Now, baseball actually has a 1981 really feel to it.

There have been already some similarities between the pandemic-shortened season of 2020 and the strike-interrupted model 39 years earlier, however the resemblance is even stronger now that the 4 division sequence are about to begin.

In 1981, the season was break up into two halves, so every division champion from the primary half performed the second-half champ to begin the playoffs. That meant two AL East groups dealing with one another, two AL West groups, two NL East groups and two NL West groups.

That is additionally what we’ve this season within the AL and NL Division Sequence: Rays-Yankees, Astros-Athletics, Braves-Marlins and Dodgers-Padres. It wasn’t deliberate that method. It is simply how the bracket labored out. The groups from the AL Central and NL Central – divisions that did not exist in ’81 – occurred to be knocked out.

With solely 4 groups left in every league, there are actually 16 potential World Sequence matchups for this 12 months. This is a have a look at each – and what would make it fascinating. The matchups are listed in descending order of probability, utilizing likelihood figures from Fangraphs.com heading into Monday’s motion.

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YANKEES-DODGERS (13.0%)

That 1981 postseason ended with a matchup between these outdated rivals – the Dodgers beat New York in six video games – however we’ve not seen it since within the World Sequence. It will be becoming for it to occur in 2020.

ASTROS-DODGERS (11.5%)

By way of pure hostility, that is the matchup to observe for. Houston beat Los Angeles in seven video games within the 2017 World Sequence, however the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal put that victory in a brand new mild, and the Dodgers have not taken kindly to it. Los Angeles reliever Joe Kelly was suspended early this season for throwing pitches close to the heads of Houston hitters.

Dusty Baker, a standout participant for the Dodgers on their 1981 championship crew, now manages the Astros.

YANKEES-BRAVES (9.6%)

New York beat Atlanta for the title in 1996 and 1999, and if these sequence had gone the opposite method, it might be the Braves, not the Yankees, who could be remembered as the massive dynasty of that period.

RAYS-DODGERS (9.2%)

This sequence would pit Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, in opposition to the crew he used to work for. It will not do the identical for David Value, nevertheless. The correct-hander, drafted No. 1 general by Tampa Bay in 2007, opted out of this season for the Dodgers.

ASTROS-BRAVES (8.5%)

These groups had their postseason battles after they have been each within the Nationwide League, and Baker’s presence would add extra intrigue. He is remembered as an All-Star and World Sequence champion with the Dodgers, however he was drafted by the Braves and commenced his huge league enjoying profession with them.

ATHLETICS-DODGERS (7.5%)

This, in fact, was the matchup that gave us Kirk Gibson’s well-known dwelling run off Dennis Eckersley within the 1988 World Sequence. The franchises additionally confronted off in 1974, when Oakland defeated the Dodgers in 5 video games.

RAYS-BRAVES (6.8%)

It is no shock that these groups have little historical past with one another. Atlanta’s victory over Cincinnati was the primary postseason sequence win for the Braves since 2001. The Rays have solely existed since 1998. Atlanta and Tampa Bay are each division champions this 12 months, although.

YANKEES-PADRES (6.7%)

The final time San Diego reached the World Sequence, the 114-win Yankees have been ready and swept the Padres in 1998.

ASTROS-PADRES (5.9%)

When Houston confronted San Diego in the course of the common season, the Padres took three straight video games by a mixed rating of 22-8, capping a seven-game successful streak. That streak included 5 grand slams in a six-game stretch, one among which got here in opposition to the Astros.

ATHLETICS-BRAVES (5.5%)

Consider it or not, there’s an outdated postseason matchup to level to between these franchises: In 1914, the Boston Braves beat the Philadelphia A’s in a four-game sweep within the World Sequence. In all probability doesn’t suggest a lot in Atlanta and Oakland.

RAYS-PADRES (4.7%)

These groups have been commerce companions on a number of events this previous offseason. San Diego acquired Tommy Pham and Jake Cronenworth from Tampa Bay for Hunter Renfroe. The Rays additionally traded reliever Emilio Pagan to the Padres for outfielder Manuel Margot.

ATHLETICS-PADRES (3.8%)

It was once pretty widespread for 2 groups from the identical state to play within the World Sequence, again when the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants have been all in New York. Not too long ago, it is California that has pulled this off probably the most. There was an all-California World Sequence in 1974, 1988, 1989 and 2002 – though none of these concerned San Diego.

Story continues

YANKEES-MARLINS (2.3%)

Loads of storylines right here, together with a rematch of the 2003 World Sequence gained by Florida, and an opportunity for Giancarlo Stanton to face his former crew. However we all know what the dominant angle could be if these two groups make it: Derek Jeter and Don Mattingly going up in opposition to the Yankees.

ASTROS-MARLINS (2.0%)

These are the remaining groups with the worst regular-season data. They mixed to go 60-60. After all, when you go by their 2019 marks, then this begins to appear like maybe the largest mismatch in World Sequence historical past. Houston (107-55) completed 50 video games forward of Miami (57-105) final 12 months.

RAYS-MARLINS (1.6%)

The thought of an all-Florida World Sequence has appeared far fetched for some time, however maybe it might be an applicable solution to end this uncommon season. After all, the World Sequence this 12 months is being performed in Texas regardless of who’s in it.

ATHLETICS-MARLINS (1.3%)

The final time Oakland performed within the World Sequence, the A’s have been swept by Cincinnati in 1990. Billy Hatcher was a thorn within the Athletics’ aspect, going 9 for 12 in that sequence. Hatcher presently coaches first base for the Marlins.

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Comply with Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister

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Extra AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports activities