MLB Post Season | Graphic by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
After a delayed start to the 2022 Major League Baseball season due to a lockout, the playoffs have finally arrived as the 162-game season draws to a close.
A historic season
From Aaron Judge reaching 62 home runs and Albert Pujols notching career home run number 700, the regular season has been nothing short of historical.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the postseason includes a thrilling new setup: an expanded playoff format.
Wildcard matchups
The wildcard matchups featured the Cleveland Guardians versus the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners versus Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres versus New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cleveland took both games from Tampa Bay, moving on to the American League Division Series and keeping its magical season alive. The Guardians are the third youngest team in the MLB with one of the lowest payrolls. The Mariners took both games from the Blue Jays and advanced to the ALDS in its first playoff appearance since 2001.
The Padres took down the Mets in three games, moving on to the National League Division Series. The Phillies swept the Cardinals in the wildcard round to move on to the NLDS as well. With the Cardinals’ loss, the storied careers of Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright come to an end as each have opted to retire.
Division series
The Phillies took on the defending champion Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. The Phillies ultimately won the series 3-1, advancing to the championship series for the first time since 2010.
The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off in the other NLDS. The rivalry went to four games with the Padres winning the series 3-1. With the win, the Padres moved on to the NLCS for the first time since 1998.
The Mariners team continued its run into the ALDS, taking on the Houston Astros. Houston won out against the Mariners in three games, with the final game of the series lasting 18 innings.
The Guardians took on the New York Yankees in a very exciting series, with the Yankees winning the series in a deciding game five. Both game two and four were postponed due to inclement weather, raising questions among fans about the integrity of the series.
With the Guardians up in the series 2-1, game four was set to take place in The Bronx, New York, and the Yankees wanted the game postponed due to rain. The Guardians, on the other hand, wanted to play. The MLB ultimately decided to postpone the game into the next day, where the Yankees won and ended the Guardians’ season.
Championship series
The Yankees and the Astros faced off in the ALCS for the third time since 2017. Houston took the series 4-0, making this the fourth time in six years that the team will be in the World Series.
The Phillies and Padres played in the NLCS. Both teams have not had postseason success in years, with the Padres not playing in the series since 1998 and the Phillies since 2010. The Phillies won the series 4-1, sending the team to the championship against the Astros.
Watch more October magic on Fox Sports as the World Series is underway on Friday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.
