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.

NL MVP: Harper or Cespedes?

   I was there the day Bryce Harper got his first major league hit. I saw the inside out swing, the way he kept his hands in, and thought to myself, wow. But I never imagined this. Harper has gone on a tear this year, hitting an incredible .339! On top of that, he's leading the National League in home runs (41), runs (117), and batting average (.339), and leading baseball in on base percentage (.470), slugging percentage (.663), and on base plus slugging (1.133). Harper has put the National's offense on his back and boosted them from last to second place. However, as impressive as it is, Harper shouldn't be the MVP. Most Valuable Player. There is another candidate, who isn't having as good a season as Harper, is still more valuable.
    Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets outfielder, has kick started an otherwise desolate offense, boosting the Mets, who don't have as good pitching as Harper's Nationals, above them into first place. In the two months that Cespedes has been a Met, he has hit .294, with 17 home runs and 44 RBI's. Although Cespedes' stats aren't as good as Harper's, you have to think of how valuable Cespedes is to the Mets. In May and June, the Mets were 13-15, and 12-15. After Cespedes became a Met, in August and September, the Mets 20-8, and 15-9 (September's not over yet).
    You can make a case for either of the two stars. All that matters is what you think. I know what I think. Do you?

Kershaw vs. Greinke

     Until July, Zack Greinke was the ace of the Dodgers, and the clear Cy Young winner.

     After 2014's unheard of numbers, everybody expected big things out of the left handed ace of the Dodgers known as Clayton Kershaw. However, things did not go as planned in the early weeks of the season for Kershaw. In April he had an ERA of 3.73, and May (3.97 ERA) he settled down in June, posting a 2.16 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched, and then having a major month of July, with an incredible 0.27 ERA in 33 innings. On top of that, Kershaw has the 2015 strikeout lead, with an incredible 11.42 k/9. Kershaw pitches  tonight, gunning for his 15th win, which would put him in contention for the Cy Young award, which would be his third in a row. 
     1.63. 1.63! An incredible ERA. Zack Greinke may not strike out as many people as his team mate Clayton Kershaw, but he allows less runs than him. Zack Greinke was the clear cut Cy Young for most of the year, until a bad outing in June brought his ERA up from the 1.3's to the 1.6's. Regardless, Greinke has one of the best records in baseball, 18-3, all while consistently going 7 or 8 innings, rarely giving up more than one run.
    So the question is, who's the Cy Young? From a consistency, wins, and ERA standpoint, you have to give to Greinke. But if you look at the past three months, ever since June, Kershaw has had an ERA of under 1.2, along with the strikeout lead. From a dominance standpoint, you have to give it to Kershaw. Who do you think should be the Cy Young. I certainly know who I think it should be.

Donaldson for MVP

   This past offseason, the now laughable trade of Josh Donaldson being sent to Toronto for Brett Lawrie , Kendall Graveman, Sean Nolin, and Franklyn Barreto getting moved to the A's seamed reasonable for Billy Beane. In hindsight, this was not the smartest of moves, as Donaldson's 108 runs and 115 RBI's spot him number one in baseball... and an MVP candidate. Donaldson, along with other new additions such as David Price and Troy Tulowitzki, and returning stars Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, have taken the Blue Jays from third place to first place.

   Donaldson is starting to be seen as the leading AL MVP Candidate, for good reason. Aside from leading baseball in runs and RBI’s, he third in the American League in home runs, fourth in hits, second in slugging, and first in total bases. The only player who boasts similar numbers is Nolan Arenado, who is on the last place Colorado Rockies in the National League. While some people would argue that Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) has provided more support for an otherwise half formed Angels lineup (Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun provide much needed support), if the Angels fail to make the playoffs, then Trout will not be a valuable as Donaldson in making a playoff run at the World Series. Think about that.