Baseball Playoffs

MLB Playoff Predictions

Last night we saw Tampa Bay earn the final AL WC spot by defeating the Rangers. That locks in the playoff matchups and we can now make some predictions. Will Greg and Andrew agree or not?

Wildcard Round

AL: Tampa Bay at Cleveland

Greg – Cleveland - I give the edge to Cleveland because A) they are the hottest team in baseball, winners of 10 straight, and B) because their pitching is just better than Tampa's. David Price had to pitch the play-in game, and Matt Moore pitched the last game prior to that to get Tampa to the postseason. They just do not have much pitching depth past that, and Cleveland with Terry Francona at the helm should pull this one game out.

Andrew – Tampa Bay – Both of these teams have probably overachieved this season, but Cleveland has overachieved the most of any team in baseball. I thought all year that reality would set it, so I’m guessing it happens here. Tampa Bay already won a “playoff game” by winning at Texas yesterday. I trust their lineup a little more and I think they can overcome a slight pitching disadvantage.

NL: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh

Greg – Pittsburgh - I give the edge in this game to Pittsburgh. They don't have as much playoff experience, but they do have a shut down pitcher against lefties (Francisco Liriano) facing a left-handed dependent lineup. Liriano has also been much better in Pittsburgh than away from it.

Andrew – Cincinnati – Experience counts for something in the playoffs, and I think this game will show it. I love the power up and down the Reds lineup and even though Liriano will be solid, the Reds have solid pitching also in Cueto.

Divisional Round

AL: Oakland vs. Detroit

Greg – Oakland in 5 - This is a good matchup again between two teams who played last season in the playoffs, with the seeding reversed. Detroit won in 5 games last year, with a better team than they have this season (in my opinion). Justin Verlander is not as dominant as he was, and the Athletics pitching staff has been better. Grant Balfour is a legitimate closer. The Athletics will probably have difficulty scoring, but they seem to have had clutch hits all season long. This series will be no different.

Andrew – Detroit in 4 – This was an easy decision for me for two reasons: 1) I’m not a big believer in the A’s. 2) I’m a huge believer in the Tigers. I love what the Tigers can do on both sides of the ball, and I always say the playoffs come down to big time players. Detroit has 4 by my count (Miggy, Prince, Verlander, Scherzer), and the A’s have 0.

AL: Boston vs. Cleveland/Tampa Bay

Greg – Boston over Cleveland in 5 - Another good matchup. The Red Sox are the best team in baseball at getting through the starting pitcher and to the other teams bullpen. Cleveland's bullpen is not terribly strong, especially against a lineup like Boston's. I like Boston in this series.

Andrew – Boston over Tampa Bay in 4 – Boston has essentially been the best team in baseball all year. They have tremendous depth and so many weapons. Boston will also be very rested which I think is key in baseball.

NL: Atlanta vs. Los Angeles (Dodgers)

Greg – LA in 5 - Pitching wins in the postseason. The Dodgers have better pitching than the Braves, with the exception of their closers, where Atlanta has a definite advantage. These should all be close games, but the Dodgers are a better team overall.

Andrew – LA in 5 – My team goes down here I think. Atlanta was built for the regular season, which they showed, but LA has better starting pitching and more consistent hitters to boot.

NL: St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh/Cincinnati

Greg – Pittsburgh over St. Louis in 5 - I'm a sucker for underdogs, and I like Pittsburgh in this series. They may not have the postseason experience that the Cardinals have, but they have a better bullpen and equally as good starting pitching. Cardinals go home early this year.

Andrew – St. Louis over Cincinnati in 3 – St. Louis is playing great baseball right now and they always perform great in the playoffs. I think they will be just too much for whoever comes out of the WC game, which I think will be the Reds.

Championship Round

AL: Boston vs. Oakland/Detroit

Greg – Boston over Oakland in 6 - East Coast vs. West Coast. Moneyball vs. Moneyball with money. Grinders vs. Grinders. This series will be a good one. Each team has characteristics that I value over the others. Overall, Boston has been the best team in the majors all season, and I think that it will continue. David Ortiz will be the ALCS MVP.

Andrew – Detroit over Boston in 7 – This will be a great series for sure, as I consider these two the heavyweights across the entire league. Both have great hitters and pitchers, but I’m leaning towards Detroit. Prince Fielder I’ll choose as my MVP.

NL: LA vs. St. Louis/Pittsburgh

Greg – Pittsburgh over LA in 7 - I like the Dodgers, but I love the story of Pittsburgh getting to the World Series. Los Angeles won't play well in the colder weather in Pittsburgh and won't win all the games in LA. McCutcheon doesn't have to carry the Pirates anymore and his supporting cast will step up. Neil Walker will be named the MVP.

Andrew – LA over St. Louis in 6 – Hard to pick against the Cards, but I’ve seen enough postseason magic from them for it to continue. LA will get big performances from their entire team and close it out on the road. Kershaw will be named the MVP with 2 wins in the series.

World Series

Boston/Detroit vs. LA/Pittsburgh

Greg – Boston over Pittsburgh in 6 - An intriguing matchup between two well matched teams. The difference will be that Boston's starting pitchers will last longer in games than Pittsburgh's will. The Pirate bullpen will be worn down and surrender some game costing runs to end Pittsburgh's Cinderella run this season. I’ll go out on a limb and say Daniel Nava will win the World Series MVP.

Andrew – Detroit over LA in 7 – Both of these teams started slowly this season, but finally their play equaled the talent over the latter part of the year. I think Puig plays well, but not as well as Miggy, who is the best player in baseball currently. He’ll be named MVP as Detroit wins it at home in Game 7.

By: The Sports Guys