Irish in the MLB: Notre Dame baseball in the playoffs

With the start of October comes the beginning of playoff baseball, and three former Notre Dame baseball players will compete in the MLB postseason.

It’s been almost a decade since an Irish alum hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy at the end of the MLB season, when Brad Lidge did it with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. But with three old ND baseball players in the postseason this year, the odds of that streak finally falling are the best they’ve been in quite some time.

Notre Dame hasn’t had this many players in the playoffs since 2011, Let’s take a look at who’s in the postseason and what their chances are of making the World Series.

Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Trey Mancini (67) doubles in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Trey Mancini, Baltimore Orioles

Mancini arrived in Baltimore only a few weeks ago as part of September call-ups and wasted no time making his mark on the big leagues, blasting three home runs in his first three career starts, the first Oriole ever to do that. Since then he has slowed down a little, and he probably won’t see much playing time now that we’re in the playoffs.

Still, he’s a candidate for some pinch-hit at-bats late in games if the O’s are in desperate need of offense, and that could lead to some memorable moments. Mancini just has to hope the wild-card Orioles stick around long for that to happen.

World Series odds: 50-to-1

Oct 2, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) and relief pitcher Javier Lopez (49) and Eli Whiteside celebrate after clinching the wild card against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park the San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Samardzija, San Francisco Giants

Samardzija, now in his ninth MLB season, has rebounded from a rough July to post a 2.86 ERA through August and September, though he has suffered from a lack of run support. Now, he and the Giants will attempt to stretch their streak of even-year World Series wins to four.

Samardzija has long since passed his days as an potential ace or even All-Star, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a huge part of the Giants’ hopes. Behind Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, Samardzija is the No. 3 man for San Francisco and pivotal to the team’s chances if they make it past the first game or so.

World Series odds: I would say 40-to-1, but it’s the Giants in an even year, so 25-to-1

Sep 28, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Jeff Manship (53) pitches the ball during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Manship, Cleveland Indians

Manship is making his postseason debut in his eighth major league season after years of bouncing around with second-tier teams, and he’s part of one of the best stories in baseball with the Cleveland Indians making the playoffs.

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A few months ago, it looked as though Manship was one of Cleveland’s best relievers and would be pivotal to their postseason hopes. But a rough September has dropped him to the back of the bullpen and now there’s talk he might not make the playoff roster. Still, he’s a pretty safe bet to make the team and throw some important, if limited innings, this October.

World Series odds: 15-to-1

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