The MLB Playoff Picture is down to the strongest teams from both leagues as the Boston Red Sox are the 2013 A.L. Pennant winners and the St. Louis Cardinals ruled the N.L. Here's a look at the MLB Playoff Picture and how these two teams got to the 2013 World Series, setting off a rematch of the 2004 Fall Classic.
Boston Red Sox: Tampa Bay Rays Socked 3-1 in ALDS
Wait, before getting into the postseason, the Red Sox's story began in October of 2012. They missed the playoffs for the second straight year after a horrendous season. They got rid of their superstars that apparently had infected their roster rather than take them back to postseason play. There was no more Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez or Carl Crawford. So instead, the Red Sox signed crafty, gritty players like Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli and Jonny Gomes. They did not look like superstars on paper, but these guys were great all year long.
The Rays were doomed early on, though, they were the team to strike first in Game 1 of the ALDS. They had a 2-0 lead on Jon Lester, when the Rays could not get an out on defense, eventually losing Game 1, 12-2. The momentum carried over onto Game 2 and the Red Sox took the 2-0 lead in the series, eventually closing out in four games.
Tigers Can't Convert K's Into W's
The Red Sox scuffled in the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, who lost their skipper Jim Leyland Monday afternoon. They struck out a total of 73 times through six games played. That's K's on K's on K's, but the Tigers could not get wins. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander were not enough in their outings. Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez were the two starters who were able to push the series to six games after the Tigers' aces did not receive enough run support. For Scherzer in Games 2 and 3, it was the bullpen who could not hold things together. That eventually became the difference as the relievers surrendered to home runs that now stand out as the difference in the series.
St. Louis Cardinals: Cardinals Peck at Pirates in NLDS
The Pirates were up 2-1 in the series when they faced a rookie named Michael Wacha. Adam Wainwright looked like the right move, but manager Mike Matheny trusted his rookie and left his secret weapon for Game 5. The Cardinals won and nobody criticized Matheny's move.
Cardinals Cruise, Crash but Win Against Dodgers in NLCS
They took a 2-0 lead in the series before their momentum came to a screeching halt as the Los Angeles Dodgers would not go away easily. The Dodgers won two of three games at home behind an inconsistent offense. Hanley Ramirez's injuries drove the team to the ground, but credit the Cardinals' pitching for slowing down a team that came red hot into the championship series. Wacha won both of his starts, out-pitching the future 2013 N.L. Cy Young Award winner, Clayton Kershaw.
Here's a visual of how we got to the 2013 World Series
Tampa Bay Rays 1
Boston Red Sox 3------ Red Sox 4
...........................................................RED SOX
Detroit Tigers 3----------- Tigers 2
Oakland Athletics 2
Los Angels Dodgers 3-- Dodgers 2
Atlanta Braves 1
...........................................................CARDINALS
Pittsburgh Pirates 2
St. Louis Cardinals 3---- Cardinals 4
