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!

Mile High Mystery

    One of the biggest mysteries in Major League Baseball is the situation in Colorado. The Colorado Rockies are a great organization in a great city. However, that organization has been one shrouded in mediocrity.

    In the 22 years since the organization's birth in 1993, the Rockies have only had seven winning seasons, and three playoff appearances. Colorado's best season came in 2007, when the team won 13 of their last 14 games to sneak into the playoffs, and made an improbable run to the World Series before getting swept in four games by the Boston Red Sox.

Helton's #17 was retired in 2014

    Even so, the Colorado Rockies have never won a division title. Each of their three franchise playoff appearances came as a wild card team. One the biggest reasons for Colorado's struggles is their inability to keep star talent long-term. Matt Holiday, Larry Walker, and most recently, Troy Tulowitzki are among the big name bats who have passed through Colorado, only to go ring-chasing with other teams not long after. Getting the big bats to come through town isn't the big problem, as Colorado's Coors Field is known to be a number boosting hitters park. They were lucky enough to house Todd Helton throughout his entire 16-year career. In fact, he is the only Rockies player to have his number retired by the team. The main issue, that has yet to be solved, is the endless revolving door that is the Rockies' pitching rotation. The thin air in Colorado makes it a difficult place to pitch. In the 22 years of the organization, Colorado has never had a bonafide ace at the top of their rotation. They have had a few former aces come through looking to extend their careers to avoid retirement (Oswalt, Moyer), but never a top of the line guy. There was once a time where they thought Ubaldo Jimenez was the long-awaited answer, but that proved untrue, as he punched a ticket to Cleveland after a couple of years.

Jimenez went 56-45 in 5.5 years with the Rockies

    As I said before, Colorado is a tough place to pitch. The thin air makes the ball travel, and often times, carry out of the park completely. Free agent pitchers are quick to avoid the Rockies, and trades often see star players leave Colorado, not come in. This forces the Rockies to grow all of their own talent on the farm. This includes the highly-anticipated debut of the second pick of the 2013 MLB Draft, Jon Gray, who is set to make his ML debut tonight against the Seattle Mariners.

    It remains to be seen if Gray will provide an answer to Colorado's perpetual pitching woes, but there is always something that can be done.Many people think that the answer is to push the walls of Coors Field back to hold the ball in the park better. Actually, this is not the answer. With a 415-foot center field wall, Colorado's Coors Field is already the fifth largest park in the league dimension-wise. Plus with the league's largest park, Minute Maid Park in Houston, announcing the removal of Tal's Hill in center field, and moving that wall in from 435 feet to 408 feet. Coors Field is about to move up that list. It is also the second largest stadium as far as capacity, so moving the walls out even more would be overkill.

2013 1st round draft pick, Jon Gray, makes ML debut tonight vs. SEA

    A possible answer lies in the pitching itself. Since Colorado has to rely almost entirely on it's farm system for talent, that is how the team can improve. A fastball would work in the thin air of the Mile High City, but not everyone can throw 98 mph. Also, most off-speed pitches flatten in that environment, hurting the pitch's effectiveness. This makes it difficult to pitch effectively in town, and calls for less conventional methods.

    The use of pitches like the sinker and the cutter are on the rise in Major League Baseball, as alternative to the conventional four seam fastball, so that pitchers who can't throw 98 mph can have an effective primary pitch. Since both the sinker and the cutter are variations of the fastball, they rely less on air movement, and are less likely to be effected by Colorado's thin air. Plus, these pitches induce more ground balls, which is the way to get outs at Coors. If you keep the ball on the ground you keep the ball in the park.

Coors Field-5th largest field in majors (depth), 2nd largest (capacity)

    Many big names have had success with one or both of these pitches. Mariano Rivera recorded a Major League record 652 saves with ONE pitch-the cutter. He also likely holds the record for most broken bats. Francisco Liriano had two straight seasons with an ERA above 5.00. He developed a sinker, found a home as a solid number two pitcher on a fantastic Pittsburgh Pirates rotation that is bound for the playoffs. Brandon McCarthy and Giants' rookie Chris Heston both throw heavy sinkers that are huge parts of their arsenals. Heston is a right-hander who compensates for a lack of velocity with crafty movement and deception. 

     While these are just a few names that could be on the Colorado watch list, many of price tags might be a little too high for Colorado  payroll. This brings me to my main point: Colorado could go a long way by teaching their young pitching prospects to throw one of these two pitches. At any level in the system, a sinker who prove beneficial and go a long way with the Colorado club.

    I understand that this is not a fix-all, nothing is, but in Colorado, where good pitching is hard to come by, this could certainly provide a fix of some kind. As we have seen in the last couple of years, the Rockies have put some great young talent on the field behind the pitchers mound, and could be a couple of mound pieces away from a championship run. Colorado is a great baseball town, and they deserve great results.