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!

Better With Age

    Two of the strangest stories that I have encountered in the MLB this season lie with the two teams on either side of the most heated rivalry in baseball: The Yankees and the Red Sox.

Ortiz has 36 HRs and 101 RBIs this year

    First, earlier this month, Red Sox DH David Ortiz became the first Red Sox players in history to hit 35 home runs in six different seasons with the team. I have no problem believing that David Ortiz has done this, as he seems to end up 35+ HRs and 100 RBIs every year (both of which he has already done this year). Plus the fact that Ortiz is 39 years old and putting up those numbers is even more impressive. The part I have trouble believing is that Ortiz, as good as he is, is the first Red Sox player ever to do that.

    The Boston Red Sox have one of the most storied histories in sports, which includes having some of the greatest players to ever play the game, wear the Red Sox uniform. With guys like Carlton Fisk, Carl, Yastrzemski, Manny Ramirez, Ted Williams (the greatest hitter in MLB history), and Wade Boggs having suited up for Boston in the past, it is hard to believe that none of them hit 35 home runs six times for the Red Sox. But then again, I guess the fact that it is in six separate seasons is the impressive part. Keep swinging your way into the history books Big Papi.

    The other perplexing story in the league this year comes from the Empire State. The New York Yankees are likely heading to the postseason in some fashion in a few weeks. The big question is: How? Usually, when the Yankees are October-bound, the media can't get enough and the Yankees take center stage. This year however, the Yankees are having one of the quietest winning that I have ever witnessed. I didn't believe a quiet winning season was possible in the Big Apple. Maybe it's because the Mets are stealing all the attention with their improbable playoff run. Who knows?

Rodriguez has 2052 career RBIs (2nd all-time)

   But surprisingly, it's not the Yankees' success that I question. It's the person leading the charge. Alex Rodriguez is 40 years old and having one of the best seasons of his life. The problem is that Rodriguez is not like David Ortiz. Ortiz, as I stated before puts up great numbers every year without missing a beat. Rodriguez has missed many beats. A-Rod missed most of the 2013 season for multiple reasons and was suspended for the entire 2014 season for using performance-enhancing drugs. Missing almost a year and a half of baseball would be hard for anyone, but for a 40 year-old, it should have been career suicide. Instead, Alex Rodriguez has 32 home runs and 83 RBIs in 2015, and if it weren't for Toronto's Josh Donaldson, who is all but a shoe-in for American League MVP, Rodriguez would be in that conversation. How does a man of any age rebound from a year and half without baseball...but more importantly how does a man on the back end of his career rebound with MVP-type numbers in a market where media scrutiny is unparalleled...and do so quietly?! I hate to say it, but should the league re-test A-Rod? It's the only thing that seems to make sense.

    Regardless, Boston's David Ortiz and New York's Alex Rodriguez seem to be validating the mantra that some things get better with age.