As the ball landed, an era ended. Anyone watching dispassionately probably knew it. As Kyle Schwarber's ball landed in the Allegheny River after a Gerrit Cole pitch the Pirates were rebuild-bound. Unable to afford free-agents to fill their comparative weaknesses, it became very bleak for Pittsburgh. Are the Cubs to the point where they can largely avoid the boom/bust cycle?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won seven NL West crowns in succession. They’ve clinched a postseason spot and figure to win the 2020 division title as well. Nobody seems to be asking when the Dodgers’ window of contention will be over.