Joel Ruditsky 
October is here and so are the expected action-packed and dramatic MLB playoffs.
This year’s division series has featured three-game fives and a continuation of the class big brother little brother relationship.
For starters, the New York Yankees continued their tormenting of the Minnesota Twins as they swept them in three games. The sweep set an MLB record as New York has now defeated Minnesota 13 straight times in the playoffs.
The Yankees’ pitching deserves recognition as they held the Twins to seven runs all series. The bats, on the other hand, averaged 7.66 runs per game. A truly dominant performance to start October.
New York now awaits the winner of the Tampa Bay and Houston series. The Rays, who looked dead to water, will be looking to pull off a monumental upset of the 107 win Astros.
Houston won both games one and two behind strong performances from Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, looking to keep pace with the Yankees.
Then came the Rays with back to back home turf victories, including cracking the seemingly impenetrable Justin Verlander. A tall task awaits them though as game five will take place Thursday evening in Minute Maid Park against Cole.
No matter where you are, we have a watch party for you tomorrow! https://t.co/w64Nk1J3UL #StayHungry pic.twitter.com/8RI6TA7YW6
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 9, 2019
On the National League side of things, both series featured back and forth games going the distance. True to October baseball.
However, it was the road team in both series that would send the hometown fans back with a sour-tasting loss.
The first team would be the Atlanta Braves who drew the always pesky come playoff time St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards started the series by stealing one in Atlanta, while the Braves soon thereafter won the next two to steal back home-field advantage.
After an October style walk-off in game four for St. Louis, a win or go home was set up. This game ended up being over quicker rather than later though.
The Cardinals exploded for 10 runs in the first inning as Mike Foltynewicz lasted 1/3 of an inning. As Jack Flaherty pitched six strong innings on the other sides, the birds pulled off the upset to advance.
Moving On! #NLCS | #TimeToFly pic.twitter.com/HwfnSX3WtT
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 10, 2019
Down at Chavez Ravine, the Dodger got a great start from Walker Buehler and took a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning.
Things went downhill from there, as Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto went back-to-back off Clayton Kerhsaw to tie the game at three.
In the tenth inning, a pin drop could be heard as Howie Kendrick hit a grand slam. The Nationals wound up winning 7-3 and earned their first trip to the NLCS.
Author Profile
- I am a huge Yankees, New York Giants and Los Angeles Lakers fan. However I have a huge passion for all three sports in general across the MLB, NFL, and NBA. I also cover the Cal State Long Beach Men's Basketball team.
