October 17, 2020: Still Undecided

I thought at this point we’d already know, but the World Series participants are still undecided. The Astros after being down 3-0 have stormed back and tied the series at 3. The Dodgers after being down 2-0 and 3-1, won with their backs against the wall, and closed the series to 3-2. We already have one Game 7… I’m thinking we’re going to have two. Nothing wrong with that, right?

I’m still watching the games when I can, which is unlike other years. Usually after the Cubs get knocked out, I’m done. But this year, I’m still tuned in. I think it has to do with the sport itself; there is no other sport where I will continue to tune in like this. Well, of course I watch the Super Bowl, and Conference Championship Sunday is the best day of the year in football, but baseball gets the edge. I’m ready to see this through.

Now typically I will have strong feelings one way or another on the remaining teams in the playoffs. Right off the bat, I have hate for the Dodgers; to see them choke away another great season would normally make me smile. I guess it still would make me smile a bit, but… there are some players that I like on the Dodgers, including one of my favorites, Clayton Kershaw. The way it’s shaping up, he could be in line to start Game 7 if there is one… Another guy I like, and I hate that he went there, is Mookie Betts. And remember, I used to play for the Dodgers back in the day, WAY back in the day… I guess I’m not that against them moving on, but certainly would prefer the Bravos. Freddie Freeman is on my fantasy team almost every year. Acuna is a great player; I like Swanson too. I don’t like Ozuna, and although I had Max Fried on my fantasy team, there is really no pitcher on their staff that I like, although this new kid Anderson has been pitching lights out. It will be interesting to see how this one turns out.

Now to the AL… first instinct is F the Astros. Have they really paid the price for the cheating they did on their way to the 2017 World Series? And then to be setup for a historic comeback after the Rays couldn’t close the door in any of the last 3 games? Then there’s Dusty Baker in the dugout? Not necessarily the best feelings come rushing back with that guy either. Yet, to see Altuve struggle in the field, brings a bit of sympathy. To see a guy that I had on my fantasy team his first couple years in the league in Carlos Correa be big. George Springer, a free agent next year, maybe with the Cubs. Zack Greinke, calling his pitch a few times, although seeing Laureano proceed to take him deep after he did that was pretty sweet. I don’t know; why don’t I hate them like I should? Seeing my nephew, who is a big Astros fan, celebrate after the walk off the other day… reminding me of myself and my brother going nuts… On the other side is the Rays; no real strong feelings there. I like the whole thing with the Yankees, the way that dude paid Chapman back with a series winning home run. I like the whole random guy thing; not that crazy about using all those pitchers. But they’re the Tampa Bay Rays previously the Devil Rays… hmmm.

So after further review, and although I would still prefer Braves Rays in the Series, an alternate ending is not that horrible. If the Astros advance, so be it. I would still root for whoever came out of the NL… yes, even IF it’s the Dodgers. In fact, seeing the Dodgers vs Astros in the World Series would be appropriate no? The whole history there… seeing Kershaw finally come through and get two wins vs the Astros on the way to the Dodgers’ first World Series in 32 years. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I guess I would be OK with that. Crazy, but… it is 2020… what will happen next?