BCB After Dark: The state of the National

Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the secret afterparty for night owls, early-risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. It’s always a pleasure to see you stop by. We’re going to waive the cover charge tonight just for you. We’ve saved you a prime table. Your waitress will take your order now. Bring your own beverage.

BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.

The Red Sox beat the Yankees tonight, 6-2 in the American League Wild Card Game. Kyle Schwarber homered off of Gerrit Cole in a Wild Card Game, which no doubt brought back some pleasant memories for Cubs fans. If you wish to discuss Schwarber or the game, you’re free to do so here.

Last time I asked you who you thought was going to win the AL Pennant and play in the World Series. It’s clear that most of you are believers in the Tampa Bay Rays, as 62% of you think that they are going to repeat as AL Champs. The crosstown White Sox finished second in the voting with 25% and 8% think that Dusty Baker and the Astros will play in the Fall Classic. Only 3% of you are already wrong after picking the Yankees and another 3% picked the Red Sox and are still alive.

On Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, I don’t do the full movie essay. I will give you my thoughts on 1998’s You’ve Got Mail in tomorrow’s edition. But I do have time to include a jazz track for you to enjoy. If you’re going to skip that, now’s the time.

We lost the great Dave Brubeck almost a decade ago, but his eldest son Darius Brubeck is still performing both his dad’s tunes and ones of his own. This is the Darius Brubeck Quartet in Poland in 2019 playing his dad’s composition “In Your Own Sweet Way,” which Dave wrote for his wife, Iola, and Darius’ mother.

Since yesterday I asked who you thought was going to be the AL participant in the World Series, it only makes sense for you to decide who you think the Tampa Bay Rays (or whoever wins) will be playing.

Both the Giants and the Dodgers had seasons for the ages, and that means that the Dodgers get stuck playing a one-game Wild Card match with the red-hot Cardinals. The Brewers and Braves have almost been forgotten in the stories about San Francisco, Los Angeles and St. Louis, but I can guarantee one of those two teams is going to be playing in the NL Championship Series. And from there, they just need to win four games.

So who will be the National League’s representative in the World Series? And no, you can’t write-in the Cubs. That ship has sailed.

Thanks for stopping by. We’ll be back again tomorrow with another edition of BCB After Dark. Don’t forget to pick up your hat and coat. And tip your waitstaff.