MLB: Divisional Round preview and picks

#1 Los Angeles Dodgers (43-17, 2-0) vs #4 San Diego Padres (35-25, 2-1): The Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers with a combined score of 7-2 in the Wild Card Round. Mookie Betts (.429 BA, 3 RBI) led the way at the plate for Los Angeles, while Julio Urias took Game 1 and Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00 ERA) won Game 2. San Diego has trio Fernando Tatis Jr. (.455 BA, 5 RBI), Manny Machado, and Wil Myers at the plate, but we're not sure their pitching staff is up to the task in this series. Zach Davies and Drew Pomeranz (3 G, 0.00 ERA) will be key for the Padres but the Dodgers are favorites for a reason. LA was just as good on the road (22-8) as at home this year so they shouldn't have any trouble playing this round in Texas.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Dodgers (5)

Charles Post: Dodgers (4)

Raven Martín: Dodgers (4)

Tyler Taylor: Dodgers (5)

MVP Picks:

1. Mookie Betts (Dodgers)

2. Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)

3. Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres)

4. Manny Machado (Padres)

5. Walker Buehler (Dodgers)

#2 Atlanta Braves (35-25, 2-0) vs #6 Miami Marlins (31-29, 2-0): The Braves earned a trip to the NLDS after two straight wins against the Cincinnati Reds. Max Fried (0-0, 0.00 ERA) was phenomenal in a 1-0 victory in Game 1, and Ronald Acuña Jr. (.363 BA, 1 RBI) compiled three hits in a Game 2 blowout. The Marlins, who have the worst odds to win the World Series according to our projections, got here after beating the Cubs by a combined score of 7-1. Sixto Sánchez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) should start one of the first two games and he'll need to put together another impressive performance for Miami to extend this series. Jesús Aguilar (.250 BA, 2 RBI) will also be leaned on as well. Game 1 is set for Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 2:08 PM.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Braves (4)

Charles Post: Braves (4)

Raven Martín: Marlins (5)

Tyler Taylor: Braves (3)

MVP Picks:

1. Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves)

2. Freddie Freeman (Braves)

3. Max Fried (Braves)

4. Jesús Aguilar (Marlins)

5. Mark Melancon (Braves)

#1 Tampa Bay Rays (40-20, 2-0) vs #5 New York Yankees (33-27, 2-0): The Rays were the best team in the AL East from the onset this season, but the Yankees will have a chance to prove it when it matters in October. Game 1 scheduled for Monday, Oct. 5 at 8:07 PM in San Diego. Tampa Bay beat Toronto 3-1 and 8-2 to advance, behind ace Blake Snell (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and left fielder Manuel Margot (.429 BA, 3 RBI). Meanwhile, New York put up 22 runs (and allowed 12) in a two-game sweep over the Indians, as Gleyber Torres (.714 BA, 3 RBI) scored Cleveland's pitching. Will he be able to do the same against the Rays? We'll see. The Yankees will also look to get another quality start out of Gerrit Cole (1-0, 2.57 ERA) on Tuesday night.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Yankees (4)

Charles Post: Yankees (5)

Raven Martín: Rays (5)

Tyler Taylor: Yankees (4)

MVP Picks:

1. Gerrit Cole (Yankees)

2. Aaron Judge (Yankees)

3. Brandon Lowe (Rays)

4. Gleyber Torres (Yankees)

5. Peter Fairbanks (Rays)

#2 Oakland Athletics (36-24, 2-1) vs #6 Houston Astros (29-31, 2-0): The Athletics fell down in Wild Card against the White Sox after a 4-1 loss in Game 1. But the bats woke up in the next two games, combining for 11 runs and allowing seven. Oakland's offense needs to get going even more, though, and Marcus Semien (.250 BA, 2 RBI) should be the focal point. Chris Bassitt (1-0, 1.29 ERA) will take the mound for the A's in Game 1 on Monday, Oct. 5 at 4:07 PM. Lance McCullers will be his opponent in the opener, but the Astros must get another good showing from Zack Greinke (0-0, 2.25 ERA) in Game 3. Houston swept the Twins with 4-1 and 3-1 victories. Look out for Carlos Correa (.500 BA, 1 RBI) to continue his hot streak.

Staff Picks:

Blake Stoll: Astros (3)

Charles Post: Athletics (5)

Raven Martín: Astros (5)

Tyler Taylor: Athletics (5)

MVP Picks:

1. Chris Bassitt (Athletics)

2. Zack Greinke (Astros)

3. Marcus Semien (Athletics)

4. Alex Bregman (Astros)

5. Carlos Correa (Astros)

Photo Credit: Talking Chop.