MLB: Division series recap article

The MLB Postseason is coming down to the wire in the Championship Round of both leagues, with only four teams remaining.

Let’s review the Divisional Rounds and discuss what happened leading up to the second to last round of the playoffs.

ALDS: Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers

The Mariners and Tigers series was arguably one of the most intense series of the postseason thus far.

The Tigers won game one of the series, but did not have the stamina to pull through and advance to the next round.

Going to a 15-inning Game 5 winner-take-all in Seattle, Jorge Polanco ripped a walk-off, sending the Mariners to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2001.

The Gritty Tigs had their ace Tarik Skubal on the mound for game five; he put up 13 Ks in 6 innings pitched, only giving up one run.

They used eight pitchers in the 15-inning thriller, but that didn’t stop Polanco in the bottom of the 15th to keep his team’s season alive.

ALDS: Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees

The other ALDS did not go five games because the Blue Jays were able to storm past the Yankees in just four.

The Blue Jays' offense was nothing but problems for the Yankees’ pitchers.

Everyone in the lineup wouldn’t stop hitting, and guys who are less known were stepping up. Their hot offense was propelled by none other than Vlad Guerrero Jr.

Cam Schlittler stepped up in the Yankees’ pitching rotation. He gave a historic performance in the Wild Card series and was almost untouchable in game four, but the Bronx Bombers did not do their part.

NLDS: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs

The first National League Division Series was somewhat a surprise to me. It was another series that went to five games.

The Milwaukee Brewers started their season at the very bottom, but have stormed back and found their way into the Championship Series for the first time in years.

They were finally able to get over the hump and secure their spot after being first-round exits for the past few years.

Each game of the series was close, coming down to the wire.

The Brew Crew channeled the Bob Uecker magic after he passed away last offseason. He was with them in their tense 3-1 game five win to send them to the Championship series.

NLDS: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The final Division Series coming out of the National League was also very surprising.

The Dodgers took the first two games of the series in Philly, one of the most electric environments in Red October, to take it back to Los Angeles.

The Phillies' offense woke up in game three to force a game four, but could not push through.

They lost on a brutal error in game four when Orion Kerkering made a wild throw over home plate after mishandling Andy Pages’ bases-loaded ground ball to the mound with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning.

This is what sent the Dodgers back to the Championship series and ended the Phillies' season.

This MLB Postseason has been a rollercoaster so far, and it is going to be interesting to see who goes all the way to the World Series.

Gina Scarpa is a second year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gfs5427@psu.edu.