Lets start with the National League, Cubs vs Pirates. The Cubs have been a fan favorite for most and known as the lovable losers for the last 100 years. And the Pirates have been tearing it up for most of the year. Both of the teams brought out there best arms in there bullpen so they have the best pitcher out there to make it to the playoffs. The Cubs started Jake Arrieta, has an ERA of 1.77 with a 22-6 record. The Pirates started Garret Cole, a less impressive ERA of 2.60 with a 19-8 record.
Arrieta played this game like his life was on the line, he threw a complete game with 11 strikeouts and 4 hits and 0 earned runs. The Pirates couldn't do a thing against him. No one seemed to make contact with the ball or get on base. While Cole only made it 5 innings with 6 hits and 4 earned runs and only 4 strikeouts. Arrieta obviously was the star pitcher for the night, which led to a cubs victory (4-0) and a trip to the playoffs, which hasnt happened in over 100 years.
The batting for the Cubs was all there while the Pirates weren't able to perform. The Cubs had a collective 7 hits with 2 of them being home runs. The Pirates only had 4 hits all game, and it just wast enough.
The American League Wild Card game consisted of the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. The Yankees historically have been known as the powerhouse team that could never seem to perform. But this year they had that opportunity to finally show themselves. While the Astros continue with this second half run. The Yankees started Tanaka, he has an ERA of 3.51 with 12 wins and 7 losses. It seems like the wrong pick for a wild card game. The Astros pitched their ace Keuchel, who has an ERA of 2.48 and a record of 20-8.
With being in Yankee Stadium, the tensions could be high, the emotions might be going crazy, and the pressure might be hard to take. It effected Tanaka but not Keuchel, which doesn't seem right because Tanaka plays in Yankee Stadium a lot. Tanaka pitched 5 innings and gave up 4 hits and 2 home runs with only 3 strike outs. While Keuchel (Who only had a 3 day rest) pitched 6 innings, giving up 0 runs and only 3 hits and 7 strikeouts. Keuchel was the undisputed pitcher who played better. The Astros won and entered the playoffs with the of 3-0.
The two teams show this differences in today's major league baseball. The Yankees- the old players but have history being the best players in history. The Astros- the pinnacle of young suave talent. The era of old players who were once deemed young, is over. The new boys are in town, and they will take over the game. The young men won this time, and they will win again. Out with the old, in with the new.
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