The MLB Postseason

The long awaited month is finally near

image from: google images

OCTOBER! October as a season brings joy to many. Maybe you like pumpkin spice lattes? Maybe you like Halloween? Maybe you just enjoy the fall atmosphere? However, October is really known for being the month of playoff baseball. 

All of the 5 previous months of hard work, losses, and wins leads to this one month of win or go home baseball. In order to make the postseason a team has to either win their division (3 teams in each conference) or a team has to be in the top 3 teams of the teams that do not win their division. If the season were to end today the American conference playoffs would consist of the Toronto Blue Jays (82-61), the Detroit Tigers (82-62), and the Houston Astros (78-66). All of these teams are in first place in their respective divisions. The teams that would be in the AL wild card are the New York Yankees (80-63), the Boston Red Sox (79-65), and the Seattle Mariners (75-68). 

Other teams are also in the hunt for the wild card such as the Texas Rangers (74-70), and the Kansas City Royals (73-70). I would not be surprised if either of these teams sneak their way into the wild card as the regular season comes to a close. In the National conference, the playoff teams would be the Milwaukee Brewers (89-55), the Philadelphia Phillies (83-60), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (79-64). In the wild card would be the Chicago Cubs (81-62), the San Diego Padres (78-65), and the New York Mets (76-67). Other teams in the hunt for a wild card spot include the Cincinnati Reds (72-71), and the San Francisco Giants (72-71). 

My predictions for this playoff is that the Milwaukee Brewers and the Phillies will battle it out in the National League Championship Series and the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers will duel in the American League Championship Series. I believe that we will see a very entertaining World Series this year containing the Toronto Blue Jays and the Milwaukee Brewers. These two teams are full of superstars and veterans who will lead their prospective teams. 

A lot rides on these playoffs for teams such as the Red Sox who are looking to re-sign superstar Alex Bregman. With an early exit in the playoffs for the Red Sox could mean a dismissal for Alex Bregman. Even though this Red Sox team has a lot to lose with an early exit in the playoffs, I also believe that they could make a deep run depending on the overall health of the team. In recent weeks the Red Sox have been dealing with injuries to their two young stars in Marcelo Mayer (wrist) and Roman Anthony (oblique). The Red Sox, even if they do not make a deep run, have a bright future ahead with a great farm system and a couple young guys on the team. 

Another team with a lot to lose with an early exit in the playoff is the Philadelphia Phillies who have lots of players looking to enter free agency this offseason. Some notable players are Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto. These two guys are vital pieces to the Phillies team and more importantly their offense. This Playoff is shaping up to be one of vast excitement and awesome moments, and even though there is a lot to lose for some teams, there is also a lot to gain.

Oliver Gates ‘27