The Top Five World Series Games of all Time

   I know, normally I talk about the Major Leagues as of 2015. But with the World Series approaching, I thought it would be fun to remember all of the greatest individual contests of the Fall Classic. So, without further ado:
                                      THE TOP FIVE WORLD SERIES GAMES
 5. Game Five, 1956
   The team with the most championships than any team in sports, the Yankees, had lost for the first time, to the Dodgers. Don Larson, the equivalent of a number five starter, was handed the ball in game five. In an unbelievable turn of events, Larson went on to throw a perfect game, the only one in postseason history.

4. Game Seven, 1960
  Another underdog, the Pirates, was again facing the Yankees. Despite being outscored more than 2-1 in games 1-6, the Bucks were still in it. In the bottom of the ninth, tied 9-9, Bill Mazeroski, hit a walk off home run, one of two all time to end a World Series.

3. Game Seven, 1991
  Jack Morris, on the tail end of his career, was still the guy on the Twins. For the Braves, John Smoltz, who idolized Morris, was starting. Through eight, the game was scoreless, but the Braves had the bases loaded, but Morris stayed out there, and got his double play. Smoltz came out after eight, but Morris pitched all ten innings, and the Twins wound up winning 1-0.

2. Game Six, 2011
  The Cardinals, in all their 21st century winning glory, were about to lose to the Rangers, who hadn't won a Fall Classic in franchise history. Down to their last strike, David Freese, the series MVP, hit a double the other way to tie the game up again. One inning later, down to their last strike, Lance Berkman hit a single to again tie it up again. Another inning later, David Freese hit a walk off round tripper to end it.

1. Game 6, 1975
 The best game from what is often considered the best World Series, this game featured the cursed Red Sox. The Reds gained an early advantage from Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. But the Sox came roaring back with a game tying, three run jack by Bernie Carpoll. In the twelfth, Hall of Famer led off with a walk off dinger, giving the Red Sox the game. Though the Red Sox officially lost, many true fans believe that the Red Sox won the World Series, 3 games to 4.  

The Cubs in the Postseason - Did Back to the Future Know Something We Didn't?

    So you're asking, what does Back to the Future have to do with baseball? Well, this year is the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the movie, and in it, there was a brief scene where they showed the Cubs, who haven't won the World Series since 1908, winning it all. Weird, right? The Cubs haven't exactly been flirting with the postseason much since 1985, and yet, this postseason, the Cubs are in the NLCS for the first time since 2003, when they were one out away when a fan swooped in and knocked the ball away from Moises Alou, ruining the Cubs chance to go to the World Series for the first time since 1948.
    Now, though, the Cubs have a very good chance against the Mets, having more experienced pitching, with a staff of aces John Lester, Jason Hammel, and future NL Cy Young Jake Arrieta (for reasons why Arrieta is the Cy Young, see my last post). Also, despite the Mets having Yoenis Cespedes, David Wright, and surging Daniel Murphy, the Cubs can easily swing with the Mets, boasting Anthony Rizzo, NL Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant, and Starlin Castro. Also, Joe Madden, the manger who revitalized the Cubs, is proving his initiative at the helm of the North-Siders. Squeezes, delayed steals and Pepperdine plays (runners in first and third, runner on third steals, hitter push bunts) are being seen commonly.
   If the Cubs beat the Mets, than they will come face to face with the young-gun Royals, who have an outstanding bullpen, or the powerhouse Blue Jays, who, if they get there, will win the World Series (see my previous post). All in all, everybody will be satisfied.  All of the teams in the playoffs are relatively new to it, and nobody left has won since 1993.

Arrieta's Dominance: Enough to Beat out Zack Greinke for the Cy Young?

   A month ago, Zack Greinke was the obvious NL Cy Young. That has quite obviously changed. As much as I don't want to admit it, being a Dodgers fan, but Jake Arrieta's run of brilliance has out shined Greinke's dominant year. Arrieta, five days ago pitching a shutout in the NL wild card game to boost the upstart underdog Cubs into the official postseason, worked his way up from the three starter in the beginning of the year, to the number two starter, past John Lester, who the Cubs specifically went out and picked up as the big free agent signing of the off season to be their ace. But Arrieta didn't stop there. He kept winning, going 5-0 in his last six starts, in his last 46 innings, giving up only 22 hits. Arrieta finished 2015 first in wins (22), and second in ERA, (1.77) a whole half a run lower than Clayton Kershaw, who was in third.
    But enough about stats. Stats are for uptight broadcasters trying to sound smart and superior in baseball to the casual fan, when in reality they either want to give a desperate hope to a team that they know is done but would be good for the ratings if they stayed won, or when they have nothing to talk about. Two blogs ago, I made a case for Yoenis Cespedes being the MVP of the NL even though he didn't have nearly as good a year as Bryce Harper. But he was more valuable, sparking the Mets' offense and boosting them over the Nationals. Cespedes was more valuable to the Mets. The same, or reverse is true for Arrieta. John Lester had a good year, bordering on great, but nowhere near the six year $155 million ace the Cubs were looking for. Then Arrieta stepped up, picking the Cubs' pitching staff up from the bottom and somehow holding it all together until the playoffs. Arrieta was the Cubs' pitching, at least at the end of the year.
    Now look at Zack Greinke. He has the numbers, dominance, everything, but he's not even the ace of his own staff. Kershaw is. Greinke can be as good as it gets, but as long as he isn't the guy on his team, he can never beat out someone as good as Arrieta.   

Blue Jays Incredible Run

   The Toronto Blue Jays, like all the AL division winners, have come out of nowhere. After starting the year with a 12-15 April, fourth in the AL East, the Jays have fought back and are now the best team in all of the American League. Sitting a cool 93-68, the Blue Jays clinched on Wednesday, September 30. This is mainly due to their incredible offense, which boasts many well known all-stars such as Troy Tulowitzki, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, and probable MVP Josh Donaldson. Along with speedster Kevin Pillar, the Jays managed to knock out the powerful Yankees and even fly ahead of the Royals, who won the pennant last year.
   All this is well and good, but the time where the Blue Jays beat everyone in baseball was at the trade deadline. The Jays got all-star and ace David Price, filling in the once thought weakness of their pitching. Then they got Troy Tulowitzki, the best shortstop in baseball, and a good lead off man. However, Tulo has been hurt, but Josh Donaldson, the hottest hitter in baseball, has more than stepped up in his place. Donaldson has 182 hits, 122 runs, 123 RBI's, 41 home runs, 73 walks, and a .298 batting average. Donaldson and former home run champion Jose Bautista both have over 100 runs and RBI's.
   Now wait. You can have a good offense, but you won't get anywhere in the postseason without pitching. This used to be in question. I mean, Mark Buehrle is a great pitcher, but with a 3.82 ERA, it's not the kind of dominance you expect from an ace. But look at David Price. Price was picked up at the deadline, and since has posted 2.3 ERA with an incredible 9-1 record. On top of that, closer Roberto Osuna has been great. With 20 saves and a 2.58 ERA, it's kind of hard to argue with the hard throwing right hander.
  Those are simply the numbers. If you look at the Blue Jays, you see that they never look like they're out of a game. They keep playing. And they win. I think they'll win the World Series. Mark my words.