Here's the deal, folks. If you win the World Series one year...it is VERY DIFFICULT to win it again the very next year. It has not been done since the Yankees, 1998-2000. That was three in a row...and that was the Yankees. It takes a certain type of Super-team to win consecutive World Series titles, i.e.: Connie Mack A's of the 30s, A's and Reds of the 70s, Yankees of the 90s.
Now...this is the year we find out whether or not the Houston Astros is that sort of super-team. Because we haven't had a team like that recently. I mean, we've had perennially great teams, like the Giants of the early 2010s, and these Cubs teams nowadays, but...a lot of the W.S. caliber teams, like the Royals, have fallen apart since winning the title.
And the Astros...still look pretty damned strong. They've not only retained the skill of their 2017 roster, without letting many of the players go, but...they might be even stronger. The pitching? Oh my god. If last year's rotation had one or two weaknesses...the only weakness now is some general Dallas Keuchel inconsistency. Plus, the closer issue? Not really a thing anymore, since Roberto Osuna, battery notwithstanding, is holding the fort pretty damned well.
Again, the lineup was pretty worrying for a split second, but now that Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and George Springer are ALL BACK...it's looking a lot better. Yuli Gurriel, for a brief second, was one of the more crucial bats on the team, but now that the weight is a little less on his shoulders, he's breathing a bit easier. Still, this is a team where people like Gurriel and Josh Reddick can step up in a moment of weakness.
This Astros team is still on first, and has managed to fend off Oakland. With a month or so left in the season, they need to hold onto their momentum, and try to make it to another World Series, and keep the dynasty going. I think they've got it in them, but this playoff season might be a particularly tough one to outlast.
Coming Tonight: The Dodgers have so many great pitchers this year, that even this guy, who I was worried about for a second, is having a great year.
Just a note, the Dodgers have never won consecutive World Series either in Brooklyn or LA.
ReplyDelete...why did I think they did, then? sorry, I'll correct that, then.
DeleteThere are some other very good teams out there, and the Astros still struggle a little too much at home, but I think they've got a pretty good shot at a repeat. Not a lock, by any means, but a good shot.
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