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5:08 pm - Astros @ Yankees (2-1)
While Houston and New York continue to battle for the American League pennant, at least through Friday night, the Nationals are sitting around, waiting. For they clinched the National League title, by completing the sweep of the hapless Cardinals on Tuesday, and now have a full seven days off before Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday. The bad news is, dominating your Championship Series might be the worst possible result. For below are the teams to have done so since the CS went to a best-of-seven game format in 1985, along with how they did after sitting around, waiting for the World Series:
- 2015 Mets - lost 4-1 to Royals
- 2014 Royals - lost 4-3 to Giants
- 2012 Tigers - lost 4-0 to Giants
- 2007 Rockies - lost 4-0 to Red Sox
- 2006 Tigers - lost 4-1 to Cardinals
- 1995 Braves - won 4-2 over Indians
- 1990 A’s - lost 4-0 to Reds
- 1988 A’s - lost 4-1 to Dodgers
Ouch. That’s one World Series win in eight Championship Series sweeps, with a combined record of just 10-30. Six of the eight series were lost in five or fewer games. It definitely appears the case that rest is perhaps the last thing you need. Arizona fans will, in particular, remember the 2007 edition, where “Rocktober” rolled imperiously through Phoenix, before meeting an embarrassing end at the hands of Boston, the Rockies being outscored 29-10 over the four-game sweep. It was never going to be easy for Washington, regardless of their opponent. But the enforced layoff could be far more of a problem than a benefit.