MLB: Championship Series preview and picks
#1 Tampa Bay Rays (40-20, 5-2) vs #6 Houston Astros (29-31, 5-1): Tampa Bay got to this point following a sweep over the Blue Jays (2-0) in the Wild Card round before using five games to eliminate the Yankees (3-2). The Rays lean on a strong pitching staff including Blake Snell (2-1, 2.87 ERA) and Peter Fairbanks, and a consistent offense with Mike Brosseau (.364, 1 HR) and Randy Arozarena as a couple hot bats. Houston, who had the worst regular season record among AL playoff teams, has found themselves in the ALCS for the fourth consecutive year after sweeping the Twins (2-0) and losing just once in the ALDS against division rival the Athletics (3-1). Keep an eye on Carlos Correa (.455, 12 RBI) and Framber Valdez (2-1, 2.00 ERA).
Staff Picks:
Blake Stoll: Astros (7)
Charles Post: Rays (6)
Raven Martín: Rays (5)
Tyler Taylor: Astros (6)
MVP Picks:
1. Blake Snell (Rays)
2. Mike Brosseau (Rays)
3. Carlos Correa (Astros)
4. Jose Altuve (Astros)
5. Brandon Lowe (Rays)
#1 Los Angeles Dodgers (43-17, 5-0) vs #2 Atlanta Braves (35-25, 5-0): Los Angeles came into the playoffs as clear favorites and they've only lived up to the hype thus far. In the opening round, LA made quick work of the Brewers (2-0) before sweeping NL West rival the Padres (3-0) to remain unbeaten in October. The Dodgers will start Walker Buehler in Game 1 and Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 1.93 ERA) in Game 2. Atlanta, the second seed in the NL, have Max Fried (0-0, 3.27 ERA) scheduled for the series opener on Monday, Oct. 12 at 8:08 PM. A few hitters that could swing the series either way include Ronald Acuña Jr. (.273, 1 HR), Cody Bellinger (.316, 5 RBI), Mookie Betts, Travis d'Arnaud, Freddie Freeman, and Corey Seager.
Staff Picks:
Blake Stoll: Dodgers (5)
Charles Post: Dodgers (6)
Raven Martín: Dodgers (7)
Tyler Taylor: Braves (7)
MVP Picks:
1. Mookie Betts (Dodgers)
2. Max Fried (Braves)
3. Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
4. Freddie Freeman (Braves)
5. Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)
Photo Credit: USA Today.
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