Playoff Preview

I’m looking forward to the Astros-Red Sox ALCS with pleasure, the Dodgers-Braves NLCS not so much. What a contrast in personalities and style of play. Both AL teams can flat-out hit, up and down their lineups, aided by the DH, too. Both NL teams had trouble scoring–and there weren’t a lot of dominant pitchers causing the problem. The Red Sox scored 26 runs in their three victories; the Dodgers’ 2-1 nailbiter last night was similarly emblematic. It may also be a gross generalization, but the NL squads seem unusually white, even whitebread. Any team featuring two Turners and a Taylor is pretty bland (or pretty Southern California) in this era. I don’t know a lot about the Braves, but their star is Freddie Freeman! By contrast, Boston, the last team to integrate, is led by Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and Kike Hernandez. The Astros themselves could qualify for the Latin World Series, with Altuve, Gurriel, Correa. Alvarez. There’s a lot of attitude, enthusiasm and flair on both teams. And whereas playoffs often come down to a hot pitcher, that role has been diminished by managers who take their starters out at the slightest slump, even in the 2d or 3d inning.
So bring on the bats and let the games begin. And even if there is no play as exciting as Randy Arozarena’s straight steal of home for the Rays, I’m expecting highlights aplenty from the American Leaguers, and a bit of a snooze from the Nationals.