This year was filled with unprecedented events that truly shook the world off its foundation. Even with this crazy year, there were a couple of mainstays that gave people comfort and warmth in a time where that feeling was almost gone. One of those mainstays was the 2020 MLB Division series and this article will highlight all the teams participating, the highlights, lowlights, sweeps, and everything in between.
The New York Yankees lose in the American League Division series to the Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees just lost to a team that has roughly 1/10 the amount of money that they have. Money can’t buy championships, and the Yankees showed this out on the diamond. The Rays wanted it badly, and the Yankees, with all the money in the world, just let them breeze past. They have spent 2.5 billion dollars on player development since 2010, and this is the outcome that they get. Starting pitching was a major issue for the Yankees as the Rays had beat them by the end of the series. If your only good starting pitcher is Gerrit Cole, then you have a serious problem. The pitching decisions bordered on moronic with the pulling of Deivi Garcia in the fifth inning. The hitting core was not the hitting core that made the Yankees playoff contenders. They barely showed up when they were needed and it showed in the final scoreline. Of course, it’s a cherry on top of this problematic sundae with the situation with Aroldis Chapman and Mike Brosseau. One month ago, Chapman tried to beam Brosseau in the head with a 101 mile per hour fastball. Flash forward to game 5 and who is the one who hits a series-winning home run off Chapman? If you guessed Mike Brosseau, then congrats, you have more sense than the Yankees front office. Yankees lose to a small market team, and the rest of the world dances on their grave. Don’t you just love 2020?
Oakland Athletics lose in the American League Division Series to the Houston Astros
Does anyone take this team seriously? They came into this series riding off the highs of sweeping the White Sox and grossly underestimated the talent on the Astros roster. They got hammered by a legit contender, and it shows just how unready they are for the primetime. Once again, it’s the pain of being a small market team going up against big market teams. Very few small market teams can get over this hurdle, and it is clear that the Athletics aren’t at that level just yet. The starting pitching was horrendous and really let the Astros run away with the series. To add to this miserable franchise, their long time GM Billy Beane is now leaving the team to try a new challenge. He is probably leaving to an organization that actually cares enough to give him some more money. Looks like a dark day for the Era of Moneyball.
San Diego Padres lose in the National League Division Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers
I don’t think anyone was that surprised by the outcome. Yes, this team is young and very talented with Tatis and that young hitting core, but that’s also their biggest issue: their youth. Against a team like the Dodgers, the Padres just didn’t have enough experience to be a legitimate threat in this series. Add on to that with the fact that Lamet was still out and Clevinger only back for one inning, the Padres were going to lose and lose badly. I think this was a good learning experience for the Padres and those young players who needed the experience of a true playoff game. If they can keep that level of talent on the diamond, this team will be dangerous in the future.
Miami Marlins lose in the National League Division Series to the Atlanta Braves
I’m honestly surprised they got as far as they did in this postseason. The Marlins are an intriguing team for the future, and they looked interesting enough. Notice how I said “the future” because right now, my God, did they get wrecked by the Braves hitters. The Braves did not take any prisoners and just walloped on the Marlins’ pitching core in a way that made you want to say, “Stop the count, they’re dead. Enough is enough.” The future looks bright if they can develop their young players while the rest of their division implodes; they could have a deep run. It’s interesting, to say the least.
