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Complete 2016 MLB Playoffs Picture

After an exhilarating 2,429 games (thanks to a rain out that won’t be required to be played) we’re finally ready for the 2016 MLB Playoffs. Although the final day of the 2016 MLB season wasn’t quite as enthralling as a few of the seasons in recent years, there were still three spots left for grab and a dizzying number of scenarios that impacted home field advantages.

We’ve got some usual faces in the crowd, but also some new kids on the block.

As opposed to typing each out individually, the formula for the MLB postseason is simple: The Wild Card games are a one-game, winner take all affair. The winner will then hit the road to take the top seed of the division. The Division Series matchups are a best of five contest, with the top seed hosting the first two, and fifth game as needed. Division Series winners will clash in the Championship Series, which reverts to a seven-game 2-3-2 format. The World Series will be hosted by the eventual AL Champion, and follows the 2-3-2 format. The full 2016 MLB Playoffs schedule can be found here.

American League

Wild Card Matchup

Toronto Blue Jays (89-73) vs Baltimore Orioles (89-73)

The American League East will send three teams to the postseason, matching the NL Central from a season ago. While the Blue Jays will be happy to host this series, looking back on September, they likely will feel one slipped through their fingers. They went just 11-16 in the final month of play, only salvaging their season, perhaps, by taking two of three from the Red Sox on the road to wrap it up. For what it’s worth, the Jays are undefeated in October.

Baltimore will likely be the red-headed step child of this postseason, as many are already setting up their DVRs for a potential Blue Jays vs Rangers ALDS. But they’re not to be written off.

While nothing has been announced as both clubs fought for their playoff berth Sunday, the likely pitching matchup points towards Marcus Stroman (9-10, 4.37 ERA) and Chris Tillman (16-6, 3.77 ERA) facing off.

The two will take the field Tuesday, October 4 at Rodgers Centre.

 

Texas Rangers (95-67) vs Wild Card Winner

After having some competition down the stretch looming, the Rangers spent the final days of the season comfortably in possession of the top seed. Thanks to an AL All-Star win, they’re looking at home field throughout, which is an advantage that must be like sweet jazz for a team that’s been 53-28 at home this season.

A nasty rematch of last season’s ALDS matchup with the Jays looms. The two fought a spirited bout that ultimately saw the Jays waltz into the ALCS. The newly bred rivalry was alive and well this season, as who could possibly forget when Rougned Odor and Jose Bautista got into a scuffle earlier in the season, in coincidentally, what was the last time the two met.

 

Cleveland Indians (94-67) vs Boston Red Sox (93-69)

Despite going 19-10 in the final month of play, including a stretch of 11 straight wins, the Boston Red Sox failed to grab hold of the top seed for more than a matter of days. Losing five of their final six, the Sox even failed to retain home field advantage for this matchup. Losing to the Jays Sunday, they prevented the Indians from having to play their 162nd game of the year, making up a rain canceled matchup with the Tigers from Thursday. Going on the road shouldn’t be too daunting, though, as the Red Sox were a fiery 46-35 on the road this season. The regular season David Ortiz finale was a let down, and there’s not doubt this club wants to send a once in a generation talent into retirement with another ring.

It’s been a little bit of everything from the Indians this season, as they’ve overcome injuries, scandal, and constantly being left out of the discussion for all the great things that happened this season. They took their first AL Central title since 2007, and are going to be nothing to roll over against.

These two clubs represent the top two offenses in the AL, and the pitching showdowns won’t let down either.

Boston has announced they intend to send Cy Young candidate Rick Porcello (22-4, 3.15 ERA) to the mound Thursday, while Cleveland has announced Trevor Bauer (12-8, 4.26 ERA) will likely get the nod.

First game is Thursday, October 6th at Progressive Field.

 

National League

Wild Card Matchup

New York Mets (87-75) vs San Francisco Giants (87-75)

A year after a promising, but ultimately let down World Series against the Royals, the New York Mets come limping into the 2016 postseason. Cherished for their vaunted pitching rotation, the staff has been a shell of what it has represented at times over the last two seasons. They’ll be without Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler, Steve Matz, and could face time without Jacob deGrom. Despite lacking all of that, the Mets still somehow managed to make it back into October. That should really put the ‘2007 Mets Meltdown’ into sober perspective.

Nearly mimicking that infamous 2007 meltdown, the Giants were quite worrisome in the waning games of the season. They wrapped the year going an even 15-15, all while showcasing some seriously concerning bullpen trends. It’s an even year, and the Giants were supposed to cruise to yet another World Series, but if their current bullpen has anything to say about things, they’ll be lucky to see a trip to Wrigley.

This might be the most intriguing Wild Card game we’ve witnessed since the playoff expansion. We’ll see the Mets, held together by duct tape and glue, fight tooth and nail against a team that by all accounts should still be earnest postseason contenders if their bullpen can piece things together.

The Mets, unlike the Giants, came into Sunday well aware of their playoff security, and have already made it aware that Noah Syndergaard (14-9, 2.60 ERA) will pitch in the Wednesday night Wild Card game. The Giants could see Madison Bumgarner (15-9, 2.74 ERA) weasel his way into this matchup on ‘short’ rest, or Johnny Cueto (10-5, 2.79 ERA) seems primed to get the nod.

The NL Wild Card game will take place Wednesday, October 5th at Citi Field on ESPN.

 

Chicago Cubs (103-58) vs Wild Card Winner

What a storied season for the Cubbies. The curse still looms, but this looks like the best opportunity to shatter it to pieces the club may ever get. Finishing the year 103-58, it’s been a calculated cruise missile strike five years in the making to get here. They’ll be the favorite to win it all, and they have the pitching and offense to justify it, but history can be a cruel mistress; can this team live up to the insanely high expectations that have already been set for them? For now, they’ll happily rest on their laurels, and await whoever survives the gladiator fight between the Mets and Giants.

 

Washington Nationals (95-67) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (91-71)

It’s been a lot of the same outcome for the Washington Nationals in their current era of good fortunes, but the one thing that has regularly eluded them has been playoff success. It’s been anything but smooth sailing for this team this season, yet they’ve weathered the storm like a merry crew of hardened veterans of the sea. They’ll be without Wilson Ramos, who tore his ACL last week, and may or may not get Daniel Murphy back in time from an ailing glute injury. Add to the woes that Bryce Harper had one of the least productive months of his career to close out the season.

Luckily for the Nats, they face a team that has been equally, if not more so, condemned to playoff agony. Add to it that the Dodgers have spent an entire season dealing with injuries (a record 28 players went to the DL this season). Still, they were victors of September, and walked away with yet another division title.

This series will be the defining moments for more than a few on either side. A series that finally breaks the playoff bubble, or reaffirms their postseason struggles. Clayton Kershaw and Bryce Harper representing two of the more prolific names that will be under the microscope.

Rested, both sides will likely be able to throw out everything they’ve got in the opening game, which should pit Max Scherzer (19-7, 2.82 ERA) and Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA) in a showdown of Goliath vs Goliath.

 

Tyler Arnold

I am the founder, co-owner, and editor-in-chief of The Runner Sports. I've been an avid sports fan since I was a young boy and have turned that love into a profession. I will watch, comment, and break down anything I can get my hands on, from football to white water rafting in the Olympics. Your visit means a lot to me, so thank you for your readership.

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