A Hanger-Box of 2018 Topps Heritage High Number

We're in dead playoff heat, and to celebrate, here's a hanger box of an update set that itself needs an update set, Topps High Number. I'm praying that Topps Update won't have the same early production cutoff issues as this set did.

So, we'll do this: I'm still gonna be counting outdated cards, players who've been traded since the product was designed, but I'm gonna see how that total relates to the number of players who are CURRENTLY in playoff action. If they're not on their team's roster, or if they played for a team that lost the Wild Card game, I'm not counting them. Let's see which number wins.

671- Carlos Gomez. These next few are dupes.
569- Greg Holland. Outdated Update #1- ended the year in Washington.
572- Tyler Skaggs
687- Roberto Perez. Playoff Contender #1- the backup catcher is indeed on the Indians' playoff roster.
587- Brandon McCarthy. Not on the Braves' playoff roster, due to his impending retirement.
680- Cheslor Cuthbert
592- Yairo Munoz. The rest of this box are all needs for me.
565- Dan Otero. Playoff Contender #2, as he's definitely a needed presence in the Indians' pen.
697- Brad Boxberger. Heck of a comeback year.
594- Harrison Musgrave. Playoff Contender #3, a must-have on the Rockies' pen.
681- Kelby Tomlinson
621- Ross Stripling. Playoff Contender #4, definitely starting soon for LA.
626- Rajai Davis. Uhhmmm...he's not confirmed for the Indians' playoff 25-man as I write this, so I'll chalk this up to a 'no', but...it might end up happening.
614- Will Smith. If his Players Weekend nickname wasn't 'Fresh Prince'...
628- Cameron Maybin. Outdated Update #2, ended the year in Seattle.
677- Jacob Nottingham. Didn't make Milwaukee's.
Rookie Performers of RHYS HOSKINS. ALL RIGHT!!
713- Matt Kemp SHORT PRINT. And Playoff Contender #5, as he'll definitely be playing for the Dodgers this October, along with...
Award Winners of Cody Bellinger, Playoff Contender #6
685- Eric Lauer
669- AJ Minter, Playoff Contender #7, as he's been closing for Atlanta
637- Joe Jimenez
513- Jaime Garcia. Outdated Update #3, finished in Chicago
602- CESAR HERNANDEZ. Philly hero.
511- Scott Kingery, another fun Phillie this year.
624- Nick Ahmed
665- CHASE UTLEY. A fitting (probably) final issue for Chut, who is, yes, Playoff Contender #8.
698- Merandy Gonzalez
542- Marco Gonzales
562- Joe Kelly. Another guy that's not exactly confirmed yet for the Sox' pen, though...it's pretty likely.
631- Robert Gsellman.
556- Mike Fiers...Outdated Update #4, pictured as a Tiger, finished in Oakland. Would have been Contender #9 had I written this before the WC games.
683- Andrew Cashner
696- Tyler Austin. Outdated Update #5, now on the Twins.
555- Matt Moore

Playoff Contenders win 8 to 5, which is nice. Got some nice stuff in here, even though I only pulled one Yankee.

NLDS' Preview: The Games Truly Begin

These two are already getting things underway in Milwaukee, with a Brewers lead as I write this, thanks to Christian, but Colorado, Nolan Arenado, and Antonio Senzatela's pitching won't be counted out. Hoping for a smooth, enjoyable series between these two.

As for the other matchup...

Folty, a guy who was once deemed too wild to pitch for Houston, and Ryu, a guy who was barely cut from the Dodgers' roster prior to this season, will face off in LA. Either of these two could win, and both have gotten some nice momentum as of late, but only one will.

Hope to see some fantastic playoff baseball from these four teams.

AL Wild Card: Inevitability

I was thinking the game would end in a Yankees win, but I'd hoped it would be closer than that.

I dunno, something about this bullpen brought out the best in the Yankee bats, with Judge and Stanton going yard, and RBIs from Hicks and Voit, making it a deserved win for one of the best hitting teams of the year. And I'm also pretty happy with Luke Voit for going from a no-name St. Louis farmhand to the starting first baseman of a playoff Yankee team. Hats off to him.

The Yanks will need to prepare for this Red Sox series, but they seem to have the momentum, and they seem to have a knack for penetrating shoddy bullpens, so it could go pretty well.

As for the losing squad...

I'll be honest, I really liked this A's team. I thought their shoestring-budget approach and minimalistic way of putting a team together was pretty nice, and the way they scooped up players past the deadline was insanely crafty. This was a team that could have been fun in October, but...either way, with the strength of competition, may not have lasted too long.

I really hope they can keep the basis of this squad together and make another run next year, because there was something refreshingly fun about these guys.

TONIGHT: NL BATTLES.

AL Wild Card Preview: It Surely Can't be This Easy

On paper, this is a 'no contest' sort of thing: the 100-win Yankees, a team that set the record for home runs, against the cinderella A's. However, I do think the A's have every right to be here, and I predict this one could go into extras, and be even more of a stalemate than the Cubs-Rockies game. Having witnessed a Yankees-A's matchup earlier this year...one that went into extras and became more of a pitching battle than anything, I know how tough this team can be, even if underestimated. So while the home runs and power of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit could lead to an easy victory...

We simply cannot forget how crafty, and skilled, this A's team has become, especially since gradually retooling their bullpen, refocusing the outfield on young talent, and letting Matt Chapman lead the way. People like Stephen Piscotty and Mike Fiers, who've been at the mercy of teams of late, have been fantastic this year, and a team that could have been in fourth all year has risen to the challenge.

Obviously you know where my rooting points are, but I'm just expecting a fun baseball game. Knowing these two teams, that's probably what we're gonna get.

NL Wild Card: Triumph in Extras

I wasn't certain the Rockies could pull it off, even as I went to bed with a 1-0 lead in the seventh, but they surprised me. Along with the rest of the viewing audience.

The game-winning RBI came from backup catcher Tony Wolters, who, if he wasn't a hero in Denver before, certainly has to be now. Great bullpen work came from Seung-Hwan Oh, Adam Ottavino (despite giving up the Cubs' sole run), Wade Davis, Chris Rusin and Scott Oberg. And, of course, the presence of guys like Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon made this team even more of a shoo-in for a playoff appearance.

As for the team they silenced...

It's a little sad to see this Cubs team get eliminated so soon, especially after what fans thought was a shoo-in for first seed, but they still had a fantastic season, and this is clearly not the end of their 2010s reign. I imagine they've got enough still in the tank for another playoff run next year, and enough young stars that can stay around to establish a new great team.

Obviously Cubs-Brewers would have been the more dramatic matchup, but I'm still happy we got this one, and I'm sure the Rockies are gonna be more than formidable against the first-seeded Brewers.

Tonight...my Yankees take on the cinderella A's.

NL Wild Card Game Preview: Sudden Death

We go into the playoff with two teams that both have a lot to prove, mostly that they belong in the playoffs they were, until recently, guaranteed a spot in. The Cubs have landed in the past 3 NLCS', have won a World Series, and have spent most of the season on top of the NL Central. Them, plus the ever-ballistic bat of Daniel Murphy, are out for vengeance tonight, hoping to have a rematch with Milwaukee next week.

But, in their way...

The team that nearly kept the Dodgers out of first, with some of the most impressive offensive abilities of the year, and with some surprising improvement from their bullpen and rotation. The Rockies have proved that they've come a long way from being a first round ouster last year, so on a night where history could very well repeat itself, Wade Davis and the Rockies are gonna do their best to defy the odds, take down the Cubs and waltz into October.

It could go either way, and while I'm rooting for the underdogs here, I'd love if either team won and got to play the Brewers later on. Hope it's a nice game.

Predicting the Playoffs: 2018

Well, now that we have our matchups and seeds, I can finally write this post.

I can definitely say that these matchups to end regulation were a fun way to lead into the playoffs, with Lorenzo Cain's RBI and Cody Bellinger's home run clinching things for those teams, and giving the teams that were about to settle for Wild Card spots their respective divisions. So...now the matchups that I THOUGHT were about to happen have been completely flipped. Now the Dodgers HAVE clinched their umpteenth NL West, and the Brewers have delegated the 2-time NL Central champs to Wild Card status.

But...that doesn't make my inability to predict things correctly any less valid. As usual, pre-playoffs, I'm going to run down each playoff matchup, and give my opinion as to how it will go, and my odds. All the way down to the World Series. I don't expect to be right. If I'm right, then baseball's too predictable, and we can't have that.

AL Wild Card: Athletics vs. Yankees

Moneyball III vs. Aaron Boone Part I. I see this being one heck of a game. Either this is going to be a complete blowout on both sides, with only a battle of the long ball separating the two, or it'll be a slow burn pitching battle, possibly between two tough arms, neither of which have been formally announced yet. Still, this is a matchup between two teams with generally equal momentum, both of which could do well in the playoffs. But...I am giving the edge to New York, solely because I think they can outhit the A's, and because I think this team can get the better of their pitching staff. It may be close, and it may come down to extras, but I see a Yankee victory for a second straight AL Wild Card game.
Verdict: Yanks over A's.

NL Wild Card: Rockies vs. Cubs

Battle of the teams who were in first the other day. I'm gonna be controversial with this pick. Looking at this one from afar, it's obvious: the Chicago Cubs have the better team, they have the more skilled, varied roster, and they've been preparing for this run for half the year. But in the last week, they've dropped some crucial games, especially down the stretch. Yes, they won enough to oust the Cardinals from competition (thank you, by the way), but they dropped some games to the Pirates in their last series. So, they're going into a Wild Card game they didn't think they'd be in...vulnerable. Against a team that built up a ton of momentum towards the end. The game's in Chicago rather than Denver, so it should level the playing field, but the Rockies have Kyle Freeland going up against Jon Lester, which gives them the edge, even the Cubs do bring their a-game offensively. I'm going to have to give this one to the Rox, as disappointing as this must be for Cubs fans expecting a virtual 4-peat in the NLCS.
Verdict: Rox over Cubs.

ALDS Part 1: Indians vs. Astros

2016 AL Champs vs. 2017 AL Champs. This one I see going all five games. I see blowouts, but I don't see this series being a sweep for either team, solely because they're in similar places. These are two routinely-great teams facing against inevitability. The Indians are still smarting from their 1st-round ouster last year, but the Astros are the defending champs, and they look just as strong. What worries me is that the Tribe played in the least competitive division in the leagues, and have the lowest record of the playoff teams. They also have a few more problem areas than Houston, as there are a few fill-in players that are starting due to lack of options. They're, once again, the more vulnerable team. And seeing as I think Houston might go on another playoff tear, this all but spells doom for the Indians.
Verdict: Stros over Tribe in 5.

ALDS Part 2: Yankees vs. Red Sox

The Age-Old Rivalry, Yet Again. Look...with these predictions, I try not to look at these at face value, and I try and actually think about what these will be like in real life. So...let's be honest with ourselves. The Sox just dropped two out of three to the Yankees. They've also lost some matches in the last few weeks to Cleveland, Houston, and...Baltimore. So the Sox are slowing down, hence those Yankee losses. Meanwhile, the Yankees are only heating up. And even if the Sox keep people like Eduardo Rodriguez, Steven Wright and Brian Johnson out of the picture, the Yankees may sink this 'best team of the year'. This is, after all, a battle between two 100-win teams, and teams with major home run hitters. The Yankees have enough to go toe-to-toe with Boston...and they might get the last laugh.
Verdict: Yankees over Sox in 4. They get that 3rd win at the stadium.

NLDS Part 1: Braves vs. Dodgers

1990s Perennial Division Champs vs. 2010s Perennial Division Champs. Another tricky one. The Dodgers do have the momentum, but the Braves aren't too shabby either, and might be the craftier team. The Dodgers may have bigger guns at their disposal, but the Braves have a loaded bench and bullpen, and can play the long game better than arguably anyone in this postseason. This one will probably go all five, and come down to whose pitching can outlast the other's...and the Dodgers may pull this one out at the last second. I expect this to come down to an eighth-or-ninth inning homer off of Pederson or Puig.
Verdict: Dodgers over Braves in 5.

NLDS Part 2: Rockies vs. Brewers

The 'Wasn't This Supposed to be the NL Wild Card game' matchup. And, suddenly, the Brewers are the top-seeded team in the game, and the Rockies are the underdogs. I love the fact I can say that. This one also might go all five games, and exhaust the home-run-hitting abilities of both squads, even with the recent additions of both Matt Holliday and Curtis Grandson respectively. However...it may just come down to the better team winning, and here that might just be the Brewers. In this matchup, the Rockies could very well squeeze through, but there's more probability for the Brewers to take it, especially on the wings of the Yelich-Cain combo.
Verdict: Brewers over Rockies in 5.

ALCS: Astros vs. Yankees

 The 2017 ALCS Rematch. And this year may have a ton more stakes, as the Yankees are trying to break into the mainstream, and the Astros are trying to hold onto a dynasty. That said...like last year, this one might not be especially close. The Yankees will definitely win at least one, but I see the Astros running away with this one easily. I just think they're the better team, and that they deserve to be back in the World Series. Even if the Yanks have one or two major power moments, I don't see them advancing to a World Series this year, sadly. Not ruling it out for this century, though.
Verdict: Astros over Yankees in 5.

NLCS: Dodgers vs. Brewers

 Perennial Winners vs. Ultimate Underdogs. Both of these teams have a reason to win, and it could very well be a rematch of the 2017 series...HOWEVER...I think the Brewers have an edge here that the Dodgers don't have. I think they've got a bit more versatility, and can retain momentum, to the point where they make this one look relatively easy as well, sad to say for any Dodgers fans. And that's kind of reassuring, as this Brewers team has been unlucky as of late, and it'd be fantastic if they truly went the distance, especially against a monolithic team like the Dodgers.
Verdict: Brewers over Dodgers in 6.

World Series: Brewers vs. Astros

 Battle of the League Jumpers. I think this one will go all seven. Both teams will want this badly. The Brewers have never won a World Series, and are still smarting from letting the Cardinals stomp over them in 1982. The Astros have only won 1, and are trying their best to hold onto their dynasty. Both have a ton to prove, and this will be one nail-biter after another, with several career-making moments from both sides. I imagine names like Alex Bregman, Eric Thames, Gerrit Cole and Gio Gonzalez will go down in WS history. And after all 7 games...I predict Evan Gattis will end in a walk off. And the Astros will have earned the hell out of this one.

Even if it's not as dramatic as that, I firmly believe that the Astros will repeat as World Champions. Over Milwaukee. It may be bold, but bold statements like that get you ahead in life.