Clinch Time! Who will Prevail in the 2017 MLB Postseason?

The 2017 Major League Baseball Postseason picture is set. The Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers have clinched their respected divisions and the wild card spots went to the Yankees and the Diamondbacks.

The favorite in the American League would seem to be the Cleveland Indians. The Indians are coming off an astonishing 22 consecutive win streak which is the most in American League history. It lasted from August 24th to September 15th and on September 17th they secured the Central Division Title. Players leading the team including Francisco Lindor, Cory Kubler, Carlos Carrasco, Edwin Encarnacion, AL MVP Candidate Jose Ramirez, and trade line acquisition Jay Bruce have been amazing this last stretch and feel hopeful they can lead their team to back to back World Series trips.

In the American League West, the Houston Astros have clinched the Division Title. In the first two months of the season, the Astros were on a great stretch having a 36-15 record. After a simmering down in the next few months, the Astros were faced with devastation as Hurricane Harvey hit Houston and caused mass destruction. The Astros were able to bounce back and clinch the division on the same day as the Indians did (Sept. 15th). Players such as Carlos Correa, George Springer, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Alex Bregman, Marwin Gonzalez and another AL MVP Canidate Jose Altuve have brought this team back to the playoffs.

Out in the American League East, the Boston Red Sox have been able to clinch their Division Title. After contending for first place with the Yankees in the AL East for the first half of the season, an 8 game win streak in late July put them officially in first and never went down since. 20 year old rookie Rafael Devers was a late July call-up to the Majors and has been one of the hottest hitters on the team. Other dominant players including Chris Sale, Mookie Betts, Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Benintendi, and Jackie Bradley Jr. have lead the way to win and look to bring a World Series back to Boston

The National League has also had some astounding teams lead by the leagues best players. In the National League East, The Washington Nationals are yet again on top. In the 4 out of the last 6 years, the Nationals have won the crown of the NL East Champs While they have never made it out of the NLDS (National League Division Series) in their existence of a franchise, they looking to change that. All-Stars Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, and the favorite in the NL CY Young Max Scherzer hope to bring a title to America’s Capitol.

Out in the National League Central the Chicago Cubs are once again on top. After winning the 2016 World Series, the Cubs are back right where they were last year and clinch the NL Central title yet again and hope to do some damage. After having a sub .500 winning % (43-45) at the All-Star Break, the Cubs were able to storm all the way back to clinch a post season berth and clinch their division on September 27th. Key players on this north side of Chicago team include 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis look to bring a Championship back to back years to Chicago.

The final division that has been clinched is done by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have had an amazing record by being 55 games over .500 (91-36 record) on August 25th which was a key help to yet another NL West title. After clinching the division on September 22nd, it makes the 5th straight season that the Dodgers have won the National League West. In late April a rookie named Cody Bellinger who has been absolutely crushing it and is likely to win the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year. With help from other players like Rich Hill, Clayton Kershaw, Yasiel Puig, Chris Taylor and Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers look to bring a World Series out to Hollywood.

Both the American League and National League Wild Card Games have completed as the Yankees beat the Twins by a final Score of 8-4 and the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 11-8. The Yankees will be playing the Indians, the Red Sox will play the Nationals the Astros, the Diamondbacks will verse the Dodgers and the Cubs will be taking on the Nationals.

With the 2017 Post Season picture set, teams filled with astonishing players will be looking to shine and win the coveted 2017 World Series Championship. Who will win is not certain yet as it will come down to the wire in this insane month long ride.

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2017/09/cleveleland_indians_clinch_al.html

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/09/17/houston-astros-clinch-al-west

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/09/10/nationals-clinch-nl-east-title-vs-phillies

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-clinch-second-straight-nl-central-title-third-consecutive-trip-to-postseason/

https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/9/30/16376368/boston-red-sox-american-league-east-champions-mlb-playoffs-2017

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https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/9/24/16358608/arizona-diamondbacks-national-league-wild-card-mlb-playoffs