Recap of the 2017 MLB Season
American League
East
The Boston Red Sox won the AL East with a record of 90-72. Baltimore secured one of the wild card spots, finishing the regular season with a record of 87-75, three games behind Boston. New York finished 3rd, going 82-80, while Washington's record was 76-86. The Philadelphia Athletics finished one game behind Washington, wrapping up the season with a 75-87 record.
Central
Cleveland took home the Central Division crown, finishing with a record of 99-63, good for the best in the AL. The Indians had a comfortable lead for much of the season, ending up 22 games ahead of 2nd place Detroit, who finished 77-85. Houston finished a disappointing 74-88 after losing Dallas Keuchel for the season in April, which was tied with Toronto, while Chicago brought up the rear with the worst record in baseball at 58-104.
West
The Minnesota Millers took the AL West title with a record of 93-69. The San Francisco Seals finished in 2nd place, winning 83 games while losing 79. Third place in the West was Texas, with a record of 79-83, followed by Kansas City at 78-84, and the Angels in last at 73-89.
American League Award Winners
MVP - Manny Machado (Balt) - .313 BA, 50 HR, 124 RBI
Cy Young - Danny Salazar (Cle) - 19-4, 2.68 ERA, 245 K
Rookie of the Year - Andrew Benintendi (Bos) - .325, 25 HR, 110 RBI
Manager of the Year - Scott Servais (Minnesota)
National League
East
The Brooklyn Dodgers finished up the regular season with a 104-58 record. The newly-returned Montreal Expos finished in 2nd place at 92-70. Third place in the East went to Miami at 83-79, followed by the New York Giants at 80-82, and Philadelphia at 68-94.
Central
The Chicago Cubs won the Central Division, wrapping up the regular season at 93-69. They finished 12 games ahead of 2nd place Cincinnati, who finished at 81-81. The rest of the Division saw the Milwaukee Braves finish at 78-84, the Atlanta Thrashers at 77-85, and Pittsburgh at 73-89.
West
Winners of the NL East for 2017 were the Arizona Diamondbacks, owners of the best record in baseball at 108-54. Second place fell to the St. Louis Cardinals at 80-82, who were followed by the Seattle Pilots at 79-83. The bottom two spots in the West went to San Diego at 74-88, and Colorado at 62-100.
National League Award Winners
MVP - Bryce Harper (Mon) - .312 BA, 52 HR, 132 RBI
Cy Young - Clayton Kershaw (Bro) - 19-9, 2.84 ERA, 294 K
Rookie of the Year - Clay Bellinger (Bro) - .314 BA, 35 HR, 77 RBI
Manager of the Year - Torey Luvollo (Ari)
Playoffs
AL Wildcard Series - Minnesota Millers 1, Baltimore Orioles 0
AL Division Series - Minnesota 3, Cleveland 2
AL Division Series - Boston 3, San Francisco Seals 2
AL Championship - Boston 4, Minnesota 3
NL Wildcard Series - Miami Marlins 1, Montreal Expos 0
NL Division Series - Miami 3, Arizona 0
NL Division Series - Brooklyn 3, Chicago 0
NL Championship - Miami 4, Brooklyn 3
Notable News from the Season
April 18 - Francisco Liriano (Tor) strikes out 16 against the Chicago White Sox.
April 21 - Clayton Kershaw (Brooklyn) strikes out 18 against the Seattle Pilots.
May 13 - Baltimore signed Manny Machado to a 7-year extension, worth $156.2M.
May 22 - Atlanta signed Jacob DeGrom to a 7-year extension, worth $114.1M.
June 8 - Jett Bandy (Sea Pilots) notches 10 RBI in game
June 13 - Matt Holiday (NYY) and Chris Sale (Bos) each suspended 8 games for their role in brawl.
June 14 - Salvador Perez (KC) hits for the cycle, going 4-5 against the Yankees.
June 20 - Albert Pujuls (LAA) hits his 600th career home run.
July 8 - Nolan Arenado (Col) hits for the cycle, going 4-4 against Pittsburgh.
July 22 - Adrian Beltre (Tex) notches his 3000th career hit.
Sept 22 - Madison Bumgarner pitches no-hitter against the Montreal Expos.
Sept 30 - Sonny Gray (Phil Athletics) strikes out 16 vs. Texas.
Key Injuries
- Cole Hamels (Tex), Shoulder inflammation, 12 months
- Two months after signing his extension, Jacob DeGrom (Atl) was diagnosed with torn UCL. Out 12-13 months.
- To add insult to injury, Noah Syndegard also has a torn UCL. Hopeful return for him is Jan 2018.
- Dallas Keuchel has torn UCL. Out 7-8 months.
- Max Scherzer (Mon) has torn labrum. Out until Jan 2018.
Manager Retirements
- Joe Maddon (Cubs), Dusty Baker (Expos), Paul Molitor (Washington), Buck Showalter (Baltimore), Ned Yost (KC), Larry Bowa (Phillies), Terry Collins (Atlanta)
Manager Firings
- Rick Renteria (White Sox)
Manager Hirings
- Dave Martinez (Cubs), Don Wakamatsu (KC), Joe Vavra (Washington), John Russell (Baltimore), Tony Pena (White Sox), Ron Washington (Expos), Pete Mackanin (Phillies)
Player Retirements
- R.A. Dickey (Braves), Jason Grilli (Toronto), Jimmy Rollins (Seals), Grady Sizemore (Boston), Michael Martinez (Cleveland)