MLB: A Retrospective Of October 2020, ALWC (HOU/MIN)
(originally written October 2020)
Wild Card Round Matchups: TOR/TB CHW/OAK HOU/MIN NYY/CLE MIL/LAD CIN/ATL MIA/CHC STL/SD
Division Series Matchups: NYY/TB HOU/OAK SD/LAD MIA/ATL
Championship Series Matchups: HOU/TB ATL/LAD
World Series Matchup: TB/LAD
* hover over image for description
Astros CL Ryan Pressly followed Javier's three shutout, hitless innings with a 1-2-3 9th (including an iffy check-swing K of Sano), sealing the 3-1 victory and an upset sweep of the three-game series. Minnesota finished the series with seven total hits and a slashline of .119/.246/.153 (even WITH Cruz's contributions.)
#3 seed Minnesota won 36 times during the regular season, tied with Oakland for second-most in the AL. #6 seed Houston stumbled into the playoffs with three straight season-ending losses and a 29-31 record. Who would YOU wager on?
Whenever you limit a man with 417 career bombs to a double in a key situation, a part of you might be relieved. Cruz went oppo against Houston's Zack Greinke in the 3rd, barely scoring Max Kepler from first base.