Wild Card:
Yankees over Twins
To me, I really can’t see anyone arguing too much over this one. The Yankees have been tinkering on being the best team in the American League where as the Twins were overtaken in their own division. The Yankees get way more of a pass because the Red Sox are one of the best teams in the entire MLB. Anything can happen when it is only one game, but the Yankees have the advantage just about everywhere.
Rockies over Diamondbacks
This will be a much closer game. It’s really hard for most people to see a team like the Rockies take a road win against a red hot team and an elite pitcher. Let’s not forget just how well the Rockies do against Zach Greinke. Plus, the Rockies should pitch Jon Gray, who has had little exposure to the D-Backs lineup. This will ensure he gets at least 4 or 5 really solid innings. Ultimately, I cannot go against the powerful offense the Rockies have going right now.
ALDS/NLDS:
Indians over Yankees
The Indians might just be the hottest team in baseball. They also are much more experienced. Corey Kluber will lock up game one for sure. You throw in the elite bullpen and home field advantage? Looks like the Bronx Bombers won’t even have a chance. On the contrary, the Yankees should win a game or two and make a borderline classic series. Elite offense in New York against the star-studded pitching in Cleveland. In the end, I can’t bet against the Indians. They win 3-2
Astros over Red Sox
Simply put, the Astros have one of the best pitching staffs in the MLB, if not the best. Jose Altuve has been the best in baseball with the absence of Mike Trout. On the other hand, the Red Sox have been host to Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr., who have underperformed. Expect to see two elite teams play a very good series in which the Astros take it 3-1.
Dodgers over Rockies
Let’s face it: the Rockies have little chance to face such a juggernaut. It’s not even that insulting to Colorado. The Rockies have come out of nowhere to end up playing playoff ball for just the fourth time. But they just don’t have what it takes to beat a team with such elite pitching and all around ball. For the Rockies, it’s a huge step forward. They brought a young group on the rise and ready to compete for a title in the future. But the Dodgers have been in that place for years now, so they’ll be ready to beat whatever the Rockies do. Which is why they will sweep 3-0.
Nationals over Cubs
This will once again, be another beatdown. The Cubs are really good, but nowhere as good as they were last year. In fact, who on their team has truly done as good as they did last year? Not Kris Bryant. Don’t even get me started on Kyle Schwarber, who might just be one of the most disappointing players in MLB HISTORY. Who do the Nationals have? Oh, only a National League MVP. If the series comes down to a clutch situation, the Cubs will win the game. But Washington won’t let it get to that. Nationals sweep 3-0.
ALCS/NLCS:
Astros over Indians
Expect to see very little offense. In addition, expect the little offense to be generated by Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa only. Look, the Indians have a solid offense, but they won’t do anything against Dallas Keuchel, Justin Verlander, and even Collin McHugh. If I am being completely accurate, the Red Sox are really the team best suited to beat the Astros, at least in the American League. If they can pass that test, they should beat Cleveland 4-1.
Dodgers over Nationals
Ironically, I picked the two teams known for having major trouble winning playoff games. Ultimately, The Rockies, Cubs, and even Diamondbacks all aren’t talented enough to beat these two teams even when struggling. On the other side, now one of these teams have to go to the World Series. I picked the Dodgers for their offense. They just have too many assets. Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig, Corey Seager. This isn’t even including Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen. You pitch those two, you’re winning the game. Bryce Harper and the crew should put up a good fight, but ultimately Los Angeles will head to the World Series by winning 4-2.
World Series:
Astros over Dodgers
Just to begin, we should all root for this World Series. I hate the Dodgers, but these two teams have been the best teams in the league since all the way back in early June. How can you not hope to see these teams meet up after being in a crash course for so long? The Dodgers may have gotten to the pennant, but that doesn’t change the fact that they have proven time and time again they “choke”. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will full on choke. In fact, this will be the one and only game 7 played. However, all stats aside, I cannot pick a team that proves time and time again they aren’t capable of winning in big situations. Especially in a series in which the Astros are favored statistically to begin with. We can only hope for a World Series as exciting as last years. It should be a really fun game 7 in which the Astros take the pennant 4 games to 3.
