MLB: Wild Card Predictions

AL Wild Card: No. 5 Oakland Athletics (97-65) @ No. 4 New York Yankees (100-62): The Yankees have the third best record in all of baseball, but because of the Wild Card rules, they're considered the fourth seed in the American League. They'll play host to the Athletics in the win-or-go-home matchup, and it should be a fun game. Both teams can put up runs with the best of them, which means this might come down to pitching. SP Luis Severino (19-8, 3.39 ERA) seems like the obvious choice to be New York's starter, but SP J.A. Happ is an option too. It's still up in the air for Oakland's guy. RF Giancarlo Stanton (38 HR, 100 RBI) will play in his first playoff game, and he will have a shot to help the Yankees advance.

Staff Picks:

Ariun Paige: Yankees

Blake Stoll: Yankees

Charles Post: Yankees

Greg Schwochow: Yankees

Tyler Taylor: Yankees

Potential MVPs:

1. Aaron Judge

2. Giancarlo Stanton

3. Gleybar Torres

4. Khris Davis

NL Wild Card: No. 5 Colorado Rockies (91-71) @ No. 4 Chicago Cubs (95-68): The Cubs tied for the best record in the National League, but lost Game 163 to the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. Which meant they have to settle for the Wild Card game. Chicago has been a regular in the postseason over the last four years, but weren't able to win the NL Central for the first time since 2015. The Cubs are led by SS Javier Báez (111 RBI, 175 H) and SP Jon Lester (18-6, 7.38 K/9), the latter of who should start this game. Both players were big reasons why Chicago won the World Series two seasons ago. Colorado boasts a pair of great hitters: 3B Nolan Arenado (37 HR, 109 RBI) and CF Charlie Blackmon. This should come down to the wire.

Staff Picks:

Ariun Paige: Cubs

Blake Stoll: Rockies

Charles Post: Cubs

Greg Schwochow: Cubs

Tyler Taylor: Cubs

Potential MVPs:

1. Javier Báez

2. Kris Bryant

3. Nolan Arenado

4. Daniel Murphy

Photo Credit: Newsday.