MLB

We are completely through all but one Major League Baseball postseason division series and have plenty to take away from all four series and all eight participants.

Five teams in this year’s round were completely absent from the postseason a year ago, and those clubs have demonstrated how their systems have developed and acquired talent. They all have the potential to be legitimate threats to future World Series championships.

For the second time during this young postseason, two National League aces will clash in a winner-take-all elimination showdown when the New York Mets face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night.

NOVI, Mich. — On the front door of his Michigan home hangs a wreath streaked with golds and reds, matching the leaves on the changing trees surrounding it.

Inside, the man who tore through Octobers past by smashing two of the most dramatic World Series home runs of our time answers the doorbell by yanking open the door and practically leaping into view, devilish grin, twinkling eyes, greeting a visitor as if teasing a trick-or-treater.

"Aaaaaahhhhahhhhhahhhh!"

In the American League, the board for the championship series is set. On one side is the Toronto Blue Jays. On the other, the Kansas City Royals. At stake: a trip to the World Series.

Prediction: Pain.

At least for one side. Exactly which side will be feeling it depends on what decides this series: the Blue Jays' unparalleled power, or the special combination of a little bit of everything that has turned the Royals into a powerhouse.

But first, let's catch everyone up on how we got here.

The already-classic National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets is going the distance. Would you have it any other way?

Better late than never, as the saying goes. And certainly, this is doubly true when "late" is somehow the same thing as "right on time."

Just ask Johnny Cueto.

For the second straight year, the Kansas City Royals are headed to the American League Championship Series. Johnny Cueto threw eight innings of two-hit ball, and Kendrys Morales hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to cap the Royals' 7-2 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 5 of their divisional series.

The Royals provided a look at the on-field celebration:

The Johnny Cueto who the Kansas City Royals thought they got at the trade deadline showed up at the perfect time.

The 29-year-old pitched eight innings and allowed two earned runs and two hits while carrying his team to a 7-2 victory over the Houston Astros in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Next up for the defending American League champions is a battle with the Toronto Blue Jays for the right to play in the World Series.    

It's not the ending anyone in Houston wanted, but there's no shame in losing the American League Championship Series to Kansas City in five games. Especially when your future is as bright as it is for the Astros, a team that wasn't supposed to be here...yet.

With the bulk of the roster under team control, sweeping change doesn't need to come to Minute Maid Park. Changes will certainly be made as the team looks to build off its success in 2015, but they figure to be more tweaking than full-blown remodeling.

Tattoos can be expensive. But your favorite team's logo shaved into your chest hair? Priceless.

That's how one fan demonstrated his dedication to the Toronto Blue Jays—just etched into his chest hair, for everyone to see.

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