Major League Baseball’s postseason has advanced to the two League Championship Series, bringing together teams with compelling narratives and high stakes. The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), while the American League Championship Series (ALCS) will feature the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Notably, both the Mariners and Brewers are among the five franchises that have never claimed a World Series title.
The Mariners secured their spot in the ALCS after a thrilling 15-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of the American League Division Series (ALDS). They will have a quick turnaround, as they are scheduled to face the Blue Jays in Game 1 on Sunday night, less than 48 hours after their marathon match. Seattle will start pitcher Bryce Miller, who ended the regular season with a 5.68 ERA, on short rest. In contrast, Toronto will send a well-rested Kevin Gausman to the mound after the Blue Jays eliminated the New York Yankees in four games.
The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in four games. Milwaukee, who triumphed over the Chicago Cubs in a five-game NLDS, will be looking to continue their momentum. Both the Blue Jays and Brewers finished the regular season with impressive records, with the Brewers at 97 wins and the Blue Jays at 94 wins.
Star Performances and Historical Context
The ALDS showcased standout performances from both Toronto and Seattle. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays excelled, going 9 for 17 with three home runs and nine RBIs against the Yankees. Meanwhile, the Mariners’ catcher Cal Raleigh, who hit 60 home runs during the regular season, contributed with 6 for 21 at the plate, including a homer and four walks against Detroit.
Despite some struggles, Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way star, remains a key figure in the series. While his performance against the Phillies was not stellar, Roki Sasaki emerged as a potential asset for the Dodgers’ bullpen, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs. This becomes crucial as Milwaukee’s starting pitchers boasted a better ERA during the regular season compared to Los Angeles’ high-profile rotation.
Milwaukee’s advancement to the NLCS comes just nine months after the passing of Bob Uecker, the team’s beloved broadcaster. Following their victory over the Cubs, the Brewers honored Uecker by posing with a banner featuring his signature, a tribute to his enduring legacy.
Potential Milestones and Matchup Dynamics
The upcoming Dodgers-Brewers series is a rematch of the 2018 NLCS, which went to a decisive Game 7, with Los Angeles ultimately denying Milwaukee a World Series appearance for the first time since 1982. This season, the Brewers enjoyed success against the Dodgers, going 6-0 in their regular-season matchups, a significant factor in their strong record.
The Mariners and Blue Jays, while both entering the ALCS simultaneously in 1977, have limited historical rivalry. However, the proximity of Seattle to Canada may influence fan attendance, with Blue Jays supporters likely to show up in greater numbers than the Mariners might prefer. Seattle’s first ALCS appearance since 2001 is a significant milestone, while Toronto last reached this stage in 2016, with their last pennant win dating back to 1993.
If both the Mariners and Brewers manage to reach the World Series, it would mark the first Fall Classic featuring two teams that have never won the championship since the 1980 matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals.
As the League Championship Series unfolds from October 12 to 21, the anticipation continues to build, with the World Series scheduled to take place from October 24 to November 1. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Dodgers are currently favorites to win the title, followed by the Blue Jays, Mariners, and Brewers in the odds.
With the stakes higher than ever, fans from around the world will be glued to their screens, eager to see which teams will advance to the ultimate showdown in baseball.