MLB Playoffs: Wild Card Predictions
The 2014 season has come to a close for the Atlanta Braves, but there is still baseball left to be played. Tonight the MLB postseason begins and though it is without the Braves I will be glued to my television just as I am every October (or in tonight’s case September 30th). Even when you do not have a horse in the race October can still be that magical time when you can be awed by greatness.
Whether it is Kirk Gibson’s improbable homerun, Buckner’s booted groundball, or Tom Glavine pitching the game of his life to bring Atlanta a World Series, baseball’s postseason undoubtedly provides memorable moments. So, even though the Braves are not in it find a reason to watch so you do not miss any of the fun. Hate watch the Nationals and hope they implode, get on the Mike Trout bandwagon as he makes his first postseason appearance, or hope that Billy Beane gets the World Series ring that has eluded him for so long. The only wrong choice is not watching.
With my rant about the awesomeness of the playoffs over, let me get to my predictions. Today I will pick a winner for the AL and NL Wild Card games. Before each round of the playoffs I will submit new picks based on who advances. As we all know, baseball is a weird sport. Just mind bogglingly weird sometimes. In a one game sample anything can happen, so naturally I do not feel at all confident about these Wild Card picks. Let the failed predictions begin!
AL Wild Card: Oakland Atheltics @ Kansas City Royals
Sep 24, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) pitches the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
James Shields vs. Jon Lester in a winner take all game is what the postseason is all about. This is why each team traded such valuable pieces to land these guys. For much of the first half Oakland dominated baseball. They hit, they pitched, and they played solid in the field. Then they stopped hitting. Many have blamed the trade of Yoenis Cespedes as the reason for their struggles, but he was not exactly lighting the world on fire when he was dealt. Josh Donaldson, Josh Reddick, and others are going to have to step up if they are going to get things turned around in the postseason.
Kansas City has been an amazing story as they make their first postseason appearance in 29 years (which spans my entire life and then 7 years). Ned Yost has provided questionable in game decision making, but a solid rotation, a dominant bullpen, and an offense that provides just enough has gotten them this far. In the ultimate coin flip game I’ll take the A’s and Jon Lester over “Big Game” James Shields.
Prediction: Athletics 4 Kansas City 2
NL Wild Card: San Francisco Giants @ Pittsburgh Pirates
Sep 23, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Before the season I expected Atlanta to be hosting this game, but sadly that is not the case. The Pirates are in this game for the second time in a row, after winning it last year against the Reds. They’ll start Edison Volquez against Madison Bumgarner in a battle of a budding ace and a player who has reignited his career. Pittsburgh boasts breakout All-Star Josh Harrison and last season’s MVP Andrew McCutchen along with an exciting young player like Starling Marte and stalwart behind the dish Russell Martin.
The Giants counter with perennial MVP candidate Buster Posey, enthusiastic (and profane speech giver) Hunter Pence, and the Kung Fu Panda in Pablo Sandoval. As I’ve said before one game makes it impossible to use logic to make a prediction, but I feel better about Bumgarner in a winner take all game. I’ll take the Giants. It is an even year after all.
Prediction: Giants 4 Pirates 1
There you have it! My Wild Card predictions. Grab some buddies, a pizza, and a six pack then settle into your recliner and enjoy. Once the Division Series matchups are set I’ll take a run at predicting those as well. Happy baseballing!