It's been a very exciting MLS postseason. In the American League we have two teams that haven't been to a World Series in 30 years. In the National League we have two teams that are making a habit of playing in the NLCS. None of the division series went to a full 5 games. The last time that happened was in 2009. There were plenty of terrific, edge of your seat moments but for me there are 5 that stood out above the rest.
5) Clayton Kershaw loses Game 1 after being spotted a 6-1 lead
For most people who watched baseball this season there was no doubt who the best pitcher in baseball was. Clayton Kershaw was outstanding, You could almost guarantee a win every time he took the mound this season for the Dodgers. So when LA gave Kershaw a 6-1 lead in Game 1 of the NLDS, most figured the Dodgers would easily go up one game to none over St. Louis. Then, the 7th inning happened. The Cardinals exploded for 8 runs, 6 of which were attributed to Kershaw. Matt Carpenter delivered the fatal blow with a bases clearing double and that 6-1 lead for the Dodgers turned into a 7-6 deficit. St. Louis would win the game 10-9 and it seemed like the Dodger never could quite recover from the shocking game 1 defeat.
Cardinals 8 Run 8th Inning
4) Kansas City Royals extra inning magic
Not many people gave Kansas City much of a chance just to get past Oakland in the wild card game. So once they did that there was no way they would beat the team with the best record in baseball, right. Well not only did they beat the Angels they swept them. In the first 2 games of the 3 game sweep the Royals needed extra innings to notch victories. They also did it with the long ball, KC only hit 95 home runs in the regular season, but in the postseason they made it look easy. Its those extra inning wins made America fall in love with this Kansas City squad.
Eric Hosmer 11th Inning HR
3) Yusmeiro Petit throws 6 scoreless in 18 inning marathon
This postseason gave us the longest game in postseason history and Petit's performance stole the headlines from Jordan Zimmerman who at one point retired 20 Giants in a row. The Nats lost game 1 at home and desperately needed this game to not go down 0-2 heading to San Francisco. Petit came into the game in the 12th inning and in his 6 innings of work he allowed just 1 hit walked 3 and struck out 7. The Nats could not get anything going against him, and then in the top of the 18th Brandon Belt hit the deciding HR that basically ended the series.
Petit's Scoreless Relief
2) Matt Adams' 3 Run HR in Game 4
Sorry Dodger fans but one teams heartbreak is another teams great moment. Game 4 the Dodgers sent Kershaw back to the mound in a must win game. Game 4 really didn't go much differently than game 1. Kershaw looked good early, the Dodgers gave him a lead, and he couldn't hold onto it. Now you can debate whether or not Don Mattingly should've take him out in either game 1 or 4. But lets be honest, is there a better pitcher in the bullpen that you would put in over a guy like Kershaw, probably not. Well he didnt and maybe that's why the Dodgers aren't moving on.
Matt Adams go ahead HR
1) Delmon Young's bases clearing double
This could be looked at as extremely bias, but I don't care. For most of Game 2 the Orioles were trailing the Detroit Tigers and it looked like the Tigers were about to tie the series up heading to Detroit. Then, the Tigers bullpen made an appearance and it was all over for Detroit. Steve Pearce singled in a run, then JJ Hardy walked to set the stage for Delmon Young. Young had great postseason numbers and he didnt wait long to send Detroit fans into a deep depression. With the crowds response and what the hit meant to the outcome of the series, Delmon Young's 3 run double was for me the top moment of the Division Series.
Delmon Young 3 run double
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