MLB Division Series Preview!

Do the D-Backs have a chance? (yes). Can the Phillies really take out the Braves? (YES). Is the world gonna fall in love with the Orioles? (You bet!). Is Carlos Correa gonna take out the Astros? (:O)

Apologies to the Dodger haters. I had to use this photo of Mookie Betts celebrating with fans after hitting a homer just in case the Dodgers get bounced in the first round again. The guy on the phone was talking to his nine-months-pregnant wife. He told Mookie before that at-bat that he would name his daughter “Mookie” if he homered. Mookie then hit what I believe was the longest homer of his career. The guy came through and named his daughter Francesca “Mookie” Mancuso two weeks later. Google this. It really happened. Mookie tried to get him not to do it LMAO. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

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HI friends-

Some housekeeping:

1. A reminder that there will be no Lab Zoom this Saturday as I’m traveling to Atlanta for the NLDS. We will hopefully resume our Labs the following Saturday, playoff schedule permitting.

2. I now have three free paid subscriptions to give out to anyone who would like to be able to read all my newsletters and participate in our chats. These were gifted from generous donors. Just email me and let me know if you would like one, but haven’t been able to afford one, and I will hook you up.

OK, now on to baseball!

RANGERS VS. ORIOLES

JoeBlogs

and I had all the same picks for the wild-card series, and we both went two for four. We each thought the Rays would win because the Rangers pitching staff is awful. Welp, Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi both shoved, but the Rays did not help themselves by failing to hit and catch the ball. The Rangers swept Tampa, and here is the only analysis of the Rays you need, courtesy of David Roth:

Anyway, the Rangers are moving on, and they will face a TERRIFIC Orioles team. Here is a wonderful O’s analysis from a brilliant Long Game reader and Baltimore diehard fan named Dan Park: