The Milwaukee Brewers take on the Washington Nationals in the National League Wild Card Play-In Game to kick off the 2019 MLB Postseason on Tuesday evening. 162 games have been played and it all comes down to this. Though this is a Cardinals blog, stlcardsfan4 did a quick preview of the match-up. It should be a closely contested contest with high stakes: the chance to take on the NL-leading Dodgers in a best of five-games series.
My heart usually tells me during the game who I want to win, but if I had to pick, for this game I think I am going with the Brewers. As for the rest of the teams... well, we have to tier them, of course! Here is my completely scientific and objective rankings of the teams in the MLB playoffs.
Tier one - Cardinals tier
St. Louis Cardinals
This is the team I want to win.
Tier two - Sympathy tier
Tampa Bay Rays
Oakland Athletics
The Rays have never won the World Series and they had the lowest Opening Day team payroll.
The A’s have won several World Series in their history, the most recent in 1989, but they play in something that is literally called a coliseum. Their fans have been loyal through all the ups and downs. We must not forget that Michael Lewis loves the game recaps at Athletic Nation.
Tier three - I forgot this team made the playoffs and had to add them in last minute tier
Minnesota Twins
I counted the teams to make sure I had not forgotten any and realized I forgot the Twins. I figured that deserved to be its own tier.
The Twins won 101 games. Was I just in a cave all summer or was there no coverage of this?
Tier four - Apathy tier
Milwaukee Brewers
Washington Nationals
I have no particular disdain for either team. The Nationals have never won a World Series, but they do not quite generate sympathy like the teams in that tier. The Brewers would be far more likable if they were not in the Cardinals division. So... meh.
Tier five - You just won tier
Houston Astros
The Astros just won in 2017 by tanking and then getting good. They do not need to win again.
Tier six - Yankees tier
New York Yankees
27 rings. It should really just stay that way for awhile.
Tier seven - Ew tier
Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers
To be completely honest, I just do not like these teams. I do not actively root against them like I would with the Cubs or the Red Sox, but if they won I would be mildly disgusted. I just... I just don’t like ‘em. The Braves did a good job with their rebuild, so that is nice. The Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw and it would be cool to see him get a ring, but that is just not enough.
So there you have it. Is this list infallible? Of course — this is the only correct way. As always, please feel free to voice your objections in the comments!
what else is going on in baseball...
Ranking 2019 postseason clubs' lineups | MLB.com
This Day in History: Mays' over-the-shoulder catch | 09/29/1954 | MLB.com
Pete Alonso cries after record homer | MLB.com
Home runs to play major role in October | MLB.com
Ranking the top 50 players in October | MLB.com
MLB 2019 league leaders | MLB.com
Postseason Preview: The NL Wild Card Game | FanGraphs Baseball
Marcus Semien’s Defense Is a Team Effort | FanGraphs Baseball
When Is the Ideal Time to Start Your Ace? | FanGraphs Baseball
Verlander’s Twin Milestones Cap a Year of Record Strikeouts | FanGraphs Baseball
The intensity of the MLB wild card game, explained by players and managers | SBNation.com
what the cardinals are up to...
Cardinals clinch 2019 NL Central | MLB.com
KNOW THINE ENEMY...
the nl central
Joe Maddon not returning as Cubs manager | MLB.com
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