Pretty huge disappointment for the Nats not to make it to the NLCS after the season they had. I blame their veterans more than anyone. Particularly Werth and LaRoche. Those dudes just didn't show up. The story of the series was the Giants has-been starters basically matching the Nationals in-their-prime pitchers step for step. They have some sort of good playoff mojo going on there. I don't know if it's the manager or some subtle team make-up or what. Anyway, no reason the Nats shouldn't be back next year. Doesn't appear that anyone in their division is ready to challenge them yet. Feeling especially encouraged about the series Harper had after a disappointing, injury-filled 2014. Go Royals, I guess.
For the Nats-Giants series, I think it comes down to: (1) Nats hitters getting the yips, a bit, while the Giants pitchers were comfortable and confident; (2) Bochy completely owning Matt Williams. If "playoff experience" is really a tangible thing, the Giants have mounds of it, and it really does seem to help them stay cool in long, tense games. I am a Giants fan, but I am absolutely shocked that this happened. No Matt Cain, no Morse, no Pagan in the lineup, and the NLCS? Are you kidding me? This is a season held together with gum and duct tape for them. I do feel bad for the Nats, who were more deserving but just didn't show up when they needed to most.
The Braves could always bounce back. They have the pitching when healthy, and they've already cut bait with one dead weight (Uggla) and just need to do the same with another (BJ).
The "walk off bunt" was so classic for the SF Giants yesterday, but it was indeed a great bunt. Felt terrible for the Cardinals pitcher. That series is so far from over though. They'll be headed back to St. Louis at some point.
ROYALS SWEEP! Kansas City is going to the World Series!!! Congrats to KC. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Royals are headed to the World Series. Here's how it happened. <a href="https://t.co/ZZ3y2OXVEo">https://t.co/ZZ3y2OXVEo</a></p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/522523533633945600">October 15, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
What were the Royals odds to win the WS at the start of the year? This team just came out of nowhere to inexplicable sweep both series against some good regular season teams.
Its why the baseball playoffs are so great... its a whole-nother sport, and the 162 game averages go out the window in 5 and 7 game series.
I love lots of homeruns just as much as the next guy but it's fun to see a team like the Royals get to the WS with an elite bullpen, good starting pitching, elite defense, and aggressive baserunning. They're a throwback team.
As I was saying...Giants and Royals. Don't think of the Giants as a 'dynasty' but on the verge of their 3rd WS appearance in the last 5 years.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24753853/the-utter-dominance-of-wade-davis Fair enough: Let's stick to this year. Davis' 2014, once you adjust his workload to reflect the norms of his era, is perhaps one of the 25 or so greatest relief seasons in history. Opinions will vary on the precise ranking, but the thoroughgoing brilliance of what Davis has done in his first season out of the bullpen is unassailable. If there are another four wins left in the 2014 Royals, then Davis will surely play a role in them. They really can't do it any other way.
Who won the stupid all-star game again? Who will get to host? I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but the Cards look pretty dispirited. ... *But* if they beat Bum tomorrow and take the series back to St. Louis, they definitely have a shot.
What an epic way to win the pennant... Giants with 3 WS in 5 years... first one as a wild card. No baseball till Tuesday...
