The Oakland Athletics made the playoffs three times during Matt Chapman’s five-year tenure in the organization. The 29-year-old played in two of those series, both one-game wild-card matchups in 2018 and 2019. And it’s the physical sensations he remembers from those moments.
“Everything’s heightened,” said the Toronto Blue Jays third baseman, speaking from the tunnel inside Rogers Centre. “It's win or go home; one of these teams is going home. It’s so much fun. Your adrenaline is going crazy, and the stadium is rocking.”
In his first few playoff opportunities, Chapman said he felt "overhyped" and "tense," to the point that, in retrospect, he wished he had enjoyed those postseason opportunities more.