by: Nate Underdog
As the MLB season comes to a close lets take a look at the AL Division Winners:
HOUSTON ASTROS
Lets start with the Manager Dusty Baker who has 2,091 wins without winning a world series, a 40-44 playoff record losing both chances in 2002 with the Giants and 2021 with the Astros, Maybe this is his year.
The Pitching Staff:
Justin Verlander – The anchor of the staff Verlander fresh off Tommy John he didn’t need a year to get back to his form posting a 17-4 record with 1.80 Era striking out 175 in 170 innings, opponents are only hitting .190 off him on the year.
Lance McCullers – Since returning from the IR all hes done is go 4-1 with a 2.38 Era with 45 Ks in 41.2 innings, his control has yet to get back to form but hes been masterful at getting out of jams.
Christian Javier – Hes really come into his own this season posting 11-9 record thats kinda deceiving with a 2.54 Era and 194ks in 148.2 innings batters are hitting a measly .170 off him
Framber Valdez – 16-6 with a 2.89 Era 184 k in 196.1 innings though he does not have the K capabilities as his counterparts he keeps the ball in the park and can get the K when he needs.
The Lineup:
Jose Altuve – The engine that drives this car, hitting 2.97 with 28 hrs, 37 doubles, stealing 18 bags only being caught once, scoring 102 runs on base close to .400, he sets the tone for this offense by getting on base and finding his way into scoring position.
Jeremy Pena – The 24 year old Rookie has had a fantastic start to his career with 21 hrs, 20 doubles, 11 Stolen bags, 71 runs scored. the .252 batting avg leads more to be desired from the youngster who has struck out 132 times to only 22 walks. Needs to become more patient at the plate.
Alex Bregman – He heated up after All-Star break after a very slow 1st half of the season. Hes been patient at the plate with 85 walks to 77 strikeouts while posting 23 hrs, 38 doubles, 92rbi, 92 runs score.
Yordan Alvarez – The Monster in the middle, what bad thing can you say about this guys offensive game. He would be in the MVP conversation if not for the Huge year Judge is having. Hes hitting .301 with 37 hrs, 26 doubles, 96 Rbi, an on base % over .400 and a slugging of 1.011 scoring 93 runs.
Kyle Tucker – Mr. do it all Tucker already sits with a 20/20 on the season hitting 29 hrs stealing 25 bags but also leads the team with 104 Rbi. This lineup hinges on Alvarez and Tucker driving players in.
Yuli Gurriel – Hes been a glue guy for the Astros for a longtime now, having a down year but could get hot at the right time for a team that could use his bat. On the season he only has 8 hrs, 8 stolen bases, striking out a whooping 72 times to 29 walks. but still hit 40 doubles this man can still find the gap in crucial situations.
Trey Mancini – A late addition to the Houston lineup picked up before the deadline when Brantley went down. The 30 year old has struggled to say the least after moving from Balt to Hou only hitting .186 with 8hrs since the trade. But this man is a veteran and a taste of the playoffs might be just what he needs to get warmed up.
Martin Maldonado – Its not really what he does with his bat only hitting .186 striking out 112 times with 14 hrs. More about how this man handles the defensive duties and this pitching staff that has done a masterful job of handling.
Chas McCormick – Nothing to really write home about but does a solid job in the outfield for the Stros and will have a big moment from time to time at the plate. .237 avg with 14 hrs, 11 doubles, 43 Rbi.
NEW YORK YANKEES
Lets start with their manager. Aaron Boone is in his 5th season as the Yankees manager winning a lot of games 425-279 with no Title to show for it. Could this be the season he has a team to put him over the top?
The Pitching Staff:
Gerrit Cole – The Anchor of this staff has been shaky of late but he did just break the Yankee single season K record. He’s posted a 13-7 with a 3.51 Era striking out 248 in 194 innings. The only thing that has plagued him this year is the long-ball giving up 32 hrs to opposing teams.
Nestor Cortes – Boy did they ever need this man to play huge and give them a formidable 1-2 punch. Nestor has been every bit as good as you could hope for going 12-4 with a 2.44 striking out 163 in a 158 innings. hopefully he can carry it into the playoffs for a Yankees team that is looking to return to glory.
Luis Severino – In Between battles with the IR he has shown flashes of his old form. He hasn’t stayed healthy long enough to get all the way back, but he knows how to step up in the moment. hes 6-3 on the year with 3.41 Era striking out 105 in 95 innings.
The Bullpen – The strength of this team has been its bullpen all season. If they have the lead going into the 7th odds are you aren’t coming back. These men have locked down all season no reason to think that stops in the postseason when bullpen plays a huge part.
The Lineup
DJ LeMahieu – Its hard pressed to say this mans name without .300 next to it, its been a down year for the man of many positions but he has experience and has been there done that throughout his career. No moment is too big for Mr. Lemahieu so you can throw out the .260 Avg, 12 hrs and 18 doubles when the postseason starts.
Anthony Rizzo – This team does 1 thing very very well as you will see the trend as we continue if you don’t already know. Rizzo has found his way of being productive while only hitting .227 and that’s with the long-ball hitting 32 hrs, 21 doubles driving in 75 Rbi More than half of his hits are for Extra Bases.
Gleyber Torres – He has started to break his way out of his 2 season funk bouncing back with a .257 Avg, 24 hrs, 28 doubles, 76 Rbi while stealing 10 bags. They will need similar production from him when the playoffs star.
Giancarlo Stanton – I don’t know what to say his .209 Avg isn’t like him at all, but has battled injuries throughout the season but this man can park 1 in any given at bat with 29 hrs, 76 Rbi on the season.
Josh Donaldson – Hes held strong on Defense but his offensive numbers leave a lot to be desired .227, 15 hrs, 28 doubles, 62 Rbi he might not still be the player he once was, but has experience of playing in big games on his side.
Aaron Judge – What can you really write about this man that anyone doesn’t know? Hes a lock at AL MVP, hes hitting .311, 61 hrs, 130 Rbi 28 doubles, fighting to win the triple crown. the only knock on him is 173 ks and even that isn’t huge deal because most pitchers have pitched him so tight and given him their best stuff every single AB.
Oswaldo Cabrera – The young rookie has made a splash since being called up hitting .245 with 5 hrs, 8 doubles, 18 RBi in 40 games but he brings a smile and joy to a veteran lineup that sometimes needs to be reminded to have fun. I really love how this kid plays baseball.
Aaron Hicks – MR. MIA this guy has vanished from playing baseball .223, 8 hrs, 9 doubles, 40 RBI in 126 games. What has happened to you MR. Hicks the Yankees will need a big play or 2 from you to win a title.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa – A lot like DJ he just finds a way to get on base and timely hitting. .263 on the year but started to heat up just before All-Star break with 4 hrs, 20 doubles, 48 RBI, stealing 21 bags on the year.
Cleveland Guardians
Lets start with the manager. Terry Francona has been very successful for a very long time in this league winning 1,792 games and 2 World Series titles with Boston. Hes been turning this Cleveland team around for the last decade.
The Pitching Staff:
Shane Bieber – The Anchor of this team posting a 13-8 with 2.88 ERA holding batters to a .230 Avg striking out 198 in 200 innings. hes been MR. Consistent for this team over the years and will lead them into the playoffs as the ACE again this season.
Triston McKenzie – The youngster has come into his own this season don’t let the win/loss fool you at 11-11 Hitters are only hitting .200 off him while hes posted a 2.99 Era with 186ks in 186 innings. A solid 1-2 punch but not sure enough for HOU or the Yankees.
Cal Quantrill – 14-5 having a solid season for the Guardians with a 3.42 era. wont strike out a ton but finds a way to get hitters out with quality pitching.
Emmanuel Class – If they get to the 9th the game is pretty much over this kid has been lights out. closing out 41 of 45 games with 75 Ks in 71 innings and a ERA of 1.38 leaving hitters guessing, hitting .166 off him.
The Lineup:
Steven Kwan – This youngster shows you exactly what this whole team is about. Hes hitting .301, 6 hrs, 7 triples, 24 doubles, stole19 bags. this team doesn’t blow you away with power numbers. they get on base, move runners over, manufacture runs. And they are very good at it.
Andres Gimenez – Came out of nowhere this season to make the All-Star team hitting .302, 17 hrs, 26 doubles, 19 steals, 68 RBI a great all round offensive game who knows how to find hits.
Amed Rosario – You will continue to see similar numbers through this whole lineup as he hit .280, 11 hrs, 9 triples, 26 doubles, 71 RBI stole 17 bags. This team is built on Defense and grinding out runs.
Josh Naylor – Kind of a breakout campaign for Naylor on his way to hitting 20 hrs, 27 doubles and 76 RBI with a .254 avg. Hes the power man in the middle of this lineup.
Jose Ramirez – I love everything about this kid, who he is as a person, how he plays Defense, took a pay-cut to stay in Cleveland, ability to do anything and everything asked of him including being the leader you build a team around. He hit .276 this year with 29 hrs, 42 doubles, 5 triples, 122 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 68 walks to only 81 ks.
Myles Straw – Good outfielder who has struggled at the plate this year. Hes hitting .219, 22 doubles, and 20 stolen bases. if he gets on base he finds a way to get into scoring position.
Oscar Gonzalez – Another youngster for these Guardians who has played well with his chances hitting .295, 26 doubles, 11 hrs, 43 RBI Not alot of playoff experience on this team but they are gritty.
Will Brennan – The youngster outta Colorado Springs has hit the ground running since being called up going 11-32 with a hr, triple, 7 RBI and 2 stolen bases in 9 games.
Austin Hedges – The man behind the dish that keeps everything running doesn’t have much of an offensive game but he handles the staff with a solid calm about him. hes only hitting .166 with 7 hrs, 4 doubles, 30 RBI on the year.