Elephant Rumblings: Yankees, Mets await LCS opponents

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

The divisional round of the MLB playoffs is nearly complete, and both the Mets and Yankees have clinched LCS berths, making conspicuous the possibility of the first Subway Series since 2000. The A’s never had a chance of making the dance this year, but there are still a number of former A’s on the remaining contenders to root for this postseason.

The Guardians, helmed by former A’s catcher and rookie manager Stephen Vogt, fought for their lives in Detroit and prevailed by a 5-4 margin to force a winner-take-all series finale in Cleveland tomorrow.

If the Guardians prevail, a first and second seed will meet in a League Championship Series for the second time since the current playoff format was implemented in 2022. The top seeded Yankees bested the Royals 3-1 yesterday to take the series 3-1 and become this postseason’s first AL team to clinch an LCS berth. With Lou Trivino on the IL, there are no Athletics proxies in pinstripes to cheer on to postseason glory, and former A’s reliever Lucas Erceg saw his season come to an end yesterday.

Today, the matter of who will take on Sean Manaea and the Mets in the NLCS will be decided between the Dodgers and Padres in Los Angeles, my hometown of 26 years. I was raised on the A’s and I’ve always remained loyal to them. And I probably love Baby Giraffe most of all the former A’s still in the postseason—certainly more than Max Muncy, and perhaps a bit more than Blake Treinen, who had a phenomenal run as the A’s closer a few years back. He’s a key high leverage bullpen arm for the Dodgers these days.

But I’ve always felt that absent some compelling preexisting affinity, one should root for their home team. And that is what I will be doing in the stands at Dodger Stadium today. But take note, Jurickson Profar: I promise not to hurl any projectiles onto the field.

Have a wonderful weekend, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• Post-Season: Enjoying The A’s By Proxy
• A’s outfielder Lawrence Butler didn’t technically say that
• A’s Prospect Henry Bolte Homers in Arizona Fall League

MLB News & Interest:

• Yankees ride Cole, clutch singles to top KC, reach ALCS
• Fry saves Guards’ season with pinch HR, clutch bunt to force Game 5
• Rays Assessing Hurricane Damage To Tropicana Field
• Qualifying Offer Value Set At $21.05MM
• Francisco Lindor’s poetic series-clinching slam for Mets soars into October history ($)
• Arizona Fall League notables, from Ethan Salas to Jac Caglianone: Players to watch from each MLB team ($)
• Mookie Betts breaks out of his postseason slump just in time for the Dodgers ($)
• Jorge Polanco Undergoes Knee Surgery
• Braves Fire Hitting Coach Kevin Seitzer
• Today in Baseball History

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