Must-See Highlights, Facts, & Takeaways From Wednesday’s DS Games

Top takeaways from Wednesday's MLB Playoff games:
1. A's can never be counted out in 2020
2. Jansen is the Dodgers only weakness
3. Yanks offense has suddenly become strictly Stanton pic.twitter.com/ar5rWbJCrb

— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 8, 2020

1. A’s can’t be counted out in 2020

Time and time again, the Oakland A’s made comeback after comeback during the 2020 season to overcome the odds and pull off surprising victories. It looked like all that magic was gone as Houston was up 2-0 in the series and led 7-4 in the 7th inning of Game 3 with a sweep in reach. However, Chad Pinder’s 3-run shot and Liam Hendriks’ three shutout innings helped the A’s do it again, keeping their season alive, flipping the momentum, and might stand as the turning point in this AL West division series. The A’s have proven they’re the most likely to team to come back from a 2-0 deficit.

2. Kenley Jansen is LA’s only weakness

It’s hard to nitpick a team with the best record in baseball, a loaded rotation, elite OFs, and depth for days. However, after watching Wednesday’s game, it became clear that Kenley Jansen is not the All-Star closer he once was. Whether looking at his 90 MPH offspeed pitches being left right over the plate or his evident lack of confidence when taking the hill, Jansen doesn’t have the look or feel of a lockdown closer anymore and 10/7 could mark the final time Manager Dave Roberts trusts him in those high-leverage situations as he almost blew it if it wasn’t for Joe Kelly coming in to get Eric Hosmer to ground out for the game-ending out.

3. Yanks offense has suddenly become strictly Stanton

Just a few games after the Yankees offense looked uncontainable, it’s suddenly become the Giancarlo Stanton show and not much else run production. Aaron Judge is batting an abysmal .130 in the postseason, and the rest of the lineup hasn’t showed up to support Stanton over the last couple games as Giancarlo is in the midst of a historic tear. The Bronx Bombers will need a more balanced effort if they want to stay alive after Game 4 and Game 5.