The MLB postseason for 2015 is underway and with the Astros wining over the Yankees, Houston now advances to the ALDS against the Royals. Many consider Kansas City, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays the favorites in the AL and NL, but teams like the NY Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Astros and Texas Rangers will try and play spoiler.
Here are some things to watch as the postseason continues:
Favorites in the American League and National League
The Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals are considered the favorites in the AL and NL, as those teams finished with the best records in each league. The Royals were first over the Blue Jays, while the Cardinals finished tops in the NL. The Cardinals have playoff experience and could make another World Series run, while the Blue Jays were the top team in the second half of the season in the AL. The additions of David Price and Troy Tulowitzki along with other role players could help the Jays win the first title in two decades. Josh Donaldson also has put up an MVP season and is the favorite to win that award.
The Mets have the deepest rotation in the playoffs
The Mets have by far the deepest rotation of pitchers in the playoffs with Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard and those three will open things up for the team. The Mets have Steven Matz as a potential option if he is healthy, while Bartolo Colon has been solid again this year. The top three pitchers have been fantastic and no one else has a rotation that deep.
The Dodgers have the best 1-2 combo of pitchers this year (possibly ever)
The Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke set for their first two games against the Mets and no team in baseball can match that one-two punch in the rotation. Greinke had a historic season with the way he pitched all year, while Kershaw made it to 300 K's and is looking to finally have some postseason success. Having those two at the top, even with the depth behind them so-so, gives the Dodgers a great chance in the postseason.
Don't sleep on the Texas teams
The Astros showed against the Yankees (and all season) that they are a team that can make things happen and against the Royals, Houston will try and play upset again. The Royals likely will not take the Astros lightly, as they were a wild card team last year and made it to the World Series. The Astros have a likely Cy Young winner in Dallas Keuchel, while players like Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa have been huge this season. The Rangers also are a scary team, as they ended up winning the AL West after a slow start and they have an ace in Cole Hamels. The team also has elite players like Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder that have playoff experience.
Johnny Cueto could be the most important player in the playoffs on any team
The Royals are favorites in the American League after making a run to the World Series last season and the team finished with the best record in the AL this year. The team has the Astros in the ALDS and they added ace Johnny Cueto at the trade deadline, as the Royals did not have a clear "number one guy" for a series like this. Cueto struggled compared to his time with the Reds and he won't even start Game 1 for the Royals, with Yordano Ventura getting the nod. But Cueto could be crucial, as he will start important games for the Royals and for the team to bank on their promise as favorites, he will need to perform.
Check here for more on the MLB playoffs and the MLB playoffs schedule.
