Ernie Harwell once said, “Baseball is a lot like life. It’s a day-to-day existence, full of ups and downs. You make the most of your opportunities in baseball as you do in life.” The late, great baseball announcer sure knew what he was talking about! As fans watched the 162 game season, each team saw its share of ups and downs that shaped their outcome for this year and set expectations for next year. As we get ready for the start of the League Championship Series tonight, it’s interesting to take a look at the teams who made the most of the opportunities they were given in the 2014 season.

With the current Wildcard format, 10 teams celebrated making the postseason – many waiting until the last day to know where they were in the standings. Many endured injuries or suspensions en route to making their run for the Fall Classic. Owners and General Managers play in a season long chess match to try to set up their team to be successful when it matters most. From off-season signings to trades and kids that come up to fill big shoes, each has varying levels of success with this. However, two teams really went “all in” at the trade deadline and have nothing to show for it already.

The Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics made the biggest headlines at the end of July with the players they acquired and it netted them a combined zero postseason wins. The A’s lost in the Wildcard Game and the Tigers were swept in the ALDS. Pretty dismal results for the teams that were crowned “AL favorites” just a couple months ago. While they both had to give away big pieces to land what they thought was the missing link, neither team performed well down the stretch and squandered the opportunities they were given. Both teams knew they had many of the necessary pieces to make a run for the pennant, but felt they were a move or two away from winning it all. For the Tigers in particular, they could see the window closing on the prime of some stars and contracts of others, but it still wasn’t enough with 3 Cy Young Winners in their rotation. Now both GMs are left to wonder what might have been and try to figure out what to do next…can they keep the guys they traded for, what free agents want to play there (that they can afford), and how to replace the young talent they basically traded away for nothing.

On the flip side, when you look at the teams that are still playing, most of the superstar power is gone. In addition to the stars that played for the Tigers and A’s, both L.A. teams got beat (likely eliminating both MVPs amongst other big names), the current NL MVP and the Pirates are gone, and the young stars of the Nationals are also eliminated. Don’t get me wrong, the “final four” still has some stars and others who will shine brightest now, but most of the players that we’ve spent the season talking about are now sitting at home watching the games just like you and I. For the most part, the teams left made minor moves if any at the trade deadline, have developed their own players and farm system, and have more complete rosters than the ones who’ve been eliminated.

So, as the next round of games begin this weekend, the ALCS features contrasting teams that haven’t been here in a while and the NLCS has teams that have played in the last 4 World Series. The Royals are playing in the postseason for the first time since 1985 (when they won it all) and rely on pitching, defense and speed to win games. The Orioles last played in the ALCS in 1997 (haven’t won the pennant since 1983) and have big bats and a shutdown bullpen. For the NLCS, St Louis and San Francisco will face off for the 2^nd time in 3 years and many of the names and faces are still the same. The Cardinals have a strong rotation, hit well to contact (and found the longball against the Dodgers), and home field advantage. The Giants have more power bats, a slightly better bullpen and a manager who shines in times like these.

If there is one thing we’ve learned this baseball season, it’s to expect the unexpected. The odds favorites aren’t even playing still and some of them didn’t even make the postseason. There wasn’t a team this year that felt like they were built to be unstoppable and those who appeared that way at times are now eliminated. So, we’re left watching true teams of talented players and young stars that were built for October and are making the most of the opportunities given to them. Both series have some great storylines and Fall Classic legends in the making. For what it’s worth, I expect to see lots of orange, grey and black as the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants battle for the pennant later this month. Play Ball!