2018 MLB Postseason Predictions

    The 2018 MLB Postseason is officially upon us, so we're back to make our 2018 playoff predictions (post-Wild Card play in). These are just PREDICTIONS about what will happen the rest of the way in October. Feel free to share your predictions with us as well! With that said, let's jump right in:

NLDS: ATLANTA BRAVES vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Machado: traded to Dodgers on August 18.

    This 2018 Atlanta Braves team has surprised a lot of people by being a year ahead of schedule and running away with the NL East in September. The Braves have a solid group of veterans, including NL hits leader Freddie Freeman, All-Star Nick Markakis and Julio Teheran, but the story for the Braves this season has been the prominent rise of their young stars like Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna and Johan Camargo. However, the Braves only have a handful of guys who have tasted the Postseason before and that's where the odds begin to skew in LA's favor. Youth brings energy, but also inexperience. This Dodger team is full of experience. Most of the big pieces the same from last year's World Series run, and they've added veterans Brian Dozier and Manny Machado to the mix. The Braves did not fair well against the Dodgers in the regular season and both Dodger Stadium and SunTrust Park bode well for home run hitting clubs-like the Dodgers. I like this Braves club, and they have a bright future, but I think their young core needs to get another year under their belts before we start talking about them as serious championship contenders. DODGERS IN 4.

NLDS: COLORADO ROCKIES vs. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
    In a tightly contested division, it took the Milwaukee Brewers 163 games to nab the NL Central crown. Similar to their improbable run in 2007, the Colorado Rockies made the postseason on the heels of a red-hot September before beating the Cubs at Wrigley Field in the NL Wild Card game in what many believe to be a shocking upset. This series will definitely be a hitter's paradise, as both mile-high Coors Field and Miller Park in Milwaukee give up their share of runs. There is star power on both sides, so I believe this shortened series will go the distance, but I give the edge to Milwaukee in this one. The red-hot bat of the likely NL MVP Christian Yelich and the playoff experience of 2015 World Series champions Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas will lead a Brewers attack that will prove to much for Rockies pitching. BREWERS IN 5.

ALDS: CLEVELAND INDIANS vs. HOUSTON ASTROS
    It is truly a shame that these two clubs are meeting in the first round, as there's only potential for five games. These are the two most experienced teams in the postseason, having both been to the World Series within the last two seasons. Also, both teams come into this postseason with the nucleus of their respective World Series rosters still intact. Both however, have added huge pieces since then-Garritt Cole for the Astros and Josh Donaldson for the Indians. This is one of the most evenly matched postseason series we've seen in years and I don't see a clear cut advantage, so I'm going to air on the side of more recent history and say: ASTROS IN 5.

ALDS: NEW YORK YANKEES vs. BOSTON RED SOX
    It is the postseason when baseball rivalries come to life and there is no rivalry bigger than the Yankees Red Sox. This is yet another instance where it's a shame that the ALDS is a Best-of-5 series, because it's a disservice to baseball to not have these two meet without potential of a 7-game series. Even though they split the season series pretty evenly (10-9 Red Sox), Boston is clearly the more complete team. Boston does everything well, with a killer pitching staff and undoubtedly the top-2 AL MVP vote-getters (Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez) anchoring an offense that is very balanced, as opposed to a Yankees offense that is the epitome of "strikeouts don't matter." Unfortunately for them, in the postseason, they really, REALLY do. RED SOX IN 5.


NLCS: LOS ANGELES DODGERS vs. MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Yelich: A .326/36/110 line could earn NL MVP honors

  Both of these teams come into this series having been battle tested all season, coming out on top in the two toughest divisions in baseball in 2018. These two teams have very differing offensive styles and that will be the interesting thing to watch in this series. The Dodgers possess a relentless pursuit of the long ball and the Brewers offer a get-'em-up & get-'em-in approach. Pitching will play a huge role in this series, as to who can neutralize the opposing offensive attack better. I think L.A has the advantage there, but it's hard to bet against a brewers team that is coming into the postseason on an 8-game win streak. It will be a hard fought and competitive series, and because of that, it's a toss-up. I think home field and a more grounded offensive approach will be the X-factor. BREWERS IN 6.

ALCS: HOUSTON ASTROS vs. BOSTON RED SOX
    To put it simply: I like Boston here. The Red Sox have been set up to win a title for a couple of years, so I believe it's coming sooner rather than later. Houston boasts one of the best postseason starting rotations we've seen in a long time, but Boston seems to be a team chasing after destiny this year. The defending champs will be no easy out though. RED SOX IN 7.


WORLD SERIES: MILWAUKEE BREWERS vs. BOSTON RED SOX

Martinez: .330 AVG., 43 HR, 130 RBIs in 2018

     At this point in the season, I've learned to trust my gut when it tells me not to bet against Christian Yelich. The Brewers earned home-field advantage in a very tough National League race. They're for real. They wouldn't have gotten to this point if they weren't. With that being said, this Red Sox team feels remarkably similar to the 2013 team after the Boston bombing-a team chasing destiny. The crucial piece of that destiny run came back in the offseason when they signed J.D. Martinez, who has had  his second straight MVP-caliber season. There just seems like this team is too loaded not to fulfill their destiny. RED SOX IN 6.

2017 MLB Postseason Predictions

    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.

AL Wild Card Game: Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankeees

 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

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

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

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 Dodgers
    I'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 

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!

2016: The Year of Champions

    We are now within hours of welcoming in the new year. As usual at this time of year, these are the days that we review what kind of year 2016 was. So, what kind of year was it? That depends on who you ask.

    As a whole, most would say that 2016 was a tough year. Mass shootings, issues with police, a record number of celebrity deaths, and a presidential race with no desirable outcomes, have many counting the hours until this year is behind us.

    Does it make sense to blame a year? Not really. Is putting a 7 instead of a 6 on your check' date line going to make everything better? I doubt it. But 2016 was a hard year for many, regardless. That being said, why do we love sports? I can tell you why I love them. Sports are fun. Watching sports, playing sports, following sports transports us to another world for awhile. Sports provide an escape from life, if only temporarily. Forgetting about the bills you have to pay, the job that may not love, or the heartache you may have suffered, and enjoying the unity and joy of sport, that's why they exist.

    While 2016 may seem like one of the worst years in your memory, as far as the sports world is concerned, view it as one of the best. Sometimes, the harder life gets, the more important cheering for our favorite sports teams or stories can become. So doesn't it seem appropriate that this year in sports came along when we needed it most? Take the next few minutes and come with me as we have a 2016 Sports Year in Review, and see why 2016 will go down as one of the greatest years in sports ever.

Sheriff's Last Ride- Super Bowl 50

Manning walked away a champion in 2016

    When Peyton Manning was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2012 after 13 record-breaking years with the Indianapolis Colts, the question was not if, but when, the man known as "The Sheriff" would bring a Super Bowl title back to the franchise. It may have taken a few years and one more neck surgery, but after a 2013 campaign where Manning broke the NFL record with 55 passing touchdowns, Denver fans knew it would come soon. After an injury-plagued 2015 regular season that saw Manning have statistically the worst season of his career, before being benched for Brock Osweiler, the Broncos still managed to get into the playoffs, where Manning was controversially re-inserted as the team's signal caller. After getting through the AFC Playoffs, the Broncos met the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Denver's defense, and Peyton's best game of the season gave the Broncos the win and gave Peyton his 2nd Super Bowl trophy. Manning also became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises. With his retirement still in question during the season, we weren't certain that we had seen the last on Peyton Manning, but anyone who had watched the postseason, could see that with each passing week, it became more and more apparent that Manning was done. That Super Bowl was his final game, and he went out a champion.

Kobe Drops 60/Warriors Win 73
    April 13, 2016 was a historic night for the NBA. At Staples Center in Los Angeles, 20-year NBA veteran Kobe Bryant was playing his final game for the Lakers against the Utah Jazz. At the exact same time, 371 miles away in Oakland, the Golden State Warriors were trying to break a record previously thought to be unbreakable, by winning their 73 game of the season. On the last night of the regular season, in the same time slot, on two different networks, a historic night was just beginning.

Bryant scored 60 in final game on April 13

    In Oakland, the Warriors were in full control from start to finish against the Memphis Grizzlies, winning the game easily, 125-104. The Warriors won the 73 game, finishing the regular season 73-9, the best record in NBA history. At Staples Center, 37 year old Kobe Bryant played 42 minutes, the most of his farewell season. A player who, throughout his career was seen as a bit of a ball hog, couldn't get rid of the ball on this night, even when he tried. Everyone in the building knew this was Bryant's last game, and the Lakers were well out of playoff contention, so this night was all about Kobe. His teammates forced him to shoot the ball, which he did 50 times. With great volume, came great points. Kobe made 22 of his 50 shots and finished his final game with a remarkable 60 points, including leading a big comeback for the Lakers and winning his final game 101-96. Whether you were rooting for these two events or not, the final night of the NBA season gave us something very special.

Cleveland Rocks
    Long seen as a city of suffering as far as sports teams were concerned, Cleveland sports had not won a major sports championship since 1964. But 2016 was the year of Cleveland sports. LeBron James took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA Finals against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. The Cavs won the championship, ending the 52-year drought for the city, and bringing the franchise it's first title in franchise history. James, born in Akron, Ohio, was overcome with emotion after the win. Bringing a title to his home state was his top priority throughout his career, and 13 years later, his mission was accomplished.

The Cavs celebrate a big year for their city
at Indians World Series game

    The city of Cleveland was satisfied. They had their championship. Then came the home stretch of baseball season. The Cleveland Indians had been one of the best teams in the league all season, but it seemed that the Cavs title energized them even more. The Indians reached the postseason, and won their first six games. They eventually reached the World Series against the Chicago Cubs. The Indians hadn't won a World Series since 1948, and hadn't reached one since 1997. Their opponent, the Cubs, hadn't won a World Series since 1908, and hadn't been to one since 1945. That made this World Series matchup one that was between the two teams with the longest droughts in baseball. After 7 incredible games, the Indians lost to the Cubs, in what many will call the greatest World Series of all time. Despite the loss, being that close to two titles in one year definitely gives Cleveland something to smile about heading into 2017.

The Curse Is Broken

The Cubs were a global phenomenon in 2016
winning their first title in 108 years

    As tragic as the sports history of Cleveland, Ohio is, there is no question that the sports franchise with the most heartache is the Chicago Cubs. Not having won a championship since 1908, and not even getting to one since 1945 was tough to stomach. The Cubs went through years of pain, curses, waiting, and losses that would make a grown man weep. Despite all of this, when the Cubs hired GM Theo Epstein in 2011, Cubs fans knew their time was coming. Epstein was the same man who engineered the Boston Red Sox team that won the 2004 World Series, ending that franchise's 86-year World Series drought. Epstein even brought a second title to Boston in 2007.

    The Cubs had good reason to believe in Epstein. When he was hired, Epstein told fans that he had a 5-year plan to bring Chicago a championship...and he executed that plan perfectly. Five years later, the Lovable Losers found themselves with the best record in Major League Baseball, and heading to the World Series. In the World Series, the Cubs found themselves in a 3-1 series hole, and it looked like the Cubs would have to wait yet another year. Then, the young team came to life, won the next two and forced a Game 7. In what was potential the greatest World Series game of all-time, the Cubs defeated the Indians 8-7 and won their first championship in 108 years. The wait was over, the Cubs were champions, and the Lovable Losers were no more. November 2, 2016 is a night that no baseball fan will ever forget.

It's Time For Dodger Baseball

Vin Scully was Dodgers broadcaster from 1950-2016

    For 67 years, in the ever-changing game of baseball, there was one constant for the Los Angeles Dodgers: Vin Scully. Since 1950, Vin Scully was the voice of Dodger baseball. His one of a kind voice and storytelling ability made him a giant in the industry. Scully made baseball about more than just baseball. From Greek mythology, bottle throwing contests, if there was a story to be told that could be tied into the game, Vin told it with ease and charm, and never missed a beat. In a world of farewell tours, Vin Scully isone man that I was glad announced his last season in advance, giving both Dodger fans and fans of his the opportunity to hear him call games one last time. On a personal note, Vin Scully is a huge reason why I am writing this, and why I make a career out of talking about sports. He is the greatest of all-time. In his farewell address following his final broadcast, he thanked the fans and said, "I needed you way more than you needed me..." No Vin, you have no idea how much baseball fans, aspiring broadcasters, and the game of baseball, needed you. There are no words. Thank you Vin.

    Those were just some highlights from an incredible year in sports. Let's not forget about the retirement of great athletes like Tim Duncan, Marshawn Lynch, and Calvin Johnson. Let's always remember the sports legends we lost this year: Pat Summitt, Gordy Howe, Muhammed Ali, Craig Sager, and a special mention to Jose Fernandez. And who could forget one of the craziest NCAA Tournaments we've seen ending in a buzzer-beater. For all the moments, I neglected to mention, thanks for being a part of one of the greatest sports years in history.

    As 2016 winds down, after a year where it seemed like everyone just needed a break, sports was there. In a year when we needed the escape of sports a little more, the sports world did not disappoint. So long 2016! I'm not sure how 2017 could top it, but I look forward to the effort. What a year! Happy New Year sports fans!