Cubs advance to NLCS in Game 4 win
In the 140-year history of the Chicago Cubs franchise (that's 1876 for those who suck at math), they had never done what they did Tuesday: they clinched a playoff series at home, and they did it against the 100-win Cardinals, the best team in the Majors. This was also the only Division Series that didn't require a Game 5.
The Cubs hit 10 home runs in the four games, six of them in Game 3 and this monster blast by Kyle Schwarber in Game 4, which currently sits atop the right field jumbotron.
A reminder of @kschwarb12's impressive power remains on display. http://t.co/7NtOC13otH pic.twitter.com/gRmdlwU6oT
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 14, 2015
Mets top Dodgers in Game 5, will face Cubs in NLCS
The Mets faced both Kershaw and Greinke twice, and still walked away with an NLCS berth with a 3-2 win in Game 5 on Thursday. Daniel Murphy hit three home runs in the series and was a triple shy of the cycle in Game 5. He hit .333 in the series with five RBI and a stolen base to boot. I suppose this counts as retribution against Chase Utley for his "slide" in Game 2 that took out Ruben Tejada. Utley appealed the subsequent suspension handed to him, and didn't appear in either of the games in New York.
The Mets will throw Matt Harvey in Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday at Citi Field against Jon Lester of the Cubs.
Blue Jays advance to ALCS with dramatic Game 5 win
The Jays punched their ticket to the ALCS in the deciding Game 5 on Wednesday with a tension-filled win over the Texas Rangers. The win wasn't without some controversy, though. In the top of the seventh, a simple throw back to the pitcher instead bounced off Shin-Soo Choo's bat, making it a live ball and allowing Texas to take the lead. Fans threw trash on the field and the Jays decided to play the game under protest. In the end, it didn't matter because Jose Bautista would go mammo in the home half of the inning. Grant Brisbee penned a piece explaining why this game was covered in awesome sauce.
Sam Dyson, the pitcher who gave up the homer, took issue with Jose standing at the plate and emphatically tossing the bat away.
Jose needs to calm that down, just kind of respect the game a little more. He's a huge role model for the younger generation that's coming up playing this game, and I mean he's doing stuff that kids do in Wiffle ball games and backyard baseball. It shouldn't be done.
Dyson wasn't the only one with that opinion. Others, however, had no problem with it.
If there's anytime you should be allowed to pimp a home run.. Dammit that's when you can do it! #dontbesensitive #thatwashuge
— Jason Kipnis (@TheJK_Kid) October 14, 2015
Royals oust Astros with 7-2 win, advance to ALCS vs. Jays
The Royals disposed of the Astros in Game 5 behind Johnny Cueto, who retired the last 19 batters he faced. This series could get interesting as they have a not-so-friendly history. Earlier this year, Josh Donaldson and Edinson Volquez were involved in a benches-clearing incident in Toronto; as were Jose Bautista and Yordano Ventura. These two also faced off way back in the 1985 ALCS, the last year the Royals won the World Series.