The MLB playoffs are just around the corner and 5 Things to Know heading into the postseason include details on the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, as they all appear to be heading into October this season.
1. The New York Mets pitching rotation is scary good and in the playoffs it could be the best among the National League teams.
The Mets have some options in the rotation, as players like Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard look like locks and the team also has Bartolo Colon and Steven Matz as options. The latter two could be bullpen options and also spot starters if needed. DeGrom and Harvey are near locks to get the first games, while Syndergaard could be shuffled depending on if the Mets are home or away. This pitching could be World Series worthy.
2. The Toronto Blue Jays could smash their way to a World Series appearance.
The Blue Jays are leading the majors in home runs and they could smash their way through the AL this year. The team has the likely MVP in Josh Donaldson, who has 38 home runs, while Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion each have 32. The team has power up and down the lineup and when Troy Tulowitzki is healthy they are even deeper.
3. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best 1-2 punch among the playoff contenders, with Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw and Greinke have been lights out this season and those two players give the Dodgers the best combo at the top of any team in the MLB. The Mets can challenge slightly, but Greinke and Kershaw are Cy Young winners and have done it for years. Greinke has been historic this season with a 1.61 ERA for the Dodgers, while Kershaw has a 2.12 Era. The pitchers have combined for 31 wins already this season.
4. The Kansas City Royals are the favorites in the American League, and they locked up their division (basically) a month ago.
The Royals have not had to worry about the division in a while and the team is one of the favorites in the AL to make it. The lineup is deep and if Johnny Cueto can get into form heading into the playoffs, the team has a legitimate ace to lead the way. After making it to the World Series last season, the Royals could be back again.
5. The St. Louis Cardinals have been the top team in the NL and they are the favorites to make it to the World Series.
The Cardinals play in the toughest division in baseball, as the Pirates and Cubs should make the playoffs behind STL. The team has had to deal with numerous injuries this season and has still managed to be the top team in the league. If the Cardinals hold on and get some players back heading into the playoffs, they could be World Series bound again.
