Race for the Pennant

MLB Playoffs

Photo by Chris Kim / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

October baseball is in full swing, and these energetic fan favorite playoff games leave a lasting impact on the franchise. Four teams have a chance to be the World Champion, but only one can prevail. Monster home runs, diving catches and the last out of the World Series are soon to come as the best four teams in baseball headline the MLB playoffs. 

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

The sixth seeded Arizona Diamondbacks face off against the fourth seeded Philadelphia Phillies in a battle for the pennant. The Diamondbacks fought until the last regular season game to just make the postseason. They were one game away from missing the playoffs and ending their season. However, once they made the playoffs, they faced the third seeded Brewers and second seeded Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks shocked both teams and found themselves unexpectedly playing the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League pennant. The Phillies are led by the 2021 MVP, Bryce Harper, and while Philadelphia had a slow start to the season, they pulled themselves together at just the right time. The Phillies crushed the Miami Marlins in the Wild Card, outscoring them 12-2 in two games, and did not slow down when they faced the regular season champions, the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies dominated the Braves in every aspect: pitching, hitting, fielding and coaching. Both teams came into the matchup hot, but only one can advance to the World Series.

Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros

The AL Championship Series matchup has turned many heads as for the first time in 15 years, two teams from the same division will face off against each other in the ALCS. For the seventh straight year, the Houston Astros will appear in the ALCS, but for the Texas Rangers, this is their first appearance since 2011. The Astros and Rangers both finished the regular season with the same record, 90-72. Nonetheless, the Astros won the tiebreaker as they won more head-to-head matchups. The Rangers have yet to lose a playoff game as they have breezed through their first two rounds against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles. The Astros did not have any trouble in their game as they crushed the Minnesota Twins. 

The Astros are favored to win the World Series; however, October baseball is filled with extraordinary games and moments that can define a team for years.