East and West. New York, Tampa, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Oakland, San Diego, and Los Angeles. No Central team. I look at the choking, past experiences, and no experience from the teams that exited from the playoffs.
Life hasn't been good for the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs. Since the 2016 World Series in which the Cubs won for the first time since 1908, both have struggled since. A run by the Indians after a 2-0 lead in the 2017 ALDS was ended by the New York Yankees coming back and eliminating them. They got swept in 2018 by the Houston Astros and swept this week by the Yankees. Maybe not playing them hurt, but when you have a Cy Young caliber of a pitcher in Shane Bieber, this should be a no doubter you hope to win against a shaky Yankee team. And from what I listened to, one of the great bullpens. Some of the batters struggled overall against an otherwise good Yankee bullpen despite their struggles in Game 2. Should not have gotten rid of Gio Urshela.
The Cubs did not lose in blow outs. They had a chance in Game 1. Pitching did its best, but those bats went cold. Not facing Miami probably was a factor. David Ross' approach to managing will be questioned I would think. Some of the players they have. I don't know. There's a lot at stake for the players, the staff. Even the front office. Looking at the Minnesota Twins, they didn't lose in blow outs either. Bats went cold and the pitching did its best but blew it late in the games. I think there's a mental issue and psychological issue considering they have lost 18 postseason games in a row. Thirteen of them to the Yankees, two to Houston, and three to Oakland. It must toy with them as time goes on. They had a chance in 2017 and pitching let them down. I don't know how much more the fanbase can stomach getting in and losing. Minnesota sports in general, too. The closest was the Vikings a few years ago and getting blown out in the NFC Championship game.
Whatever momentum the St. Louis Cardinals had, they blew it. Blowing a huge lead to San Diego when you're on the cusp of advancing. It's going to be huge disappointment. They still got a few more years left though with this group of players. However, considering how good the Padres have been this year, they faced adversity throughout the year. And nothing seemed to click for Milwaukee. You're facing the Dodgers, who may be the best team in baseball this year. Not good enough with the bats. As with other teams eliminated, the pitching tried its best.
You can't complain too much with the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds. The best I could say for those teams is to learn from your inexperience. Let the postseason soak in and hope to fix any problems to get back in next year. Cincinnati fought hard against Atlanta and the pitching in Game 1 was through the roof. There's some positives despite the elimination.
It's shaping up to be quite a playoff series when things begin this week.
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