October is here and postseason baseball has arrived! With the wild card rounds already over, the playoffs are flying by and it’s already been narrowed down to eight teams competing for the title of World Series champion. There’s been no shortage of action with upsets, sweeps and close games even in just the first week. Here’s what you need to know.
DETROIT TIGERS SWEEP HOUSTON ASTROS IN UPSET
The Houston Astros, as the team with the worst record to win an American League (AL) division, were seeded third and placed against the Detroit Tigers who tied the Kansas City Royals for a wild card spot, seeding the Tigers in sixth. With the Tigers never losing a lead in either of their games against the Astros, it’s fair to say that the Tigers won confidently. The Tigers’ only true starting pitcher, Tarik Skubal, led them to victory in Game 1 and the Tigers’ bullpen strategy in Game 2 sealed the deal.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS STIFLE BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN SWEEP
Most baseball fans would agree that the Orioles have been a team to watch this year. With the youth of their team and their exciting manner of play, it seemed like they were guaranteed to do big things this year. However, the Royals quickly shut them down, only allowing one run across both games. It seems like a good run next year is in the cards for the O’s, however. With another year under their young stars’ belts, the Orioles may be a real danger to the Yankees in the AL East.
NEW YORK METS NARROWLY TAKE GAME 3 AGAINST THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Brewers fans were likely all but jumping for joy up through the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 3 of the wild card series, being up two runs with only half an inning to go. But the Mets’ Pete Alonso, also known as the “Polar Bear”, hadn’t given up yet. After a run from Francisco Lindor and with two runners on base, Alonso hit the go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning which eventually carried the Mets to victory, eliminating the Brewers from the playoffs. This was the first time any major league player had hit a go-ahead home run while trailing in the ninth inning of a deciding postseason game. While it may be a slightly obscure statistic, it’s one Lindor will be proud to boast.
SHOHEI OHTANI IS WELCOMED TO OCTOBER BASEBALL AT LAST
Despite Ohtani being one of the hottest players in baseball over the past eight years, he never reached the postseason after seven years as a Los Angeles Angel (even with teammate Mike Trout, another one of the best players of all time). Now, with only one year as a Dodger, it’s finally time for Ohtani to prove himself in October. He certainly started off strong, with a three-run home run on two outs in Game 1 of the Division Series. However, he’s faltered in the last two games, with a mostly ordinary performance.
