Before we start the postseason bonanza, let’s take a moment to appreciate this time of year. The NFL and college football are in full swing. Baseball’s playoffs just began. The WNBA postseason is cooking. We have fresh NBA and NHL things to talk about. It’s a beautiful thing.
Back to the bonanza, because that’s what yesterday felt like. Let’s give out some superlatives for playoff teams:
Most Stressed: Las Vegas Aces, Houston Astros
The defending-champion Aces are one defeat away from elimination after an 88-84 loss to New York last night, which is shocking on its face, yet unsurprising if you’ve watched Vegas this season. They are uber-talented and clearly one of the best three teams in the WNBA, but have largely failed to recapture their “it” factor from last season.
Meanwhile, the Astros — who have made seven straight ALCS appearances — are also one loss away from going home after falling in a nervy 3-1 affair to the upstart Tigers yesterday. Tarik Skubal was incredible, and Houston has also struggled to uphold its normal standard of play this year despite winning the AL West.
Most Likely to Succeed: Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Lynx
Kansas City has the juice, after a 1-0 win in Baltimore yesterday, led by starter Cole Ragans and star Bobby Witt Jr. I almost put the Orioles in the previous section, but I don’t even know if “stress” applies to whatever playoff-choke hex is going on here. Baltimore is one loss away from going 0-fer in the postseason the last two years (while averaging 96 regular-season wins a year). Woof.
In Minneapolis, the Lynx wrestled back control of their semifinal series with the Sun after a 77-70 win. Napheesa Collier only had nine points. If they can win with that, I think they run away with this series.
Best Home Run Swagger: Fernando Tatis Jr.
Tatis sent a ball to outer space early in San Diego’s 4-0 win against the Braves yesterday, which felt like a full-circle moment for the one-time superstar who lost his away amid a steroid scandal. I think he found some mojo again:
WELCOME TO THE ELECTRIC FACTORY ⚡️
Fernando Tatis Jr. gets the @Padres #Postseason started with a bang! pic.twitter.com/4mfkGTnW9G
— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2024
Chris Sale won’t be saving Atlanta, either.
Most Impressive Hangover: New York Mets
I don’t know if anyone was actually hungover, but an 8-4 road win against a good Brewers team mere hours after a beer-soaked celebration in Atlanta is moving nonetheless.
We have another stacked MLB day today (more on that in a bit), while the WNBA is off until Friday. Moving on:
