MLB: 2016 Season Review
The 2016 Major League Baseball season was one that will go down in history as the season the curse finally ended; Chicago, 108 years in the making, has it's elusive World Series title thanks to a 103-win season, two MVP candidates, three Cy Young worth pitchers, and a fortuitous rain delay.
Great performances from hitters and pitchers, down-to-the-wire ballgames, Hall of Famers playing their final games, and much more made 2016 a great ride. I will break down the past season, looking at the top 10 playoff moments, final team rankings, my Cy Young and MVP standings, and a quick preview of next season.
However, before we get to the main portion of the article; check out our World Series Preview, done by Blake Stoll (4-5 record in the playoffs ) and I (4-5), and a quick review of the World Series.
No. 1 Chicago Cubs (4-3) over Cleveland Indians.
Top Hitter: Ben Zobrist (LF) -- 10/28, 2 RBI.
Top Pitcher: Jake Arrieta (SP) 2-0, 2.38 ERA.
Top 10 Playoff Moments:
1. Chicago Ends 108-Year-Old Drought in Win vs. Cleveland in World Series Game 7:
Game 7 is always an event when it comes to professional sports, and this edition was no let down. In arguably the greatest baseball game of this generation, the Chicago Cubs took down the Cleveland Indians 8-7, in 10 innings, to win their first championship since 1908. "I feel like we played nine years," catcher David Ross said. Ben Zobrist's RBI double in the top of the 10th gave Chicago the lead that they would not relinquish, taking home the title. "Hey, the Cubs are World Series champions," owner Tom Ricketts said.
2. Addison Russell's 4-Run Grand Slam vs. Cleveland in World Series Game 6:
The Cubs were looking dead in the water when they trailed 3-1 against the Indians, prior to Game 5 in Chicago. After a Game 5 victory, most expected Cleveland to take home the championship back home in Game 6. Addison Russell and the Cubbies had a different idea; with a 3-0 lead in the 4th inning, Russell all but finished any hopes of a comeback by knocking a grand slam into deep centerfield. Chicago won the game 9-3, Russell finished with 6 RBI.
3. David Ortiz Retires After 4-3 Loss vs. Cleveland in ALDS Game 3:
It's rare that a team that was eliminated in the first round, being swept by their opponents, would be so high on a rankings list, but that is how special David Ortiz was to this league. Ortiz is one of the best players of all-time, and the best designated hitter in the history of MLB. He finished with 541 homeruns and 1,768 RBI, including 38 bombs and 127 RBI in his final season. Even though the Red Sox failed to win a postseason game, let alone advance, Ortiz's farewell is still one of the most memorable moments of the playoffs. Ortiz joins former Yankees Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira as potential Hall of Famers that called it a career in 2016.
4. Chicago Advances to World Series with 5-0 Win vs. Los Angeles in NLCS Game 6:
The Billy Goat. The Black Cat. Leon Durham. Steve Bartman. Curse, after curse, after curse. At points, it seemed like we would never see the Chicago Cubs advance to the World Series. Then Theo Epstein came to town, hired Joe Maddon, brought up Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, signed Jon Lester, traded for Jake Arrieta and Aroldis Chapman, and all of a sudden; the Cubs became a powerhouse. The World Series chase came to fruition when the Loveable Losers defeated Clayton Kershaw and Co. 5-0 in Game 6 of the NLCS.
5. Francisco Lindor's 2-Run Home Run vs. Toronto in ALCS Game 1:
Corey Kluber and Marco Estrada were locked in a scoreless battle, until Francisco Lindor knocked one out of Progressive Field to give the Tribe a 2-0 lead, which they would turn into a Game 1 victory. That win set the tone for the series, in which the Indians blew past the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1.
6. Clayton Kershaw's Save in 4-3 Win vs. Washington in NLDS Game 5:
“It surprised me, but at the same time, that’s (Clayton) Kershaw," first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. "He’s willing to do anything for the team. That’s why he’s our leader, and that’s why he’s the best pitcher in the game.” Kershaw, who threw 110 pitches in 6.2 innings, two days earlier, came into Game 5 against the Washington Nationals to help his team advance to the Championship Series. In his first career save, Kershaw kept the Dodgers' playoff hopes alive, sending the Nationals home.
7. Edwin Encarnacion's 3-Run Walk-Off vs. Baltimore in AL Wild Card:
The Blue Jays and Orioles were locked in a 2-2 extra inning game, trading blows throughout, as neither team was able to pull away, until Edwin Encarnacion stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 11th inning. Encarnacion smacked a 3-run shot into high left field, sending the Blue Jays to the ALDS against the Texas Rangers.
8. Chicago's 4-Run 9th Inning Comeback vs. Giants in NLDS Game 4:
San Francisco was leading the Cubs 5-2 going into the top of the 9th inning. With a win, the Giants would have tied the series at 2 games apiece, heading back to Chicago for a decisive Game 5. Instead, the Cubs erupted for 4 runs in the inning, taking a 6-5 lead. Bryant and Rizzo got on the start the inning, before Zobrist roped a double down the right field line to cut into the lead. Wilson Contreras tied the game with a 2 RBI single, before Javier Baez gave Chicago the 6-5 advantage with another single. Aroldis Chapman would come in to secure the Cubs' comeback win.
9. Josh Donaldson's Game-Winning Slide in 7-6 Win vs. Texas in ALDS Game 3:
Even though Toronto's postseason did not go as far as they would have liked, their run was extremely eventful. After Encarnacion's walk off home run against the Orioles, Josh Donaldson eliminated the Rangers with great hustle. We don't expect anything less from a former AL MVP, but Donaldson's work ethic; to get from second base to sliding in at home on an infield ground ball that was mishandled at first base, was incredible to see live.
10. Conor Gillaspie's 3-Run Home Run vs. New York in NL Wild Card:
This seems like it was such a long time ago, but Conor Gillaspie's homer against the New York Mets, on the second day of the MLB playoffs, was a great way to get the postseason started. Gillaspie, who is far from a household name, was able to break up the scoreless pitchers' duel between Noah Syndergaard and Madison Bumgarner, sending a 3-run home run into right-center field at Citi Field, eliminating the defending National League champions.
Final Rankings:
1. Cubs (103-58, 11-6)
2. Indians (94-67, 10-5)
3. Dodgers (91-71, 5-6)
4. Blue Jays (89-73, 5-4)
5. Nationals (95-67, 2-3)
6. Rangers (95-67, 0-3)
7. Red Sox (93-69, 0-3)
8. Giants (87-75, 2-3)
9. Orioles (89-73, 0-1)
10. Mets (87-75, 0-1)
11. Tigers (86-75)
12. Cardinals (86-76)
13. Mariners (86-76)
14. Yankees (84-78)
15. Astros (84-78)
16. Royals (81-81)
17. Marlins (79-82)
18. Pirates (78-83)
19. White Sox (78-84)
20. Rockies (75-87)
21. Angels (74-88)
22. Brewers (73-89)
23. Phillies (71-91)
24. Diamondbacks (69-93)
25. Athletics (69-93)
26. Braves (68-93)
27. Rays (68-94)
28. Reds (68-94)
29. Padres (68-94)
30. Twins (59-103)
AL MVP Standings:
1. David Ortiz (.315, 38 HR, 127 RBI)
2. Mike Trout (.315, 29 HR, 100 RBI)
3. Mookie Betts (.318, 31 HR, 113 RBI)
4. Josh Donaldson (.284, 37 HR, 99 RBI)
5. Jose Altuve (.338, 24 HR, 96 RBI)
NL MVP Standings:
1. Kris Bryant (.292, 39 HR, 102 RBI)
2. Anthony Rizzo (.292, 32 HR, 109 RBI)
3. Nolan Arenado (.294, 41 HR, 133 RBI)
4. Daniel Murphy (.347, 25 HR, 104 RBI)
5. Corey Seager (.308, 26 HR, 72 RBI)
AL Cy Young Standings:
1. Rick Porcello (22-4, 3.15 ERA, 189 SO)
2. Corey Kluber (18-9, 3.14 ERA, 227 SO)
3. J.A. Happ (20-4, 3.18 ERA, 163 SO)
4. Justin Verlander (16-9, 3.04 ERA, 254 SO)
5. Cole Hamels (15-5, 3.32 ERA, 200 SO)
NL Cy Young Standings:
1. Max Scherzer (20-7, 2.96 ERA, 284 SO)
2. Kyle Hendricks (16-8, 2.13 ERA, 170 SO)
3. Jon Lester (19-5, 2.44 ERA, 197 SO)
4. Johnny Cueto (18-5, 2.79 ERA, 198 SO)
5. Jake Arrieta (18-8, 3.10 ERA, 190 SO)
2017 Preview:
The Cubs, led by Bryant and Rizzo at the plate and Lester and Hendricks on the mound, are going to pick up right where they left off. I think the Giants and Nationals will be the other National League division winners, because of guys like Madison Bumgarner and Daniel Murphy, respectively. The Cardinals should return to the playoffs after a (rare) one-year hiatus. The Dodgers, mainly because of Clayton Kershaw and Corey Seager, are going to be in the mix as well.
Some teams that I don't see making the playoffs in the NL, but will be right around the Wild Card race are: the Mets, Marlins, Pirates, and Rockies. New York is extremely talented, but it seems like they are taking steps back after a great 2015 campaign. Miami had studs Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon, but the pitching is simply not good enough. Pittsburgh and Colorado seem like they are going in opposite directions as the Pirates aren't what the were two seasons ago, and Colorado is playing better and better because of young All-Stars Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story.
Unfortunately, there are also teams that are going to be bad, like really bad. I don't see the Brewers, Padres, and Phillies coming close to 75 wins, not to mention a playoff berth.
As for the American League, the Indians are going to be favorites to win the central division and because of Francisco Lindor, Corey Kluber, and Co., they probably will. The Red Sox, even without David Ortiz, are going to be dynamic because of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. The Rangers should be good as much of their No. 1 seed team from 2016 returns including Adrian Beltre and Jonathan Lucroy. I also expect the Blue Jays and Tigers to make the playoffs.
The Orioles, Yankees, Astros, and Royals have all made the playoffs in the last two years, but I don't see them getting there in 2017 unless something in the offseason changes and makes me say otherwise. For now, those teams will win 80+ games, but won't clinch a playoff berth.
The Athletics, Twins, and White Sox aren't going to be very competitive and will sit near the bottom of the final AL standings.
2016 will always be memorable because the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years, but they may not have been able to win the title if it were not for a 17-minute rain delay in Game 7, in which outfielder Jason Heyward spoke to the team.
"You guys should all look in the mirror and understand we can get it done," he said. "I don't care who it is. There are a lot of (things that happen) over the season. You're not going to be happy about some things, and some are easier to swallow. Just be happy in this moment, in this situation, because you can come through."
After a 3-run lead was evaporated in the bottom of the 8th inning on a Rajai Davis home run off of Aroldis Chapman, the life was sucked out of the Cubs. Heyward was able to breathe life back into his team, propelling them to the victory, sealing their destiny as world champions.
We can all only hope that 2017 is as great as 2016.
Photo Credit: TIME.com.
