MLB Playoffs: Division Series Predictions
The MLB Playoffs never disappoint (except when our favorite team is not in them). The Wild Card round gave us excitement and a nail biting finish. It also gave us a clunker. Tuesday night was an epic back and forth clash between the Royals and Athletics. Despite Ned Yost’s inexplicable bullpen maneuvering the Royals managed to claw back and defeat the A’s in 12 innings setting up a matchup with the Los Angeles Angels. The NL Wild Card game saw Madison Bumgarner dominant the Pirates sending the Giants to the next round. I’ll make my picks and make my “analysis” short and sweet. I went 1 for 2 in the Wild Card round, let’s see about those division series games.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Kansas City Royals
The Royals are the darlings of baseball at the moment after their comeback victory in the Wild Card round. However, I believe midnight will strike on Cinderella. The Angels have one of the best offenses in baseball led by likely MVP Mike Trout. I think the Angel bats will overpower the Royals and end this fairytale run.
Prediction: Angels in 4
Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles ran away with the AL East by a wide margin while the Tigers barely edged out the Royals to win the Central. I’ll take the Tigers dominant rotation and Miguel Cabrera over this plucky group of birds.
Prediction: Tigers in 5
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
This is the matchup I’m having the most trouble with. Both are solid organizations and had success in the regular season. The Cardinals edged the Dodgers in the NLCS last season before losing to Boston in the World Series. I’ll take Clayton Kershaw over Adam Wainwright in game one, followed by a Greinke gem, followed by an offensive outburst by the Dodgers that leads to an unlikely sweep. This is perhaps my most ambitious pick of the postseason even though it’s the series I’m least sure of.
Prediction: Dodgers in 3
Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants
The Nationals are probably the best team in baseball and they ran away with the NL East leaving our poor Atlanta Braves in the dust. The Giants just do not have the firepower to do battle with them. The Nats have an arsenal loaded with guys like Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond, Adam LaRoche, and Braves fan favorite Bryce Harper. Only facing Madison Bumgarner once is a huge advantage for Washington, and I expect them to not take it for granted. I’ll take the Nats.
Prediction: Nationals in 4
That would set up a final four of Angels vs. Tigers and Dodgers vs. Nationals. I batted .500 in the Wild Card round and I’d gladly take that again. Enjoy the matchups!