Preview/Prediction

Are the Cleveland Indians ready to play the role of destiny's darlings?

It seems that way as the American League playoffs unfold. They have picked up two consecutive wins over the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series after sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series.

The Cleveland Indians have gotten out to a fast start in the American League Championship Series, but the Toronto Blue Jays are not going to go down without a fight.

Pitching has surprisingly been the story so far in this series, with the Indians earning wins of 2-0 and 2-1 in the first two games. Considering what we had seen from these two offenses coming into the week, fans were likely expecting a lot more scoring.

Marcus Stroman is about to pitch one of the biggest games of his life for the Toronto Blue Jays.

When he takes the mound Monday at the Rogers Centre against the Cleveland Indians for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, he will be attempting to keep his team in the series and out of a desperation 0-3 hole.

The National League Championship Series kicked off with a bang on Saturday night, as the Chicago Cubs plated five runs in the bottom of the eighth en route to an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miguel Montero delivered the big blow with a pinch-hit grand slam, and Hector Rondon was able to slam the door after the Cubs turned to Aroldis Chapman earlier in the game.

Jon Lester gave the Cubs six strong innings in a no-decision, but Kenta Maeda lasted just four innings for the Dodgers, forcing them to go to the bullpen early.

The two league championships series are underway, but there is clearly a long way to go for any of the teams to clinch a spot in the World Series.

The Cleveland Indians are obviously in the best shape after their two wins over the Toronto Blue Jays, but they will have to find a way to keep it up when they go on the road. Considering the impact of the Rogers Centre in the postseason, this will not be easy.

Following Saturday's Game 1 of the NLCS at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will meet again on Sunday night for a pivotal Game 2 before the teams head west to L.A.

Both the Dodgers and the Cubs are looking to end lengthy World Series droughts, although there is likely more desperation on Chicago's side, since the Cubs haven't reached the World Series since 1945 and haven't won it since 1908.

The Cleveland Indians drew first blood in the American League Championship Series, and now it's time for the Toronto Blue Jays to see if they can answer back.

That will not be an easy task, because the Indians continued their shutdown pitching as they defeated the Blue Jays 2-0 in the first game of the ALCS at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Following the Los Angeles Dodgers' come-from-behind win over the Washington Nationals in Game 5 of the NLDS, the NLCS is officially set with the Chicago Cubs looking to return to the World Series for the first time since 1945.

Just four teams remain in Major League Baseball's quest for the 2016 World Series as the American League and National League Championship Series get underway. 

The Cleveland Indians (1948), Toronto Blue Jays (1993), Chicago Cubs (1908) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1988) have all had some sizable championship droughts, some much longer than others, as one dry spell is about to come to an end this October. 

The Chicago Cubs enter the National League Championship Series with as much confidence as a team battling a 108-year title drought could possibly have.