The 2020 MLB Postseason presses on, and after the American League Divisional Series (ALDS) matchups have been set, the National League (NL) has followed suit. The NLDS series is set to go as the postseason bubble is going to be set to begin.
The eight NL teams that played in the Wildcard series have been cut down to four, and they will head to Texas for the 2020 MLB Postseason bubble. The two locations in Texas being used are Minute Maid Park in Houston and Globe Life Field in Arlington. On top of that, the 2020 World Series will also be held at Globe Life Field.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will face off against the San Diego Padres in the 2020 NLDS matchup at the MLB Postseason Bubble. On the other hand, the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves will square off in a battle of the NL East division for a chance to play in the 2020 National League Championship Series (NLCS).
Los Angeles Dodgers (1) v.s. Milwaukee Brewers (8)
The 2020 World Series favorite Los Angeles Dodgers were able to punch their ticket to the NLDS after being the first team to clinch the postseason. They would go on and sweep the Brewers in two games after a masterful performance by Clayton Kershaw solidified the victory in game two to clinch the series.
The Dodgers have been favorites for the World Series for a while, and a deep run in the 2020 MLB Postseason run seems to be in store. The Brewers, on the other hand, are exiting the MLB Postseason in the Wildcard round for the second season in a row after clinching the eight seed in the expanded playoffs.
San Diego Padres (4) v.s. St. Louis Cardinals (5)
It would take three games for the San Diego Padres to advance, but they would defeat the St. Louis Cardinals to move on to the NLDS. The Padres outscored the Cardinals 19- 16 in the three-game set.
Newly hired Padres manager Jayce Tingler had to get creative with his pitching staff, he was able to get a nine-inning, nine pitcher shutout to move onto the NLDS. This is the first time the Padres have won a postseason series since the 1998 season.
Chicago Cubs (3) v.s. Miami Marlins (6)
In a shocking turn of events, the COVID-19 ridden Miami Marlins were able to punch their ticket to the postseason and sweep the Chicago Cubs to advance to the NLDS. The Marlins will head into the MLB Postseason bubble in Texas, being 7-0 in playoff series during the franchise’s existence.
The Marlins swept the Cubs, showing that the unlikely is possible as they string together some incredible performances from young pitchers like Sandy Alcantara and rookie Sixto Sanchez who aided in holding the Cubs to just a solo home run in the two-game series.
Atlanta Braves (2) v.s. Cincinnati Reds (7)
In another tale of shutouts, the Atlanta Braves held the Cincinnati Reds off the scoreboard, outscoring them 6-0 in two games. Game one saw Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer put up an unreal showing, but the game would stay tied 0-0 and would head into extra innings, being decided in the bottom of the thirteenth inning by a Freddie Freeman single.
The Braves were able to quiet the Reds, advancing to the NLDS, where they will take on the unlikely Marlins organization. The Reds will go home after having hoped to make a splash in the postseason, similar to the Chicago White Sox in the American League; hopefully, they can return during the 2021 season.
Looking Ahead
As the 2020 Wildcard Series has been completed, the NLDS will be kicked off. By October 12th, the next set of games will be solidified for the NLCS. The 2020 World Series will also be completed at Globe Life Field in Arlington, where an NLDS matchup and the NLCS are also being held.
Now it is time to strap in as eight teams will compete to continue their respective postseason run(s). In the NL, it will be four teams looking to get into the NLCS for a shot at the World Series.
