Only one round away from the World Series and baseball fanatics are already dreaming up potential pairings in the Fall Classic.
Historic MLB franchises make up the postseason’s final four, with all but the American south represented in the field (they’re a baseball region anyway).
The Giants make up the West Coast, Detroit the blue collar Midwest, St. Louis the midway point between east and west coasts, with lastly the Yankees’ giant American following.
Let’s not forget the World Series history of each these clubs. This postseason is not any of their first rodeos in recent years. All of them have played in the championship series in the past decade, some with more experience than others (Yanks, Cards).
For predictions sake, let’s rank the four juiciest potential matchups.
4. San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers
I’m a bit of a history buff and this series, has well, no previous postseason chronicles.
What this matchup does lack in history though, it makes up for in bats. David Freese and Carlos Beltran on one side with Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder in the other dugout makes for a fantasy slugfest.
For those attending those potential games, make sure to bring your glove. Bombs away.
3. St. Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers
No disrespect for the Tigers, but any series with the Yankees makes for more compelling baseball, and why Detroit’s finest is absent from the top two.
Still, the revenge factor is in play for Detroit, from St. Louis’ World Series win over them in 2006.
Justin Verlander vs. the World Champions, as well, will make for some intense drama. The Tigers’ ace will be called on to carry his team not once, nor twice, but possibly three times against an experienced postseason squad.
2. St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Yankees
Bob Gibson won’t be pitching in Game 1, but a rematch of the 1964 World Series would have their host of pitching aces.
C.C. Sabathia, the Yankees rock, pitched an opportune Game 5 performance to get his team into the ALCS, while St Louis’ Chris Carpenter has been one of the most underrated aces of the last decade.
Much like the Series in ’64, this one might go the full seven games.
1. San Francisco Giants vs. New York Yankees
The state of New York would have a conundrum on its hands with Brooklyn’s old team facing its former rival from the Bronx.
With 58 World Series appearances and 33 championship rings between the two teams, the history books would welcome a matchup of these two baseball superpowers. Not to mention a West Coast-East Coast clash that would split the country in two.
They haven’t faced each other in the Fall Classic since 1962, but this one would open historic memories, with too many stars to count
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