MLB: Predicting each divisional series
#4 Washington Nationals (93-69, 1-0) @ #1 Los Angeles Dodgers (106-56): The Nationals barely came back to beat the Brewers, 4-3, in the NL Wild Card game earlier in the week. While it is a very nice win for the franchise, don’t expect it to carry over against the Dodgers. Los Angeles is led by NL MVP favorite Cody Bellinger (.305, 47 HR) and should earn their fourth straight appearance in the NLCS.
Blake Stoll: Dodgers
Charles Post: Dodgers
Raven Martin: Dodgers
Tyler Taylor: Dodgers
#3 St. Louis Cardinals (91-71) @ #2 Atlanta Braves (97-65): The Cardinals and Braves are both coming into this series with just a 1-4 record in their last five outings. Not exactly the way to head into the postseason but the Braves, who went 50-31 at home, are favored to advance despite their mediocre finish. Dallas Keuchel (8-8, 3.75 ERA) will start Game 1 for Atlanta and the Braves are led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (.295, 41 HR) and Freddie Freeman.
Blake Stoll: Cardinals
Charles Post: Braves
Raven Martin: Cardinals
Tyler Taylor: Braves
#5 Tampa Bay Rays (96-66, 1-0) @ #1 Houston Astros (107-55): The Rays looked really good in their 5-1 win over the Athletics on Oct. 2 with Charlie Morton (16-6, 3.05 ERA) on the mound but we don’t see them being able to consistently get to Justin Verlander (21-6, 2.58 ERA) and the rest of the Astros pitching staff. Houston just has too much firepower to lose this series with guys like Alex Bregman (.296, 41 HR) and Michael Brantley.
Blake Stoll: Astros
Charles Post: Astros
Raven Martin: Astros
Tyler Taylor: Astros
#3 Minnesota Twins (101-61) @ #2 New York Yankees (103-59): The Twins and Yankees combine for 204 wins during the regular season which is the highest total of any of the four divisional series matchups. Both teams have big time home run hitters in Minnesota’s Nelson Cruz (.311, 41 HR) and Gleyber Torres (.278, 38 HR) of the Yankees. Also look out for Masahiro Tanaka (11-9, 4.45 ERA) on the mound for New York.
Blake Stoll: Twins
Charles Post: Yankees
Raven Martin: Twins
Tyler Taylor: Yankees
Photo Credit: NBC Sports.
