MLB: Verlander, Judge, Puig and Co.: What we have learned so far

In the MLB playoffs, Houston Astros beat the Yankees 2-0 in the ALCS and the Los Angeles Dodgers won their opening game against the Chicago Cubs in the National League.What have we learned so far?Here is an overview.Included: Justin Verlander, Aaron Judge and a suddenly tame Yasiel Puig.SPOX presents selected games of the Playoffs 2017 in the LIVESTREAM FOR FREE.

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Justin Verlander is worthy of a World Series

The Astros have not made it through despite a 2-0 lead.Not by a long shot.But after this incredible performance by Verlander they have the Yankees in their rearview mirror.What a show: In a time when the starting pitcher are throwing fewer and fewer innings, when relievers are throwing more and more decisive, it was an appeal to past signs: all nine innings, 124 pitches, 13 strikeouts, only one earned run.

In front of supermodel friend Kate Upton’s eyes, the 34-year-old showed that he can still dominate like in 2011, when he won the Cy-Young Award and was crowned MVP at the same time.”Great moments are for great performers,”said Manager A. J.13 strikeouts in a Complete Game were last in the postseason 2010 (Tim Lincecum), even after more than 100 pitches the Radar Gun still showed 97 miles.

Verlander has already won everything in his career – except the World Series.He himself was more satisfied than ever after his performance.And I’d like to repeat it again.On the big stage.If the Yankees should come back in the series, they would have to play Verlander again in Game 6 at the latest.And in a potential World Series?Decline vs.Kershaw?We’ll still be able to dream, won’t we?

Aaron Judge needs his mojo back

MLB playoffs are not really for statisticians.The sport is far too unpredictable on short distances, everyone has a few weak days in a row.In the Regular Season, this is part of it, and in October every At-Bat is suddenly analysed as if there were no tomorrow.

The bad news is that if Aaron Judge keeps on like this, there won’t really be any more tomorrow but only a dull off-season.The Yankees’ best player is in a crisis – and he’s up to his neck.Yeah, it was just another game.Yes, it was Justin Verlander.Yeah, you can’t expect him to win single-handed games.

But the statistics of the last few weeks look really bad.He was still strong in the Wild Card Game against the Twins.After that: seven games, two hits, one run, two RBI.His playoff average crashed. 129.In the last five games, he has won 14 strikes – almost three per game.Now it’s back to home Yankee Stadium.If he doesn’t find his way into the trail, there won’t be a return to Houston…

Gary Sanchez too often misses the mark

For fans of Bronx Bombers it’s no surprise: Sanchez doesn’t crawl behind the Home Plate because of his outstanding skills as a catcher.Rather, it is his momentum that often obscures defensive skills. 16 Passed Balls in the season were league leaders, and shortly before the start of the playoffs there was once again public support from manager Joe Girardi.

In Match 2, his ninth-leg clop cost the Yankees a chance to win.That’s what happens,” Sanchez accepted the blame:”In the end, he’s out if I don’t drop the ball,” his skipper said:”If he saves the ball, it’s an out.” Sanchez will still give the catcher in Game 3, but he’s just too important for that offensively.But: One more such mistake and the Yankees will consider in the off-season whether it is not possible to place him in another position.

Yasiel Puig wants to be your friend

Whether he had more fun at baseball or not, Yasiel Puig was asked after the opening victory of the Dodgers:”When I was five years old,”was his answer, presented with a grin.It somehow fits the child’s mind of Puig, who would have torpedoed his career almost several times in recent years with a lack of maturity.However, the 26-year-old now seems to have left these times behind him.

Instead, Puig, darling of the public, is the best weapon of the Dodgers so far in this postseason.Seven hits in four games, four of them for two or more bases.He was also the match winner against the Cubs – and was celebrated by his teammates:”Yasi brings the fire in with us,”said Chris Taylor,”He motivates everyone and lives out his emotions openly”.

On social media he was quite tame after the game.When he was criticized by TV presenter Keith Olbermann for his bat flips – they are apparently only allowed on homeruns – he corrected as follows:”I only flip my racket on singles and doubles, not on Homers.Come to the stadium and look at it.Do you need a ticket?I’m your husband.” And garnished it with the hash tag #PuigYourFriendToo and a smiley.Even Olbermann couldn’t help but apologize.

For the Cubs, it’s only now that things really get going

Five close matches against Nationals, in which the Starting Pitcher were all stretched to their limits, then the plane to Los Angeles had to make a stopover due to a medical emergency: No wonder that Joe Maddon waited until the last moment with the announcement of his starter on Saturday and finally sent newcomer Jose Quintana into the race.Some observers even thought it was only possible to play with reliefs.

Quintana had to take it, just two days after his appearance in Match 5 against Washington.Away against Kershaw and the well-rested Dodgers.Even if Maddon didn’t “give up”: The chances of a victory were rather small.

In the night on Monday (1.30 a. m. live on DAZN) the world looks much better for the defending champion: Jon Lester (against Rich Hill) gets the ball, the hardened playoff veteran stands in his last six playoff games at an ERA of 1.86. The ERA is the best of both worlds.For this purpose, Closer Wade Davis is ready for operation again.What is missing is the rest of the bull’s bullpen, which showed weaknesses last time, but maybe you have found a secret weapon with starter John Lackey: In game 1 he got the last five outs without an opponent’s run.

The next dates

American League Championship Series 2017

National League Championship Series 2017

This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.