MLB: ALCS & NLCS Preview
Well, how about we just act like the Wild Card and Divisional Series' didn't even happen, okay? We wish our predictions for the first week and a half of October baseball were more accurate (Stoll: 2-4, Post: 1-5), but there is always a lesson in bad picks. That lesson in 2016; stay away from the teams that are expected to advance. With that said, the Cubs and Indians hold home field advantage in the Championship Series', with the Dodgers and Blue Jays being the guests, respectively. Enjoy our preview and predictions for the next round of the MLB Playoffs, and take our thoughts with a grain of salt, and always remember; who really knows anything about sports?
Before we get to the preview of the AL/NLCS rounds, here is a breakdown of the the WC and DS Rounds:
No. 4 Blue Jays (3-0) over No. 1 Rangers.
MVP: Josh Donaldson (3B) -- 7-13, 3 RBI.
No. 2 Indians (3-0) over No. 3 Red Sox.
MVP: Corey Kluber (SP) -- 1-0, 0.00 ERA.
No. 1 Cubs (3-1) over No. 5 Giants.
MVP: Javier Baez (2B) -- 6-16, 2 RBI.
No. 3 Dodgers (3-2) over No. 2 Nationals.
MVP: Clayton Kershaw (SP) -- 1-0, 5.84 ERA.
Championship Series' Preview:
AL Championship Series -- Friday, October 14:
Toronto Blue Jays (89-73, 4-0) @ Cleveland Indians (94-67, 3-0)
Stoll: The Blue Jays are the team that came out of the AL Wild Card game against the Orioles. They also swept the No. 1 seed in the AL, the Rangers. I don’t think anybody expected the Indians to have the season that they did and make it to the ALCS. This series will come down to the bats on both sides. Although the NL will come down to a battle on the ends of the lineups, the ALCS will test the strength of the heart of it. Toronto features Donaldson (37 HR), Encarnacion (127 RBI), and Bautista (22 HR) while Cleveland boasts Kipnis (23 HR), Lindor (78 RBI), and Napoli (34 HR).
Prediction: Blue Jays (4-3)
MVP: Josh Donaldson (3B)
Post: Toronto (4-0 in the playoffs) comes in on fire, looking like the team to beat even if they are the lowest seeded team remaining. The Blue Jays are led by stud 3B Josh Donaldson (.284, 37 HR), but the talent is far from over with him. Edwin Encarnacion (42 HR, 127 RBI) is at the top of his game and Jose Bautista (.234, 22 HR) will be looking to rebound after struggling the last two games. Marco Estrada (1-0, 1.08 ERA in the playoffs) will take the hill in Game 1, followed by J.A. Happ, and Marcus Stroman. Toronto's rotation has been solid but Roberto Osuna, the closer, dominated Baltimore and Texas. In the other dugout, the home Indians (3-0 in the playoffs) boast Francisco Lindor (.301, 78 RBI), Jason Kipnis (23 HR, 82 RBI), and Carlos Santana (.259, 34 HR). Coming off of a dominant sweep of the MLB's best offense, the Red Sox, Cleveland will look to continue riding the momentum. Corey Kluber (1-0, 0.00 ERA in the playoffs) will start Game 1 after shutting down Boston for seven scoreless innings last week. Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin will follow in Game 2 and 3, while Andrew Miller is sure to play a key role, opposite of Osuna. I think with home field advantage, Kluber playing at the top of his game, Miller in the bullpen, and a balanced offense; the Indians win.
Prediction: Indians (4-3)
MVP: Corey Kluber (SP)
NL Championship Series -- Saturday, October 15:
Los Angeles Dodgers (91-71, 3-2) @ Chicago Cubs (103-58, 3-1)
Stoll: The Dodgers were the only team to come out on top in a complete five games. They won each of their three games needed by one run. The Cubs won in four games winning two of the three games by one run and the other by three. Both teams pitching performed in a solid manner. The winner of this series will need to get hot at the plate. In the scheme of it all, Chicago has the better bats at the end of their lineup. 6-7-8 batters are Heyward, Baez, Ross compared to Pederson, Grandal, and Toles. The bottom of the lineup for the Cubs has been a big part of them winning 103 games. Also, their rotation is solid from top to bottom; Lester, Hendricks, Arrieta. and Lackey. Aroldis Chapman is also a huge plus coming in for close situations.
Prediction: Cubs (4-2)
MVP: Jon Lester (SP)
Post: Los Angeles (3-2 in the playoffs) was involved in the only series to go the distance in the Divisional Round. The problem with playing five games is the rotation gets off balance. Instead of having Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 5.84 ERA, 1 Save in the playoffs) starting, Kenta Maeda (0-1, 12.00 ERA in the playoffs) will be challenged with taking on the Cubs and Jon Lester. An upside for the Dodgers is their offense has experienced success in the last two months, with guys like Corey Seager (.308, 26 HR), Adrian Gonzalez (18 HR, 90 RBI), and Justin Turner (.275, 90 RBI) running the show. For the Dodgers to have any chance at upsetting Chicago, the starters must be successful, but the bullpen (Joe Blanton: 1-0 and Kenley Jansen) will be key. But let's be honest; the Cubs aren't losing. Javier Baez (.273, 14 HR) is coming into his own, as stabilizers like MVP candidate Kris Bryant (.292, 39 HR) and utility man Ben Zobrist (18 HR, 76 RBI) are holding down the fort. If Anthony Rizzo can get going, watch out. Meanwhile, Lester (1-0, 0.00 ERA in the playoffs) is looking like the Cy Young winner, who is spelled by Kyle Hendricks (Game 2 Starter) and Jake Arrieta (Game 3 Starter), not to mention MR Travis Wood (1-0 in the playoffs) and CL Aroldis Chapman (3 Saves) making batters look foolish out of the 'pen. I don't see any way the Dodgers upset the favored Cubs. Chicago is far too talented and deep, and their first round clincher against the Giants, proved to me that these Cubs are destined to win it all.
Prediction: Cubs (4-1)
MVP: Jon Lester (SP)
Photo Credit: NorthJersey.com.
