This postseason has been a wild ride so far, but for some teams more than others. Every team has something to prove this postseason. There are currently seven teams left in the 2015 playoffs, and none of them seem to be backing down. But out of these teams come four major story lines. The Mets, Cubs, Astros, and Royals have the most to prove this offseason, and each of them will do everything in their power to achieve their goal. There is a strong possibility that three of these teams will be playing in a League Championship Series come later this week.
Mets: This is the first time since 2006 that the Mets have been to playoffs, and the first time ever at Citi Field. So far, there has been very little to complain about other than the Chase Utley “slide” (notice the air quotes). But what does this postseason mean for the Mets? For starters, it may be the last time the Mets will have Daniel Murphy, Bartolo Colon, and most importantly Yoenis Cespedes on their roster. Next year, the Mets may look like an extremely different team! Whether it is for better or worse, the Mets have a lot to get done this year. Also, the jobs of Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson may be on the line, because this is the first time the team is in the postseason under their reign. The Mets also have not won the World Series in nearly 30 years, and have not won a World Series game in the past 15 years.
Cubs: The Cubs may have more to play for than anybody in this postseason. The Cubs are historically a bad franchise, and that is being nice about it! However, 2015 has been a great year for the Cubs, with Joe Maddon in his first year as manager for the ball club. Chicago’s Lovable Losers will be playing this season to try and erase the Curse of the Billy Goat, and if there was ever a team to do so, it is certainly the 2015 Cubs. Wrigley Field has only ever held one baseball championship victor, and that was the Chicago Federals…not even the Cubs. In fact, the Cubs have never played a World Series game at Wrigley, so they owe a championship to their fans, their city, and their ballpark!
Astros: The Houston Astros were not supposed to be anywhere close to the postseason in 2015. They have been historically bad in recent years, and they were not supposed to be contenders until 2016. But under a new manager, the Astros turned down the noise, and turned on their own. Instead of people talking about how bad they are, people began to talk about how far they may go this postseason. Despite struggles in the second half, the Astros never lost sight of their postseason goal, and got in as the second Wild Card team. They beat the Yankees, and are one win away from beating the Royals. Although some may say their goal was just getting to the postseason, they really have to win the World Series this year. The organization has never won a World Series, and has only played there once, when they lost to the White Sox in 2005. The Astros are playing to win it all, and behind Dallas Keuchel, there is no reason they cannot accomplish that goal.
Royals: The Kansas City Royals surprised the baseball world by going all the way to Game 7 of the World Series in 2014, and this season went into the playoffs with the best record in the American League. So it does not seem like the Royals should have really anything to prove…right? Wrong. The Royals must win the World Series in order to call this season a success. They came within 90 feet of tying up Game 7 last year, and many fans have still not forgiven the ball club. Therefore, it is vital that the team wins the World Series in order to clear the noise from 2014.
Nothing against the other teams left in the postseason, but they do not have as much to prove as Mets, Cubs, Astros, or Royals. The next closest storyline would be the Blue Jays because they have not played in a World Series game since the mid-90’s, but these four ball clubs have much more to play for. This may be a Mets website, but as a fan of baseball, I would like to wish all of the remaining teams good luck. But hopefully the Mets end up on top in the end!
I think that a Mets vs Cubs playoff would be unreal. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we pull out all the arms for tomorrow’s winner-take-all finale with the Dodgers. Let’s hope we can score a few runs off of Grienke.
In my opinion, the Mets have absolutely nothing to prove. They’ve already proven that they can make it to the postseason with a solid offense. I hope for, and expect, a deeper run in the playoffs. However, Alderson is the one under pressure this offseason to get this lineup a boost if Cespedes departs.
I don’t really understand the “something to prove” angle, but I am very happy with the Blue Jays and Royals in it from the AL. I just don’t feel it with the Rangers and it is no great sorrow for the young Astros to fall short. The Cubs over the Cards, that’s easy; and Mets would round off that group beautifully.
That would be as awesome a four team group as I’ve seen in a long, long time. I actually like them all.