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

Corey Seager and Randy Arozarena have been outstanding in the MLB playoffs and are writing themselves into history

The 2020 ALCS and NLCS MVP’s are on fire during the MLB playoffs and don’t seem to be slowing down. Both Randy Arozarena and Corey Seager are still making an impact in the World Series after two games. The Tampa Bay Rays tied the series on Wednesday after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 in game two.

Brandon Lowe finally had a big game for the Rays with two home runs and Chris Taylor had a home run for the Dodgers to try and start a come back in the well contested game. Rays reliever Nick Anderson received the win, and Tony Gonsolin was the losing pitcher. Diego Castillo also came into the ninth inning with two outs to record his third save of the 2020 postseason.

Seager, the left handed shortstop, hit another home run yesterday and finished the game with two hits, bringing his home run total to seven this postseason. The rookie standout, Arozarena, finished the game one for three with two bases on balls, raising his hit total to 22 hits.

Let’s find out what kinds of records the MLB playoffs MVP’s are breaking and are on track to break sooner rather than later.

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.