MLB playoffs: The 2020 ALCS and NLCS MVP’s are making history

Seager’s solo shot yesterday puts him in good company for most home runs in a single MLB playoffs

Corey Seager had hit six home runs prior to game two of the World Series in the 2020 postseason. The record for most home runs in a single postseason is eight dingers, and there is a three way tie for first place. Barry Bonds, Nelson Cruz, and Carlos Beltran are tied with eight.

The controversial Bonds took the lone lead in 2002, where the San Francisco Giants battled the Anaheim Angels in the World Series. The series came down to game seven and the Angels finished on top.

Bonds did not hold the record for too long because Beltran tied his record in 2004 when he was with the Houston Astros. Beltran’s record tying performance is a little more impressive because the Astros did not make it past the NLCS. Bonds played in 17 games in the 2002 MLB playoffs, while Beltran played in only 11 games. Beltran had a five game home run streak, where he hit six in that stretch.

Cruz was the latest to join Bonds and Beltran when he was with the Texas Rangers in 2011. The 2011 Rangers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, so Cruz had an ample opportunity like Bonds. Cruz played in 17 games as Bonds did.

Now in 2020, the Dodgers shortstop is just one home run away from joining these three sluggers. It is important to consider that Seager does have more game opportunities because of the extended playoffs, but it still does not change the history books if Seager does hit another home run this postseason.

Seager has played in 14 games thus far and could play in 19 games if the World Series goes to game seven. Since the Dodgers made quick work in the first two playoff series, Seager would only have two more games than Bonds and Cruz if the World Series goes to game seven.

While Seager seeks to join good company or potentially pass them and take the sole lead, he broke the single postseason home run record among all shortstops. There is an ongoing list of players who have hit six home runs in a single postseason. But, there are not any shortstops who have hit more than six home runs, and Corey Seager finally did it.

Seager was tied with Carlos Correa, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome, and many others until game two. Seager is now tied with six others at the seven home run mark. What is even more surprising is that Randy Arozarena has also hit seven home runs this postseason.

So, there is a possibility that both the ALCS and NLCS MVP’s in 2020 could tie for first in single postseason home runs, or surpass the Bonds, Cruz, and Beltran trio.

Seager is also on the brink of rising up to the top of some other single postseason records. The NLCS MVP drove in his 16th run with his solo dinger yesterday. The current lead for most RBI’s in a single postseason is held by his former teammate David Freese who had 21 in 2011. Since it is only two games into the World Series, Seager has a chance to get higher on the list. If Seager passes 18 RBI’s this season, he would be the leading shortstop with most RBI’s in a postseason.

Seager has 15 runs and hits now after game two which is not too far off from the records. The most runs in a single postseason is held by Beltran again with 21. Seager would need six more runs in the World Series to tie the outfielder, which seems a little unlikely. The most hits in a single postseason are even further out because Pablo Sandoval leads with 26 hits. But you never know what Seager might pull out of the hat because he is red hot and the series is still young.

And to top it off, Seager made his mark at Globe Life Field.

Randy Arozarena is dancing his way up the ranks

The breakout star of the MLB playoffs who literally came out of nowhere must be getting tired of carrying his team on the back, or so we thought. Randy Arozarena has not slowed down and has been consistently been great. Like the NLCS MVP, Arozarena has also hit seven home runs in the 2020 postseason.

Seager is now tied with Arozarena and five others at seven home runs in a single postseason. The ALCS MVP now takes the lead for most single postseason home run among rookies when he hit a screamer in game seven of the ALCS against the Astros. As previously mentioned, both Arozarena and Seager have several games left in the World Series to rise up to the top of the most home runs in a single postseason. How cool would it be if two players tied for first, or took the lead from the same postseason?

The Rays outfielder has been so consistent that he is in contention for several other postseason records. For starters, Arozarena is currently in the top five for postseason career slugging percentage. Arozarena is not close to first place which is held by Colby Rasmus (1.038). Everyone in the top 10, including Arozarena, are in the .700s for slugging. This is also Arozarena’s first year in the postseason so it will be hard to say whether his postseason career slugging will remain static at what he finishes with this season.

Similarly, Arozarena is in the top 10 for career postseason OPS. But again, Arozarena is a rookie in his first postseason who will most likely be playing in other postseasons as well. It is interesting though, because Colby Rasmus leads both career postseason slugging and OPS but he only has 35 plate appearances. Arozarena already has 74 plate appearances.

On the other hand, Arozarena does have a very good shot at total bases in a single postseason in addition to the home run record. The young outfielder is currently at 48 total bases after hitting a single yesterday in game two. Arozarena was tied in second place for single postseason total bases before yesterday, but now he takes second place all by himself.

First place is taken by none other than David Freese, with his historic 2011 season. Freese leads single postseason total bases with 50 in 71 plates appearances. Arozarena is now in second place at 48 total bases in 74 plates appearances. All Arozarena needs to do to pass Freese is to hit at least three singles. Of course, a home run will do the job as well. I totally expect Arozarena to surpass Freese for single postseason total bases based on the way he is consistently performing. I recommend Freese to videotape or draft his congratulatory video or tweet to Arozarena now.

The 24 year old is also not too far off from the single postseason hit record. As mentioned before, Sandoval leads with 26 hits and I am not sure if Seager will be able to get near the record, but Arozarena is well within reach. Randy currently has 22 hits, so he is only four off from first place. To the sports bettors out there, I would consider this a lock that Arozarena breaks the single postseason record for hits.

Arozarena is one run short of Seager in terms of runs in a single postseason. They both have a slim chance of beating the record, but I would not be comfortable saying it is a given. The lead is held by Beltran at 21 runs.

Overall, both Seager and Arozarena have been outstanding in the 2020 MLB playoffs. The Dodgers and Rays would not be where they are without Seager and Arozarena this season and they are competing for postseason records for good reason. I expect Arozarena and Seager to continue their hot performances and end up on top of some of the records I mentioned in this article.

The teams have a much needed day-off on Thursday and will be back in action Friday at 5:08PT/8:08PT with Walker Buehler and Charlie Morton on the mound.