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It took one more day of the regular season and the usual wild card games, but the division series of Major League Baseball has finally arrived. The National League is in first place Thursday with two first-game games, but the most interesting matches will be held in the American League.
The difference between the leagues is striking: the Yankees have won 100 games and still have not won the American League of the East. But in the National League, no team has reached the threshold of the century. It took only 90 victories for the Atlanta Braves to win the weak N.L. East. Any other year, clashes between the Houston Astros and the Cleveland Indians or the Yankees and Boston Red Sox would be enough for a series of A.L. satisfactory championships.
Having the best record of the regular season is often a curse, as it has often had little significance in the playoffs. But last year, the Los Angeles Astros and Dodgers competed in the World Series in a team showdown with two of the top three records of the regular season. The year before, the Chicago Cubs had the best record and ended their 108 years of drought against the World Series.
This fall, could it mean a world series of Red Sox-Milwaukee Brewers?
We will see. Baseball is hard to predict. The managerial orthodoxy used during the 162-game season is rejected. The starting pitchers leave the enclosure. Stubborn players have less room to maneuver in a five-game series. Strategy and urgency are paramount.
Of the eight remaining teams, the Colorado Rockies, which has been in existence since 1995, participated in a world series in 2007 and did not win. The Brewers' only visit to the World Series took place in 1982, when they were in the American League and lost to the Cardinals of St. Louis.
The Indians lost to the Cubs seven times in the exciting World Series 2016. Their last championship was in 1948. Since then, all remaining teams in this year's playoffs have won the World Series at least once.
American League Division
Yankees (100-62) against the Boston Red Sox (108-54)
The reasons why the Red Sox set a franchise record with 108 wins are obvious: they have the most powerful baseball offensive, a strong starting rotation, a powerful goalkeeper and a strong defensive game, particularly exceptional in outside field. The designated hitter J.D. Martinez (1.031 on the base plus the slugging percentage) may be the team's most valuable player, but the right defensive player Mookie Betts (1.078 O.P.S.) could win the A.L. Most Valuable Player Award.
Despite so much success in the regular season, the Red Sox are facing questions. Chris Sale, their big starting pitcher, came back from a shoulder injury at the end of the season, but saw his speed drop alarmingly in his last start before the playoffs. David Price has undefeated demons in the playoffs. The pen has regressed in the second half. Few embossers proved to be a reliable bridge between the starting pitcher and the closest Craig Kimbrel (42 stops).
With the Red Sox and Yankees facing each other in the playoffs for the first time since 2004, count on this series another memorable shock of heavyweights. In 19 games of the regular season, the Yankees have inflicted nine defeats on the Red Sox. With the right field player Aaron Judge in shape after a wrist injury, the Yankees' offense is just as powerful. The ballpoint pens are even bigger in October and the Yankees have shown a willingness to rely heavily on their starry pen, which includes Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman, Zach Britton and David Robertson. That could be the difference in this highly anticipated match.
TO CHOOSE: The Yankees
Cleveland Indians (91-71) vs. Houston Astros (103-59)
Just like the match of the Red Sox and the Yankees, it is unsatisfactory that this match takes place in division. The Astros are the reigning World Series champions and have returned to the base with the same team (but with more pitching talent). In the regular season, they scored 263 points more than their opponents, which was the best differential in the majors and is traditionally a powerful indicator of a team's talent.
With the off-season acquisition of Gerrit Cole (2.88 E.R.A.) completing Justin Verlander (2.52 E.R.A.), Dallas Keuchel (3.74 E.R.A.) and others, the Astros got the best rotation. E.R.A. at baseball. With the addition of Hector Rondon and Roberto Osuna, whose exchanges in July in Houston have provoked criticism In the spousal abuse case pending, the Astros office also released the best result from E.R.A. The injuries have slowed several stars – second baseman Jose Altuve, the short stop Carlos Correa and field player George Springer – but they are all back for the playoffs.
The series will feature some of the best baseball players, from Houston's third baseman Alex Bregman (31 homers and 103 RBIs) to Cleveland player Jose Ramirez (39 strokes and 105 RBI) and the short stoppage Francisco Lindor (38 shots and 92 RBI). Cleveland's Achilles' heel, his pen, has improved in the second half, but the Astros are still holding up, and almost everywhere else.
TO CHOOSE: Astros
Division of the National League
Colorado Rockies (91-72) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (96-67)
Based on advanced measurements, the pitchers' sticks were virtually identical, which is hard to believe given the well-known challenges of launching in Denver. But through trade, international signatures and drafts, the Rockies built a rotation around Kyle Freeland and German Marquez, which provided the third highest number of regular season heats. The Brewers, on the other hand, massaged just enough out of their rotation after the wounds and often turned to a dazzling peninsula led by Jeremy Jeffress, Corey Knebel and Josh Hader (batting .132 average).
The Rockies, who recovered from a defeat of match 163 at to win N.L. Wild Card, intriguing because they are led by a powerful left limb: Trevor Story (37) and third baseman, Nolan Arenado (38) and one of the best baseball players -the Brewers players, however, are deeper.
Their offensive is led by fighter Christian Yelich (36 races and 110 R.B.I.), who nearly won the triple crown and is a favorite to win the N.L. Price of the most valuable player. Jesus Aguilar (35 homers), field player Travis Shaw (32 homers), left-field player Ryan Braun (20 homers) and center Lorenzo Cain (average .308).
A stellar pen, sufficient rotation and a composition that can mark many different ways can make the Brewers too rounded to stop.
TO CHOOSE: Brewers
Atlanta Braves (90-72) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (92-71)
The Dodgers are a known product: they have won six consecutive N.L. victories. West and hopes to win his first World Series title since 1988 after losing seven games against the Astros last year. These brave are not. After a revision of the composition and a reconstruction, they are back in series for the first time since 2013.
The Braves have youth: player Ronald Acuña Jr. (26 races), second baseman Ozzie Albies, third baseman Johan Camargo, first baseman Freddie Freeman (.892 OPS), starting pitchers Mike Foltynewicz (2.85 ERA) and Julio Teheran, thrower Arodys Vizcaino and Jesse Biddle (batting average .218) are all 29 years old or younger. They also have a handful of experienced players, from right field player Nick Markakis to starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez, and one of the best defenses in baseball.
The Dodgers are more subject to playoffs, but they come in one way or another in October as an underperforming team that had the best points differential of N.L. (+194) but necessary a 163 game to claim division. Their line-up may be more balanced (seven players scored at least 20 circuits, not counting the Manny Machado acquisition) and their ball-thrower staff (Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-jin Ryu and Walker Buehler scored ERAs under 3.00 despite injuries). But there is something in the Braves' energy that could prove ripe for annoyance.
TO CHOOSE: Braves.
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