The 2020 MLB Postseason is well under way, and only one team faces elimination on Wednesday. And while viewership for the Postseason has not been that impressive so far, it could become much more acceptable if appealing matchups come down the line in the LCS and World Series. Following a year where MLB attracted its third-smallest World Series audience ever, the league definitely could use an attractive matchup in the Fall Classic. Here’s how we would rank the 16 possible matchups, from worst to best.
1. Yankees vs Dodgers. Ah yes, the impossible dream. The old rivals haven’t faced off since the 1981 World Series, but it’s a matchup steeped in history. Your parents and grandparents grew up with the Yankees-Dodgers rivalry, and because of the size of each team’s fanbase, younger fans will naturally be drawn to the series as well. This is the matchup that Fox has been begging for year after year, only to be foiled.
2. Astros vs Dodgers. A rematch of the 2017 series one of the most exciting in recent history, would be absolutely amazing. The Dodgers are still pissed off about the sign stealing by the Astros. The Astros, who are cheaters, are upset that people are calling them cheaters. How could baseball fans *not* watch this series?
3. Yankees vs Braves. The Yankees and Braves have played in four World Series. The Braves won in 1957, lost in 1958, and after moving to Atlanta, lost in both 1996 and 1999. Atlanta hasn’t won an NL pennant since that 1999 season, and another matchup with the Yankees in the World Series would be incredible theater.
4. Yankees vs Padres. This rematch of the 1998 World Series would bring back pleasant memories for Yankees fans, bitter memories for Padres fans, and plenty of old school vs new school storylines. Before this season, the Padres had won just one playoff game since that World Series sweep at the hands of the Yankees. The vengeance narrative is easy to write for this one, even though Fernando Tatis Jr wasn’t born when the 1998 World Series happened.
5. Astros vs Braves. When the Astros were in the National League, they had plenty of classic playoff matchups with Atlanta. Running the series back again, in the World Series after the Braves played the NLDS at Minute Maid Park, sure would be fun. It doesn’t help that these are two of the most exciting teams in the league.
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