are leading by 2. Last year, the Braves fell to the Cardinals in 5, losing the division series 3-2, and the year prior in 4 to the Dodgers, with a series record of 3-1. Their last World Series appearance occurred in 1999, where they were defeated by the New York Yankees in Game 4, with a series record of 4-0. With the loss last year after pushing the series to five games on their minds, the Atlanta Braves are entering tonight’s game with a little chip on their shoulder, wanting the outcome of the division series to be different this year. Leading the series 2-0, the Braves have the potential to make it to the Championship Series, a feat they have not achieved since 2001.
With a season as unconventional as this years and postseason appearances made by teams who have not made the playoffs in many years, the MLB postseason has lots of room for upsets, predictions, and redemption. Going into Game 3 and Game 4, these predictions and upsets are being put to the test, as teams fight for one more chance to make it to the Championship Series. With already so many surprises, nothing is impossible, making the year’s postseason, and more specifically the Division Series, that much more interesting.
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