PSO Premium Review: NLCS Game 1 & ALCS Game 2

1. Rays future OF situation is the best in baseball

Manuel Margot was the star of the day and he only needed two innings to do it as he launched a 3-run shot in the bottom of the 1st and made an epic catch over the railing to rob George Springer of an at-bat in the top of the 2nd. With Randy Arozarena stealing the Thunder as this postseason’s biggest breakout player, many have forgotten about Margot, the former top prospect from San Diego. Combine those two’s promising futures with Austin Meadows, the Rays best hitter last year, and Brandon Lowe, a borderline MVP candidate this season that can play anywhere (and likely to move to OF with an influx of high-caliber young IFs coming up soon), and Tampa’s OF could develop into the best in baseball at any point in the next 3-4 years. The talent is there for Tampa’s OF, and getting vital experience like this in the ALCS and World Series can only help. 

2. Dodgers have a severe closer problem

While the Los Angeles Dodgers can’t expect to win many (if any) games when scoring only one run, LA’s only real weakness is in the back of their bullpen. The Braves pitching staff, led by Max Fried (more on him below) has been lights out so the bats are likely to come around against a different pitching staff, but giving up four runs in the 9th inning seems like less of a fluke for a team experimenting with their closer situation in the midst of a playoff run. The Dodgers are still the favorites to win the World Series this year, but Kenley Jansen’s decline and a lack of viable replacements could ultimately prove to be their downfall. 

3. ATL’s pitching staff in the midst of an all-time playoff run

Entering the postseason, it was hard to envision a Braves team making a real title run this year considering they are missing their ace Mike Soroka (torn Achilles), most reliable postseason pitcher (Cole Hamels), and their All-Star SP from 2018 (Mike Foltynewicz). However, Max Fried has stepped up as ATL’s go-to guy and youngsters Ian Anderson and Kyle Wright have filled in admirably when handed the ball. It’ll be interesting to see if they can repeat that performance against the best team in the NL and if the pitchers in Game 4 or Game 5 (likely Bryse Wilson & Josh Tomlin) can follow suit. However, the Braves can definitely rely on their bullpen that has been lights out against the lowly Reds & Marlins offense, and proved it’s no fluke in Game 1 against the powerhouse Dodgers. They’re setting MLB records with their stinginess on the mound.