Taking turns towards the World Series:

Background, Highlights, and Predictions for the ALDS and NLDS

For generations, the game of baseball has remained one of America’s greatest pastimes; and over the years its popularity has expanded magnificently, making baseball one of the most preferred sports, and continuously increasing its fame across the nation, day by day. Now it’s that time of year once again, Playoff time, when people can come together through team bonding and spirit, and be reminded of the great memories a single sport can produce.

Each year, teams from both the American League and National League compete for a spot in the playoffs. Within each conference, there are three divisional champs and 2 Wild card teams, with the next best records. Ultimately, one team from either league will eventually face-off in a 7- game World Series competition (divisional competitions are best of 5 games, and conference competitions are the best of 7 games) for the win.

In the 2017 Wild Card games, the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins (American League), and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies (National League), were given a single game, and a major opportunity, to fight for a spot in the final playoffs and advance the team. On October 3^rd, the Yankees came out on top, defeating the Twins with a final score of 8-4 and scoring them a spot in the American League conference. The Arizona Diamondbacks also went head to head with the Colorado Rockies the following day, winning 11-8 and placing themselves in the next rounds for the National League conference.

On the 3^rd of October, the four American League teams were the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and the New York Yankees.  On the 4^th, the National League had also been decided: the Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Wild Card win as the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In the first rounds of the playoffs, the New York Yankees battle back from a 2-game deficit to defeat the Cleveland Indians, where they then prepared to face the Houston Astros in the second round of the ALDS. Despite the fight from the Nationals, the Chicago Cubs persevered to defend their World Series Champion title, and went on to face the Dodgers, currently the best team in the 2017 regular season.

In the NLDS, the Dodgers’ reigning bullpen has posed many challenges for both the Diamondbacks and now the Cubs, who struggle to hit pitcher Rich Hill. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Justin Turner rocked a 3-run homer to win the game and put Los Angeles at a 2-0 lead. In the ALDS, Didi Gregorious and Aaron Judge shook the stadium with several homers and winning runs in clutch situations. The Yankees have tied the Conference competition 2-2 with the Astros, keeping viewers and fans on the end of their seat.

Timber Creek Senior, Sydney Socarras, is a huge Yankees fan. Specifically, she enjoys watching Aaron Judge play ball because they have the same position and she seeks to  reach his level of play. “I’m really happy with how far the Yankees are going this year,” Socarras said, “even if they get knocked out it’s all about how they are slowly rebuilding the team with a new young core.” Socarras states that she is excited to see how the playoffs work themselves out and will be sure to keep up with each game.

With Clayton Kershall pitching for the Dodgers, the odds of the Cubs defeat are quite high, although Chicago did manage to retaliate the year prior and defeat Los Angeles to head to the World Series. With Chapman on the mound, early predictions are being made for the Yankees to overcome the Astros and their struggling bullpen. 12 grader Cristian Aviles, also a Yankees fan, says despite whether or not New York makes it to the finals, he really just wants to see a “hard played World Series, regardless of the outcome.”