The Marvelous Fall Frenzy of 2025 will indeed be that. Because Major League Baseball has again changed the playoff format this year. Because the competition for eyeballs/clicks/viewers/consumers/money is, like everything else – greater than ever. One quarter of the way through the 21st Century and everything is in hyper-drive. Which is, I think, not good for anyone’s overall health and well-being. Nevertheless, we are where we are. So let’s get into it.
The Bracket
The Wild Card series’ games’ begin today. Which is why I have to hurry up and get this done. Additionally, there is now no off day. Moreover, in the best of three series, all three games will be played at the higher seeds’ park. In other words – there will be games Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With the first team to win two advancing to the next round; beginning Saturday, October 4th.
Round two, the Division Series, is the best of five, with two off days for travel. Games 1,2 & 5 in the park of the team with the higher seed.
Round three, the Championship Series, begins Sunday, October 12th; and is a best of seven. Again with the higher seeded team having the home field advantage.* In baseball, throughout its history, the home team wins 54% of the time.
The World Series begins Wednesday the 24th. The format is games 1,2,6, & 7 played at the field of the team having the best overall record.
My History
My history dates back all the way to 1956. My brother and I
lived for baseball, bonded over it. I’ve detailed that in previous posts. With that in mind, here are my picks.
My picks
The home team wins all Wild Card series. In round two in the American League – Seattle and New York advance, setting up home run giants Cal Raleigh (60) and Aaron Judge (53) to battle it out. Judge wins because he must. This might be his last chance to claim he’s the GOAT.
In the National League, it’s the Dodgers and Brewers going on. Wherein the Los Angeles Dodgers prevail. Of course! Setting up a World Series pitting the Dodgers against the Yankees. (This one’s for you, Jack!) The Yankees will be the home team.
And the winner is … the New York Yankees! Sorry bro.
What a Marvelous Fall Frenzy it will be.
- Home field advantage, in sports, is a real thing. Teams playing in front of their own fans, in their own city win more often than lose. I propose that this is because of the Territorial Imperative, more so than any other factor. In war and battle creatures tend to fight more fiercely when defending their home territory. Or hunting ground, if you will.
Never. Go, Jays!!
Okay, Jane. I get your affiliation to Canada; but consider history. We’ve four historic home run hitters in these playoffs. Four 50+ bangers. First time ever! Should not it come down to who is the best bomber? Judge, Raleigh, Schwarber, or Ohtani?
Can’t we set aside politics?
Sorry Canada. You are, so far, a step child.
Go Bronx Bombers. Go Yankees! F the Dodgers. I never understood my brother’s attachment to such a fickle franchise. (A shrink question, for sure.)
It’s not poliics, Mark, it’s my home team. And we have plenty of top players. We’ll see what happens! 🙂
Day one is over and the home team won just 2 of the 4 games. All the games were close except for the Dodger game. LA crushed the Reds. The Yankees are up against it now. Their bullpen let them down, as did the middle of batting order in the 9th, when they had the bases loaded with no outs and couldn’t score. That’s not indicative of championship play. 🙁
Alright. The Wild Card round is over. Today is a travel day. Three of the four winners held the home field advantage. Only the Cleveland team failed. The Yankees solved their bullpen problem by not going to it until the 9th inning. 🙂 Now it gets even more exciting! New York travels to Toronto to face the Blue Jays. I’m sticking with the Yanks to win. A sweep? It’s possible. Because of the Bombers starting pitching and long ball proclivity. We shall see, Jane. Cheers.
October 12 update. And so the league championship series’ are set. The LA Dodgers will play the Milwaukie Brewers; the Seattle Mariners play the Toronto Blue Jays. The Division Series’ were outstanding! With the exception of the Yankees versus the Jays. Toronto smoked them. It wasn’t even competitive. There is something seriously wrong with the “vibe” regarding the Yankee drive.
For years, at least the last six, I’ve been for firing manager Aaron Boone. I think he’s NOT good at managing players. Plain and simple. He’s too soft (kind). Aaron Judge is too soft, too. It seems both value being “liked” over winning.
Okay; but that’s not what the game is about–being popular. It’s the manager’s job to manipulate the different personalities to get them to compete at their highest capable level–individually. In other words, to play at their best under the highest pressure and stress. Boone has failed at that year after year. Evidenced by the roster turn over.
Yes, it’s a game of inches and luck plays apart. But … enough said.
Moving on. The top seeds (home field advantaged) are winning. The Dodgers being the exception. I’m hoping to see Ohtani matched up against Raleigh in the final match up. The two MVPs, and see who comes through in the clutch.
Update: Tuesday October 21. The world Series is set. It’s the Toronto Blue Jays, with the home field advantage, against the LA Dodgers. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. versus Shohei Ohtani. As an OG All American boy raised in the 1950’s, I’m disappointed. I was brought up on New York baseball, hotdogs, and apple pie. “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks.”
One team doesn’t even play in the USA and the other is a money chasing deserter. The GOAT doesn’t even speak English. 🙁
I’ll probably watch, some. But I don’t care. The game is not the one I grew up with.
And so it ends – with what some have called “The Greatest World Series” ever! They might be right. In seven games, two of extra innings, The LA Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays. Both extra-inning games were won by the Dodgers. Most fans agree–the Blue Jays out played the Dodgers in all phases of the game – and yet. This was back-to-back championships for LA, beating the Yankees last year.
Oh how I wish my brother was still alive. He missed them both. We had so much fun watching games together and this was his passion like no other – the Dodgers. Cheers, brother.
Update: Thursday, 11, 2025; because it’s still Fall. I was wondering: What is the most impressive event of Fall 2025?
1) The LA Dodgers repeating as MLB champions.
2) The Kansas Chiefs fall in the NFL (6-7 record)
3) The Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominance in the NBA (24-1 record)