If one thing is clear from the MLB playoffs, it’s that their 3000x worse without the A’s. The quality of baseball been high, but the presence of Matt Olson has been zero and therefore, it’s a mediocre showing. Science.
Still, there are key trends and takeaways from the teams vying for the World Series, and it’s best to pay attention while baseball is still around.
Relief pitching is a necessity
Every team standing has a phenomenal pen, and they’ve relied on them more than ever. Starters have thrown short stints all playoffs long, partially because they’ve been bad and partially because there are so many bullpen arms to shoulder the rest of the load.