Well, folks, it’s finally here. The baseball season has ended, award votes have been cast, and the playoffs are about to begin. The Astros and Phillies both made last-second runs at the postseason, but came up just short. The Dodgers put the pressure on the Padres to win their last game of the season, and San Diego responded by winning the game, and tying for the lead in the West. The Padres get the pennant on the basis of the tie-breaker, defeating the Dodgers in 13 of 18 meetings, a stat that might be worth remembering if they both win their opening round matches. Also, the last team to take the Wild Card on the basis of a tie in standings, but a loss of the tie-breaker, was the ’04 Red Sox who beat the Yankees in seven, and swept the Cardinals in the Series.
On the American League side, the Twins captured the AL Central pennant on the last day of the season, and will face the playoff-pitiful Oakland A’s. Detroit, by reason of losing the Central pennant will have to face the mighty Yankees. One way or another, it should be an interesting couple of weeks. I, personally, have a busy schedule planned for the next three weeks- three games on Tuesday, three more games on Wednesday, two on Thursday… I might have to buy new couch cushions by the end of October.
On a different note, this is the last MLB Power Rankings article of the season, and I’d like to thank everybody who’s read the articles, and the people who have made comments. Enjoy the rankings, and a first round playoff preview, and as always, questions, comments, and complaints, are welcomed.