MLB: Divisional Round Predictions
AL Divisional Round: No. 4 New York Yankees (100-62, 1-0) @ No. 1 Boston Red Sox (108-54): The Red Sox were far and away the best team in the MLB during the regular season, but we still have to wait and see if it can translate to the postseason. Boston has been a really consistent team for much of the decade, but could only reach the World Series in 2013. The team standing in their way is their arch rival, and the second best team in the league. The Yankees were able to beat the Oakland Athletics, ?-?, in the Wild Card to get here. And now we have a series filled with star power including RF Mookie Betts (.346 BA, 32 HR), SP Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11 ERA), SP Luis Severino (19-8, 3.39 ERA), RF Giancarlo Stanton (38 HR, 100 RBI), and many more.
Staff Picks:
Ariun Paige: Red Sox
Blake Stoll: Red Sox
Charles Post: Red Sox
Greg Schwochow: Yankees
Tyler Taylor: Red Sox
Potential MVPs:
1. Mookie Betts
2. J.D. Martinez
3. Miguel Andúja
4. Chris Sale
AL Divisional Round: No. 3 Cleveland Indians (91-71) @ No. 2 Houston Astros (103-59): The Astros are the defending champions, and will be on a quest to win back-to-back titles for the first time since the Yankees did so in the early 2000s. Houston is led by a great infield of 2B Jose Altuve (.315 BA, 168 H), SS Carlos Correa, and 3B Alex Bregman. They also have one of the best aces in the game in SP Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA), who has been electric since being traded to the Astros just over a year ago. It seems like Houston is the better team in this series, but we've seen postseason magic from the Indians before. And with SP Corey Kluber (20-7, 222 K) on your side, you're always going to have a chance.
Staff Picks:
Ariun Paige: Astros
Blake Stoll: Astros
Charles Post: Astros
Greg Schwochow: Astros
Tyler Taylor: Astros
Potential MVPs:
1. Alex Bregman
2. Justin Verlander
3. Jose Altuve
4. Jose Ramirez
NL Divisional Round: No. 5 Colorado Rockies (91-71, 1-0) @ No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers (96-67): The Brewers are riding an eight-game winning streak, including their 3-1 victory over the Cubs in Game 163 just a couple of days ago. Milwaukee was best team in the National League and will have home field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. Despite being the lower seed, the Rockies have a really good opportunity to win this series. They have superstar 3B Nolan Arenado (37 HR, 109 RBI) leading the way at the plate, while RP Wade Davis (43 SV, 4.13 ERA) is one of the most sure-handed pitchers. The Brewers will be looking for CF Christian Yelich (.323 BA, 109 RBI), the likely NL MVP, to lead them to the NLCS for the first time since 2013.
Staff Picks:
Ariun Paige: Brewers
Blake Stoll: Rockies
Charles Post: Brewers
Greg Schwochow: Brewers
Tyler Taylor: Brewers
Potential MVPs:
1. Christian Yelich
2. Lorenzo Cain
3. Nolan Arenado
4. Ryan Braun
NL Divisional Round: No. 3 Atlanta Braves (90-72) @ No. 2 Los Angeles Dodgers (91-71): The Dodgers reached the World Series last year, but came up one game short. Now they're looking to get back there. Los Angeles will being the playoffs on their home field against the Braves. 1B Cody Bellinger (83 R, 144 H) had a really good second year, but will try to improve on his postseason struggles from last season. He's joined by a couple of additions in 3B Manny Machado and LF Matt Kemp. The Dodgers have the juice to win this series, but they'll have to deal with some upstart talent in LF Ronald Acuña and SS Dansby Swanson. Not to mention their veteran leaders in 1B Freddie Freeman (.309 BA, 98 RBI) and SP Mike Foltynewicz (183.0 IP, 202 K).
Staff Picks:
Ariun Paige: Dodgers
Blake Stoll: Dodgers
Charles Post: Dodgers
Greg Schwochow: Braves
Tyler Taylor: Dodgers
Potential MVPs:
1. Yasiel Puig
2. Manny Machado
3. Ronald Acuña
4. Kenley Jansen
Photo Credit: CBS Sports.
