"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." - Babe Ruth
And then there were four... The Atlanta Braves have crushed any last “Cinderella-story” dreams of the Miami Marlins. The Los Angeles Dodgers cruised past the “unwritten rule”-breaking San Diego Padres. The Houston Astros, fueled by their league-wide hate, mashed their way past the Oakland Athletics. The Tampa Bay Rays outlasted the Bronx bombing New York Yankees. With the ALCS starting on Sunday and the NLCS starting on Monday, here are the top stories to watch while you enjoy some playoff baseball.
Rays Seek (poetic) Justice
All baseball fans are aware of the cheating scandal that surrounded the Houston Astros 2017 World Series title. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the talk of the baseball world. Now, the Tampa Bay Rays may be the most rooted for team in America. Last year’s ALDS, which went five games, was the first ever postseason meeting between the two franchises, and a rematch this year should be even more exciting.
Travis d'Arnaud... so hot right now
Travis d’Arnaud looks just about unstoppable right now. Mostly known for his rollercoaster tenure with the New York Mets, d’Arnaud has redefined himself hitting in the middle of a powerhouse Atlanta Braves order. In the sweep of the Marlins, the Braves catcher slashed .600/.692/1.400 with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs, all of which are career playoff series highs. If d’Arnaud stays this hot, the Dodgers pitching will have their hands full with a lineup of Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman, Marcell Ozuna, and d’Arnaud.
Unfamiliar Territory
The Braves and Dodgers have only squared-off in the playoffs three times since 1900, all of which came in the Divisional round. The Braves swept the Dodgers in 1996 (and would eventually lose the World Series to the Yankees). The Dodgers won in the 2018 and 2013 Divisional Series, both in 4 games. Furthermore, because of the COVID-19 schedule, the two teams have not faced off since August of 2019. With the Dodgers back in the NLCS for the fourth time in five years and the Braves back in the NLCS for the first time since 2001, how will these teams match up after so long? How many games will the series go?
Arozarena Bursts into Stardom
With his performance against the Yankees in the Divisional round, Randy Arozarena has burst onto the scene, making his case to be a household name. Absolutely mashing a line of .500/.529/1.063 and 3 home runs, the Rays outfielder could do no wrong. Arozarena started the year on the COVID-19 list and has since proven why scouts in Tampa Bay were so high on him. If Arozarena can stay hot, he can provide a much needed heavy-hitter in the heart of the Rays lineup. Will he stay hot? If he does, will it be enough offense to overcome the Houston Astros? Randy Arozorena is someone to watch.
A Tale of Two Jansens
The Los Angeles Dodgers have enjoyed having one of the most dominant and consistent closers in all of baseball since he was called up back in 2010. Kenley Jansen is everything you want in a closer. Against the Padres, however, Jansen was as inconsistent as could be. In Game 1, Jansen recorded the last two outs on just 8 pitches, including a strike out of outfielder Wil Myers. In Game 2, Jansen couldn’t get through the ninth, letting up two earned runs on 3 hits, almost blowing the game. If the Dodgers want to make it to the promised land, they are going to need their star closer to get back on track. Which Kenley Jansen will we see? Will Jansen find himself and his consistent dominance that the Dodgers have grown accustomed to?
Game 1 of the NLCS will be played on Monday, October 12th. Game 1 of the ALCS will be played on Sunday, October 11th. Game times and television networks have yet to be announced.
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