Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Sports

Looking Forward To October: Potential MLB Postseason Duels and Predictions

October is just around the corner and it's finally time to get excited for the playoffs.

Nithik Balachandran

Aug 23, 2019

Alpharetta, Georgia

Looking Forward To October: Potential MLB Postseason Duels and Predictions

Wikimedia Commons

(Data and statistics were referenced either from MLB or FanGraphs.)

With huge powerhouses in the American League with the Astros, Yankees and Twins along with the powerful front runner in the National League with the Dodgers, there's some exciting baseball to look forward to in October. The wild card teams, the Nationals, Cardinals, Indians and Rays, look to overthrow these powerhouses with a surprise showing and make a statement. There is still a whole month plus of baseball left, however, so don't get comfortable just yet! Without further ado, here is the current playoff picture based on MLB standings and FanGraph's predictions along with my predictions.

National League

NL Wild Card: Nationals over Cardinals

The Nationals have yet to win a postseason series (or wild card for that matter), but I expect them to pull through against an always above-average Cardinals team. They will still have to fight through that Cardinals postseason magic that has seemed to follow them over the last couple of decades.

NL Divisional Series 1: Dodgers over Nationals in 4

Again, I still think that the Nationals will continue their run of never winning a postseason series, not because they have a bad team, but because the Dodgers are so unbelievably good this year that thinking they will lose with the home-field advantage is crazy.

NL Divisional Series 2: Braves over Cubs in 5

The Braves have been a dominant team versus Chicago this year, going 5-2 against them, and 2-2 in Chicago once the Cubs got going. With the way Ozzie Albies owns the Cubs at Wrigley and the Braves having the home-field advantage, I can not see the Cubs taking this series, although they will put up a good fight.

NL Championship Series: Dodgers over Braves in 6

The Braves are the second best team in the National League and will hopefully make the NLCS, but even they are not nearly as good as the Dodgers. The Dodgers are just so good at home and the Braves play poorly in LA, which makes for a lopsided battle. But the Braves just took two out of three games against LA in Atlanta for the first time in six years and with a damaged squad too, so there is life yet for the Braves.

In the hunt: Mets, Phillies, Brewers, Giants, Diamondbacks

All of these teams are within four games of the NL Wild Card, so these teams cannot be counted out just yet. With a good September, we may see a different team in that second wild card spot.

American League

AL Wild Card: Indians over Rays

The Indians just have more postseason experience and a better suited team to playoff baseball than the Rays, who I think are on the border of being a serious contender for years to come. The Rays have been playing great ball and using strategies such as the "opener," but I think their run ends here.

AL Divisional Series 1: Yankees over Indians in 3

I really believe the Indians will just get steamrolled by a World Series-hungry Yankees looking to make a deep run. They have all the tools laid out in place and I think DJ LeMahieu will be a major factor. But with the Yankees poor starting pitching as of late, we may have to wait and see.

AL Divisional Series 2: Astros over Twins in 4

The Twins are good, don't get me wrong. But the Astros pitching is a lot better and their offense can certainly compete with all the home run hitters that the Twins have. The Twins will use the pop in their bats and show a glimpse into the future for their franchise, but will lose in four games.

AL Championship Series: Astros over Yankees in 7

Now this is the potential matchup I am most excited for. A passionate team versus a historically dominant franchise? I think this will be a well-contested battle up until the very last pitch in game seven. I think the Yankees have a legitimate shot with where their offense is right now, but I think how their pitching performs against the Astros pitching is going to be the deciding factor in this series. With the Astros adding Greinke at the deadline and some good bullpen arms, I put them ahead of the Yankees.

In the hunt: Athletics

The A's are just one game back right now of the AL Wild Card, so they have a legitimate chance to knock out the Rays in the race. Other than them, there probably will not be any changes in the postseason picture.

World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Houston Astros in 7 games

Barring some sort of crazy chain of events, I expect to see a repeat of the 2017 World Series again. The true powerhouses will meet head to head once again in a battle for the ages. There's going to be lots of power on both sides and passionate crowds in both stadiums. But who really knows if both teams will even meet in the Fall Classic? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

sports

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

230

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

843

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

senior year

Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Western New England University

125

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

Denison University

500

Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.