Who would have thought that the last four teams left standing in the MLB would be the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets? No one. This year's Major League Baseball playoffs have been a blast from the past with this cast of normally tumultuous teams. All four of these teams are seeking long-awaited World Series titles. Who will come out on top and make sports history? Let us break down each team and their chances.
New York Mets:
The New York Mets have not made the playoffs in nine years. Surprisingly, they won the National League East this year winning 90 games. They struggled much of the first half of the season but made a marquee move at the trade deadline for right-handed slugger Yoenis Cespedes which vastly improved their average lineup.
The Mets strength is in the arms of their young pitchers: Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and the Dark Knight himself, Matt Harvey. With perennial All-Star David Wright back at third base, the Mets look to thrive behind his fearless leadership. Can the Mets young guns win them their first championship since 1986? They will have to fight off a team who has not won a World Series in MUCH longer...
Chicago Cubs:
You have to feel good for the Cubs who have not won a World Series since 1908 and have not been in the playoffs since 2008. After new manager Joe Maddon was hired, this team went on to win 97 games beating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Wild Card game to get to this point.
This team is stacked with young talent that can hit with the best of them. Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber, and Anthony Rizzo, all under the age of 26, have crushed the ball this postseason and helped the Cubs reach the National League Championship Series. With a pitching staff led by 22 game-winner Jake Arrieta, and former Red Sox legend/ World Series Champion Jon Lester, they can easily compete with the Mets. Behind the bats of Bryant and Rizzo, and the arm of Arrieta, I believe the Cubs will make it to the World Series. But, who will come out of the American League?
Kansas City Royals:
Over the last few years the Royals have been a powerhouse in the American League. After losing in the Fall Classic to the San Francisco Giants, the Royals have put themselves back in contention for their first championship since 1985. The Royals are arguably the most well-rounded team left in the playoffs, and also have the most experience.
Led by a line-up filled with stars such as Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, Lorezno Cain, Kendrys Morales, and Alex Gordon, they will not strikeout too much. Their veteran pitching staff led by Johnny Cueto will keep them in games, and their bullpen is nearly unstoppable with hard-throwers such as Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis. But, will they be able to knock off the team with all of the momentum on their side...
Toronto Blue Jays:
After acquiring ace David Price, and star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki at the trade deadline, the Blue Jays have been the widespread favorite to win the World Series. After winning the American League East for the first time since 1993, they are striving to win their first World Series since that same '93 season. In order to get to the American League Championship Series, they had to beat the Texas Rangers three times in a row, and play in the craziest baseball game I have ever watched. The seventh inning of that game involved a controversial call involving Russell Martin and Shin Soo Choo's bat, three errors from the Rangers, and then the Bat-Flip Heard Round the World by Jose Bautista who blasted a 3-run homer to seal the deal.
This team just has a swagger about them and a mind set that they cannot be beat. Their lineup is stacked with potential American League MVP Josh Donaldson, Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Tulowitzki - all all-stars with unbelievable careers. Their pitching rotation is led by Price, who has struggled, but the real story is young Marcus Stroman. After completely tearing his ACL in spring training, he went back to his alma mater, Duke, rehabbed, and graduated all at the same time. He came back months earlier than expected, and has led this pitching staff with his confidence and charisma. I predict that this team will have "The 6" on its shoulders and win the 2015 World Series.
No matter who wins the Fall Classic it will be historical due considering none of these teams have won in the last 20 years. Keep your eyes glued to the playoffs, because you just might miss a magical moment that fans will remember forever.
