![]() ![]() And led by Tim Anderson, 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu and an excellent rotation, the Chicago White Sox looked to be a threat. The Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa era is going strong but may be nearing its end with the All-Star shortstop's impending free agency. The Houston Astros, meanwhile, are back in the postseason for the fifth straight season and the sixth time in seven years. They were still unable to replicate last year's run, as the Red Sox eliminated them in four games in the Division Series. But the Rays have become one of the best-run franchises in baseball, if not all of professional sports. Career years from Brandon Lowe, Randy Arozarena and Mike Zunino helped. Not bad for a team with the fifth-lowest payroll in baseball. The favorites, however, figured to be the Tampa Bay Rays, who were looking to return to the World Series after coming up short against the Dodgers last season. More than a few folks at MLB headquarters were salivating over the potential ratings for that showdown. Ultimately, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees got in, setting the stage for a wild-card matchup between two bitter rivals. In the American League, the drama was high in the wild-card chase, coming down to the final day of the season. 6 and is now the World Series champions after eliminating Milwaukee, Los Angeles and Houston. Not bad for a team that wasn't even above. and a number of other injuries to win their fourth straight NL East title. The Braves have been a model of resiliency, overcoming a season-ending injury to superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. Still, that wasn't enough to beat the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series. The Milwaukee Brewers were basically in cruise control since mid-September as a major threat, with a super rotation, bullpen maestro Josh Hader and a lineup built around Luis Urias and Avisail Garcia. Of course, the rest of the field in the National League wouldn't be impressed by the two NL West powers. The Dodgers got the last laugh, though, and defeated the Giants in the Division Series. But most pundits would have expected the San Diego Padres, not the Giants, to have joined the Dodgers come October. ![]() At the start of the season, the idea that two teams would reach the playoffs from the NL West wouldn't have been a shock. ![]()
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