MLB PLAYOFFS
Posted On: 10/3/14
Written By: Nate Brunet
*Click images below to view larger versions.
Jon Lester
James Shields
Victor Martinez
Chris Tillman
Mike Trout
Buster Posey
Andrew McCutchen
Adam Wainwright
Yasiel Puig
Jayson Werth
The NFL is the sports league gaining all the headlines in both sports and popular culture news lately, making it easy to forget that the MLB playoffs are here!
The 2014 baseball season has been an interesting one mostly because of how different it feels from previous seasons. The instant replay rule proved to be a game-changing feature, even though the league still managed to blow some calls. This year was also notable for a couple of big name departures at the end of the season: Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig, who is stepping down after he took the responsibility of Acting Commissioner in 1992; and legendary future-Hall of Fame shortstop for the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter, who is retiring after spending his entire career with the team since being drafted by them in 1995. Furthermore, as we are seemingly living in an alternate universe, the Boston Red Sox are one of the worst in the league and the Kansas City Royals are actually a good playoff team.
Even though the two Wild Card round winners will be determined by the time this column comes out, I would still like to give you a brief summary of all 10 teams that made the playoffs this year, and why each team has a chance to win.
Oakland Athletics
Record: 88-74
American League Wild Card Team
The A’s almost slid out of playoff contention after winning only five of their last 10 games, but beat out Seattle by one game. Still, they were one of the most dominant teams over the season with an offence that scored many runs. They are also supported by one of the best pitching staffs in the league, led by former Red Sox ace Jon Lester.
Kansas City Royals
Record: 89-73
American League Wild Card Team
This team has slowly been on the rise the past couple of years, and they finally made it back to the playoffs for the first time in 29 years (which is when they won the World Series). Not an offensive powerhouse, they rely on their great fielding and talented pitching staff highlighted by veteran James Shields.
Record: 88-74
American League Wild Card Team
The A’s almost slid out of playoff contention after winning only five of their last 10 games, but beat out Seattle by one game. Still, they were one of the most dominant teams over the season with an offence that scored many runs. They are also supported by one of the best pitching staffs in the league, led by former Red Sox ace Jon Lester.
Kansas City Royals
Record: 89-73
American League Wild Card Team
This team has slowly been on the rise the past couple of years, and they finally made it back to the playoffs for the first time in 29 years (which is when they won the World Series). Not an offensive powerhouse, they rely on their great fielding and talented pitching staff highlighted by veteran James Shields.
Detroit Tigers
Record: 90-72
American League Central Division Champion
With designated hitter Victor Martinez having the best season of his career, along with a very deep batting lineup, this is easily one of the best offenses in the league. The Tigers also have a ridiculously strong pitching staff with playoff experience.
Record: 90-72
American League Central Division Champion
With designated hitter Victor Martinez having the best season of his career, along with a very deep batting lineup, this is easily one of the best offenses in the league. The Tigers also have a ridiculously strong pitching staff with playoff experience.
Baltimore Orioles
Record: 96-66
American League East Division Champion
Our hometown team has one of the best offenses in baseball, full of guys who love hitting home runs. Even without top offensive players Matt Wieters, Manny Machado and Chris Davis, Chris Tillman leads a very good pitching staff that will be the difference maker in the Orioles’ success.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Record: 98-64
American League West Division Champion
Boasting the best record in the league, the Angels are the favorites to win the World Series. Led by superstars Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, this team scores a heck of a lot of runs. In fact, they have a league-leading 773 runs scored this season. Their pitching is good, but expect this team to win by lighting up the scoreboard every night.
Record: 96-66
American League East Division Champion
Our hometown team has one of the best offenses in baseball, full of guys who love hitting home runs. Even without top offensive players Matt Wieters, Manny Machado and Chris Davis, Chris Tillman leads a very good pitching staff that will be the difference maker in the Orioles’ success.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Record: 98-64
American League West Division Champion
Boasting the best record in the league, the Angels are the favorites to win the World Series. Led by superstars Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, this team scores a heck of a lot of runs. In fact, they have a league-leading 773 runs scored this season. Their pitching is good, but expect this team to win by lighting up the scoreboard every night.
San Francisco Giants
Record: 88-74
National League Wild Card Team
The Giants had a 9 1/2-game lead in their division before settling for a Wild Card spot. Although this team has been inconsistent, it does not mean they are lacking in talent. With Buster Posey hitting and Madison Bumgarner pitching, anything could happen in the playoffs.
Record: 88-74
National League Wild Card Team
The Giants had a 9 1/2-game lead in their division before settling for a Wild Card spot. Although this team has been inconsistent, it does not mean they are lacking in talent. With Buster Posey hitting and Madison Bumgarner pitching, anything could happen in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 88-74
National League Wild Card Team
Battling into the postseason once again, the Pirates have a great batting lineup anchored by Andrew McCutchen. Their pitching staff also has one of the best combined ERAs in the league, with Edinson Volquez leading the team in wins and ERA. This team has the opportunity to pour in the runs at any moment’s notice.
Saint Louis Cardinals
Record: 90-72
National League Central Division Champion
Fighting off a possible tie for the division lead with Pittsburgh, the Cardinals are as strong as they have been all season coming into the playoffs. Their hitting certainly won’t mesmerize fans, as they have lost the punch that made them the top scorers in the National League last year. However, their pitching staff, led by Adam Wainwright is one of the strongest in the league.
Record: 88-74
National League Wild Card Team
Battling into the postseason once again, the Pirates have a great batting lineup anchored by Andrew McCutchen. Their pitching staff also has one of the best combined ERAs in the league, with Edinson Volquez leading the team in wins and ERA. This team has the opportunity to pour in the runs at any moment’s notice.
Saint Louis Cardinals
Record: 90-72
National League Central Division Champion
Fighting off a possible tie for the division lead with Pittsburgh, the Cardinals are as strong as they have been all season coming into the playoffs. Their hitting certainly won’t mesmerize fans, as they have lost the punch that made them the top scorers in the National League last year. However, their pitching staff, led by Adam Wainwright is one of the strongest in the league.
LA Dodgers
Record: 94-68
National League West Division Champion
One of the most balanced teams in the league, the Dodgers have a great batting lineup including young stars like Yasiel Puig and veterans like Adrian Gonzalez. Pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke are the front of a very good pitching staff, and the team looks to be one of the top contenders this year.
Record: 94-68
National League West Division Champion
One of the most balanced teams in the league, the Dodgers have a great batting lineup including young stars like Yasiel Puig and veterans like Adrian Gonzalez. Pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke are the front of a very good pitching staff, and the team looks to be one of the top contenders this year.
Washington Nationals
Record: 96-66
National League East Division Champion
In their last 13 starts, the Nationals’ pitching staff went 13-0 with no more than two runs scored each game. Even if this team didn’t have awesome offensive players like Adam LaRoche and (former Delmarva Shorebird) Jayson Werth, they would be a team to be reckoned with just because of their great pitching. As Ocean City’s second hometown team, watch for the Nationals to be one of the best teams of the postseason this year.
Record: 96-66
National League East Division Champion
In their last 13 starts, the Nationals’ pitching staff went 13-0 with no more than two runs scored each game. Even if this team didn’t have awesome offensive players like Adam LaRoche and (former Delmarva Shorebird) Jayson Werth, they would be a team to be reckoned with just because of their great pitching. As Ocean City’s second hometown team, watch for the Nationals to be one of the best teams of the postseason this year.