Almanac Baseball: MLB ALDS and NLDS Reviews

 

Wet weather in New York delayed the finale of the MLB Divisional Series but they finally wrapped up just prior to the Phillies and the Padres taking the field for Game 1 of the NLCS (the Phillies blanked the home team and got the win via homers from big game stars Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber).

 

While I would have liked the Yankees to go the way of the Dodgers after being 2-1 down, it turns out the poseurs from the Bronx can muster a bit more steel when their backs are against the wall. They won Games 4 and 5 against the Guardians to secure their spot in the ALCS against the Astros.

 

In the two NLDS series, the wildcards prevailed. The Padres took a game from the Dodgers away and then stormed home in front of their home fans. Machado, Cronenworth and most of their hitters got amongst it. The show ponies had the measure of their Southern neighbours in the regular season but October is Mars to the 162 games played on Earth.

 

Teams can do incredible things in the postseason. It’s why the MLB playoffs are like nothing else in sport. Rarely does it go by the numbers or the bookies or by the whims of the suits. It’s visceral, it’s chaotic, it’s sublime and, most of all, it’s beautiful amigos.

 

What the Phillies did to the Braves further illustrates the point. The Atlanta franchise was the defending champ on a hot streak. I confess, going into the postseason, they looked the goods to me. But what the hell do I know?

 

Every player on the Phillies roster lifted. Despite finishing 3rd in their division, they played as if this stage was meant for them. They were mesmerising, with today’s NLCS win surely a sign they can go all the way.

 

I said in my last post the NL side of the ledger was shaping as far more interesting. So it has proven to be.

 

This will be the third time the Astros and Yankees have faced off in the ALCS in the last six years. Borrrinnngggg!!!!!!!

 

The only interest I have in that contest is seeing the Evil Empire vanquished (like the Astros have done the last two times) and then seeing the Astros handed their arses by either the Padres or the Phillies.

 

Recent history suggests the Padres are in the box seat. Every World Series winner in the last six years has beaten the Dodgers on the way through and the San Diego boys have never won it. But the Phillies …. the Fightin’ Phils … have a swagger and belief that is going to be hard to overcome. They’ve only won two WS before, so you could also make the case they are due.

 

Strap yourselves in for some rootin’ tootin’ stick over the next week or so. There’ll be swinging from the rafters in Philadelphia and San Diego. Oh and there will be another series going on but you know que sera, sera.

 

More from Brian The Ruminator can be read Here

 

 

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