The regular season is over and the MLB postseason is here!
It kicks off tonight with the AL Wild Card Game with the Minnesota Twins
traveling to Yankee Stadium to face rookie sensation Aaron Judge and the Bronx
Bombers. With the postseason officially here, these my predictions of how I
think it will all play out.
Every team in the 2017 Postseason is really good. They
wouldn't be here if they weren't. That being said, this matchup is the easiest
decision of all the matchups in this group. No disrespect to the Twins. They're
very good and the way that they went from the worst record in the league in
2016 to the postseason in 2017 is really impressive and Paul Molitor deserves
Manager of the Year consideration for what he's done. But this is a one game
playoff, the Yankees are deeper, more experienced, playing at home, and they
have a man named Aaron Judge, who's only going to get better. The Twins are
good, but this one goes to the Yankees.
NL Wild Card Game:
Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
| Martinez: 29 HR, 65 RBI in 62 games with the D-Backs |
In a series format, this would be great series. This
matchup is loaded with stars that would make a Best-of-7 series pop off the
page. But, this is a one game playoff. I personally don't like this format, but
it's what we've got. It's also difficult to pick against the Rockies
considering that the last time they made the postseason as a Wild Card team,
they made a miracle run to the World Series. However, that was ten years ago,
and almost that entire roster is retired. Different team, different results.
The Diamondbacks have come into the postseason as the MLB's hottest team, aside
from the Indians. They have more experience on their roster and the midseason
acquisition of JD Martinez is probably the best signing of the season, as his
bat energized that team for their playoff push. The Rockies also have a young
pitching rotation, which gives Zack Greinke a clear advantage of the young Jon
Gray. If they hold on to Arenado and continue to develop their young pitching
the way they are, the Rockies will be back, but the Snakes get will get the
best of them in 2017.
ALDS: Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros
| Verlander: Acquired via trade Sep. 1 |
Coming out of Spring Training, I picked the Red Sox to make
it to the Fall Classic. A pitching rotation that includes Chris Sale and David
Price and a lineup that encompasses Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts and Andrew
Benintendi was hard to dislike. But then David Price got hurt. He's back in the
rotation for Boston now, but how will he do? Houston has been one of the best
teams all season. Jose Altuve won the AL batting title easily and the trade for
Justin Verlander was huge for the Houston Rotation. This will be a great series
since both rosters are deep, but in a shortened series where starters may only
get one start, and the fact the home field advantage has most of the series
being played in Houston, I'm picking the Astros to win in 5 games.
NLDS: Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals
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| Murphy; .351 career postseason avg. 7 HR, 17 RBI |
This is arguably the most exciting series in the postseason,
which makes it the most difficult one to predict. That being said, I'm sure the
popular pick is going to be the defending champs. Last year was a magical year
for the Cubs, but their players were the first to admit that they suffered the
dreaded World Series hangover this year. I was an up and down year for the
Cubbies, and at times, I found myself wondering if they would even make the
postseason. Alas, the Cubs got in and they are the first defending champions to
make the playoffs the following year since 2008. The Cubs roster may be full of
young stars, but they are experienced when the calendar turns to October. So,
no-brainer, right? Not so fast. Max Scherzer is the favorite for NL Cy Young,
Stephen Strasburg has had a career year even while dealing with injuries, Bryce
Harper is back, Ryan Zimmerman is having a spectacular season and Daniel Murphy
is at his best in October. It's a lot to take in, I know. Max Scherzer is
battling a hamstring issue, but should be available at some point in the
series. I may be in the minority here, but I think the Washington Nationals
will survive and advance in a series that will go the distance. It's a shame
that this is only a best-of-5 series.
ALDS: New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians
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| Judge: 52 HR in 2017 (MLB rookie record) |
Aaron Judge and the Yankees have been a great story this
season, but it's the Indians who were 2017's best story. For anyone who didn't
believe that this year's version of the Indians is better than last year's AL
champs, Cleveland's AL record 22-game win streak changed the narrative. It's
scary to think that the Indians could be better this year, but it can't be
ignored. As much as I may want to see a Yankees-Red Sox matchup in the ALCS
(when the rivalry is at it's best), the Indians are too good for Judge and the
Yankees. Cleveland in 6.
NLDS: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
This series will be FUN! I like the D-backs a lot in this
series. Their on fire and ready to go. However, from the moment that Yu Darvish
traded in one blue cap for another, I had the Dodgers taking the National
League. Say what you will about Clayton Kershaw's career struggles in the
postseason, but I still wouldn't want to face him. Alex Wood is having the best
season of his young career and the Dodgers have a couple of players in their
lineup whose cases could be made for NL MVP. That seems unfair. Not to mention
that if the game is close in the 9th, the Dodgers have arguably the most
dominate closer in baseball. If this was a one-game playoff, this might be a
different conversation, but in a 7-game series, the Dodgers will prove to be
too much. Dodgers in 6.
ALCS: Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians
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| Indians: 22-game win streak in 2017 (AL record) |
I remember the date:
if you had asked me on September 1st who was making it to the World Series out
of the American League, I would've said the Houston Astros hands down. They had
just added Justin Verlander to an already stacked rotation and paired him with
a great offense. That hasn't changed. What has changed is a 22-game win streak
by their series opponent. Like I said, that can't be ignored, so I won't. This
series will probably go the distance, but the Indians are going back to the
Fall Classic.
NLCS: Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles DodgersI'll keep this short: As good as the Nationals are, they haven't gotten too deep in the postseason in recent history. As clutch as Daniel Murphy is, the Dodgers have been clicking since Day 1. At one point in the season, they were 66-29. Even in the midst of a late season 10-game losing streak, they never coughed up home-field advantage. Dodgers in 6.
World Series:
Cleveland Indians vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
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| Darvish: Traded to LAD on July 31 |
This one is tough.
After the Cubs victory in 2016, the Indians have the longest World Series
drought in the MLB, having not won a title since 1948. The Indians are coming
into October hot, which is often seen as the most important thing when it comes
to the playoffs in all sports. I sincerely hope that this series goes 7 games.
The star power on both sides of the ball is astounding for both teams. This,
like last season would be a matchup between THE two best teams in baseball.
It's hard to pick against Cleveland given what they've done for the past two
seasons, but I'm going to have to. I think this is the Dodgers' year. I said it
after the Darvish trade and I still believe it: The Dodgers will win their
first title since 1988. Dodgers in 7.
2017 World Series Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers
There
you have it! These are my MLB postseason predictions. Who do you have winning
it all? October is for baseball! Enjoy!
