Sure, the season ended in heartbreak for A’s, Rangers, Braves, Orioles, Nationals and Reds, but this has to be the most entertaining postseason ever. It’s definitely building off of last year, where there were three Game 5s in the LDS (all decided by one run), two tense LCS series and, well the World Series, which I’m sure everyone remembers.
Baseball is more exciting than ever, and the players are more exciting than ever. Even though the Astros won less games than the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder (and Houston played 162 games, while the Thunder and Heat played less than 90,) it still feels like there isn’t a team that you can roll over every time you face them.
Houston has Jose Altuve and Jed Lowrie in their lineup. The Cubs feature Alfonso Soriano, Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez headline a talented Rockies team, while Felix Hernandez often takes the ball for the Mariners.
There are stars in every game on every team. Yes, it’s more fun to see the Giants play the Dodgers than it is to see the Astros play the Cubs, but there is now something to see in every baseball game. And, the playoffs just reflect how exciting the sport is.
You know how people always talk about their favorite baseball moments? Last year’s World Series or game 162? Crazy home runs from Derek Jeter, Joe Carter, David Ortiz, Kirk Gibson and others? The Angels’ 2002 rally? Luis Gonzalez’ 2001 walk-off? The 2002 A’s and their payroll? Jeter’s flip play in 2001?
All of those moments bring back memories, and some of those moments have already been created this year. They are being produced at a rapid pace now, just adding to the increasing excitement of the sport. Close games and heart-pounding moments are now common, and that’s a good thing.
There will always be those people who just don’t find baseball entertaining. People will think that the game is too slow, that the season is too long, that there are too many meaningless pitches over the course of a game, and more. Unlike football, where there are 16 games each of ample value, one baseball game isn’t as exciting.
Do the math: there are 162 baseball games and 16 football games in a season. That means that one football game is worth over 10 baseball games, and that sometimes draws fans away from baseball. But the reality is that every game matters, and every team gets at least 162 chances to prove their worth.Perfect games and no-hitters are plentiful. Multi-homer games and walk-offs happen a lot. Batting titles, MVPs, Cy Youngs and other awards can be impacted by one game. Great defensive plays can happen at any moment. And, of course, every playoff game and most regular season games impact the playoff race.Everyone should be able to see what baseball has become. It’s no longer a bunch of men just swinging sticks of wood and running around bases. It’s a game where something happens on every pitch, something crazy can happen in every game, and where October is the best it’s ever been.So, for that, we should be grateful, turn on our TVs and watch every pitch of the MLB Playoffs. Because there’s a chance that magic can be happening on every pitch, and every day, baseball magic unfolds right before your fortunate eyes.
