The Rundown
We are about two weeks out until the regular season comes to an end. It is crazy I feel like it just started…. oh wait…
Here is a snapshot of how the playoff standings look with just two weeks to go.
MLB.com
Remember, because of the shortened season, the MLB extended the postseason format to include eight teams from each league, sixteen teams total. The seeding is based on how teams finish in their division and their overall record. The top three seeds will go to the division winners (Top Team in the AL/NL East/West/Central). The next three seeds will go to to the teams that finish in second place in their division. And then the final two seeds will go to the teams with the next best record overall. Here is a snapshot from MLB News writer Anthony Castrovince that shows a breakdown of how the seeding and playoff rounds will work.
Teams like the Padres, Blue Jays, and Twins, are going to try and make a push during these next few weeks to get to the top of their division. For example, the Padres would be a No. 4 seed if the playoffs started right now despite having the second best record in the National League. They are second in the NL West with just 1.5 games behind the LA Dodgers. The Blue Jays trail the Rays in the AL East by just 3.5 games and the Twins trail the White Sox by 2.0 games in the AL Central. It will be interesting over the next few weeks how the seeding will play out.
In this post I connected with some of my best friends from St. Bonaventure who know the game of baseball very well. Sam, Xander, and Brandon played Division 1 baseball for all the years they were at St. Bonaventure. Sam is a Cleveland Indians fan and Xander and Brandon are huge Yankees fans. I asked them a few questions about their thoughts on this season and some of their favorite memories and players growing up. I thought it would be interesting to get some insight on the game from individuals who have played and followed baseball for their entire lives. They are some of the best guys I know. I will be going to them a lot more for insight and analysis on future posts. The questions I asked them are numbered below.
1. What are your thoughts on the season so far? Are you surprised, disappointed, etc?
2. World Series/MVP Predictions
3. Who has been your favorite player(s) to watch this year?
4. What is your favorite baseball moment of all time? (Personal or MLB)
5. Favorite Player of all time and why
Sam
1) I think it makes for an exciting season. It really magnifies how important every game is. I find myself checking the scores more often and making sure I’m staying up-to-date with the standings. I am slightly surprised by some of the teams that weren’t expected to do well, but I think that comes with any season. The only thing I am slightly disappointed about is that whoever wins the World Series this year will also have an asterisk next to their title as a shortened season. It could always go down as a “fluke” championship, especially if that teams success isn’t carried on to the next year(s).
2) Dodgers and A’s. 5 games with the Dodgers winning. I was very tempted for a few teams here because this season has been all about getting hot and on a roll. Right now the White Sox seem unstoppable but I don’t think they can make it last for a World Series run. I also wanted to put the Braves and not be so cliché with putting the Dodgers winning, but the Dodgers are just the best team in baseball. I think the main possibility of them not winning the World Series this year is a major injury. MVPs: I just want to preface this by saying that while I have kept up with scores and standings I have less so kept up with individual players. That being said my predictions are below. AL MVP: Shane Bieber. I may be biased here because I am an Indians fan but let’s be honest, he has had an unbelievable year. If it were not for his amazing pitching, the Indians may not even be in the playoff picture right now. That sounds like an MVP to me. In addition, he has broken multiple records this year. He could be first person to win the AL MVP and the AL Cy Young award since Clayton Kershaw in 2014. NL MVP: Freddie Freeman. I have kept up even less with the NL so this could be way off but Freddie Freeman is a big name who has been putting up great numbers. That, in addition to other players with somewhat better stats than him being on worse teams, really helps his case, especially if he can lead his team to a late post season run.
@braves instagram
3) I’ve always been a fan of Nelson Cruz, so it’s pretty crazy to see the year he is putting together right now at 40 years old. On the other end of the spectrum, I think the most exciting players to watch have definitely been Fernando Tatis Jr (21) and Luis Roberts (23). I love Tatis’ energy and I love watching highlights of Roberts running all the way to left field to snag a fly ball right in front of Jiménez.
4.) 2016 World Series game 7, Rajai Davis homerun to tie the game. I remember running down the hall of my college dorm after he hit the homerun. Nothing happened after that. The game ended in a tie and the season was over, just ask any Cleveland fan. (Sigh, maybe next year again 😪).
5) My favorite player of all time has to be Jim Thome. I remember watching him play when I was growing up. I always loved the way he carried himself and obviously one of the best ever in the game. I just wish he would have stayed with the Indians, but at least he retired as an Indian and went into the Hall of Fame as an Indian. Favorite current player has to be Trout. Guy’s a beast.
Xander
1) I really enjoy seeing how teams have been handling the 60 game COVID season and I’m glad baseball was able to happen even on a small scale this year. I’m a little disappointed that the Yankees haven’t been able to stay healthy but it’s allowed me to watch other teams that have young entertaining talent.
@dodgers instagram
2) Currently, the Dodgers are just far above anybody else, Especially in the NL West, going up with the Padres and Giants in divisional matchups is impressive.
3) I love watching Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna JR, hopefully his injury doesn’t keep him in the IL for too long. I also really enjoy watching the DJ LaMahieu and Gleyber Torres on the Yankees.
4) Derek Jeter’s last at-bat. I remember watching his walk-off single. A textbook inside out swing that he had mastered for 20 years. It was a perfect ending to a Hall of Fame career. Bittersweet.
5) This is a tough question because obviously my bias goes with Derek Jeter. Growing up in New York and being an infielder he was the epitome of class and swagger. If I were to go to my next favorite player I’d have to go with either Robinson Cano or Javier Baez just because they are the best of the best middle infielders.
Brandon
1) I’m glad that there has been a season this year! Gives me something to watch. It’s been a weird year but I think MLB has done a great job making sure the season got played! As a Yankees fan it’s been a tough year with injuries (as always) but hoping we get everyone back healthy for the playoffs! Some would say they are disappointed with the outcome of the season so far. But for the Red Sox, I am not surprised at all. They will be the bottom team in the AL East for the next 2-3 years. They need to get better.
2. World Series Prediction is New York Yankees over the Los Angelas Dodgers. No one will beat the Yankees come October. With a healthy lineup and pitchers there tough to beat. Gerrit Cole... would hate to be a batter against him come October. Imagine having to face Lemahieu, Voit, Judge, Stanton, Torres in a playoff series.... good luck. MVP- Mike Trout. The guy just does It all year in and year out. Deserves to be MVP.
3. Luke Voit. He has been the best player on the Yankees this year and was a sleeper. Tied for the league in homeruns this year and he is fun to watch.
4. My time at Bonaventure I would say is my favorite memory. Not necessarily the baseball aspect but the players that I met and played with made It a great memory. Traveling the country playing baseball with your best friends was a sweet memory I got to have for 2 years.
5. Derek Jeter. Growing up I loved the Yankees and Derek Jeter. He played the game the right way and was very good. One of the best shortstops ever and he always went 110%. Someone to look up to as a young kid.
Here is a link to follow the 2020 Standings!
