By: Mike Carter
Here goes nothing.
American League
Wild Card Round
Texas Rangers @ Tampa Bay Rays
I think Tampa Bay wins this series over Texas. Tampa Bay is built to win short series with a deep bullpen and deep roster. Rays in three games.
Toronto Blue Jays @ Minnesota Twins
This is the season that Minnesota finally breaks their longtime losing streak in the playoffs and gets past Toronto. I would say that even though they made the playoffs, Toronto has had a disappointing season plagued by underperformance offensively. Minnesota has the pitching to get by here. Twins in three games.
Division Series
Minnesota Twins vs. Houston Astros
Standing in the way of a Minnesota trip to the ALCS are the mighty Houston Astros. They are hard to beat and hard to bet against in a series with all of their big game experience. The Astros get by the Twins here in four games.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles
This is the series I have circled in the AL and I hope it comes to fruition. Two bitter AL East opponents who beat each other up all season. This one could go either way; the upstart Baltimore team is primed to be good for the better part of the next decade. Do they have the pitching to win this series? Someone (I am looking at you, Grayson Rodriguez) will need to step up. Tampa can win close games in a variety of ways, and that will come in handy here. I love their multiple look bullpen and ability to scratch out runs. The pesky Rays in five games.
ALCS
Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays
It’s always going to be tough to pick against the Houston Astros. They have the experience and know how to win big games. Guys like Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker are professional hitters. Do the Astros have enough pitching?
I feel like the Tampa Bay Rays are the team to beat in the American League. Tampa upsets the mighty Houston squad here in six games, riding the big arm of Tyler Glasnow and their bullpen to victory.
National League
Wild Card Round
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers
My lean initially was Milwaukee here, but the news of the scapular injury to ace Brandon Woodruff gave me pause. Arizona has a multitude of young talent led by the effervescent Corbin Carroll and the resurgent Ketel Marte. Same issue many teams face in the playoffs: do they have enough pitching? I think they do to get by the Brew Crew in three games.
Miami Marlins @ Philadelphia Phillies
I love what Miami and GM Kim Ng did at the trade deadline, adding offense with Jake Burger and Josh Bell and heating up at the right time. The Marlins have the starting starting pitching and surprising bullpen depth to win a short series. However, Philadelphia has the edge in experience, and their professional offense coupled with ace starters Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, and their deep bullpen, trumps Miami here. Phillies in two games.
Division Series
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The prize for beating Milwaukee? You get to play the Los Angeles Dodgers. Talk about a professional team of hitters and guys ready for a deep postseason run. The Dodgers win here in four games.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
This is the NL series I have circled and would love to see. Atlanta cruised most of season and had a terrific season. Injuries to experienced veterans Max Fried and Charlie Morton have me concerned for their starting pitching depth. They can slug their way past anyone and have an embarrassment of riches in their bullpen. It feels easy and maybe a bit lazy to pick the Atlanta Braves. They have an incredible lineup featuring Ronald Acuna Jr and his absurd 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases and Matt Olson and his 54 homers. Where they lack right now is starting pitching, but a deep bullpen could get them through.
But will that matter? It remains to be seen. I give the Phillies the edge here in a tough five game series.
NLCS
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Los Angeles Dodgers are another team that seems to do everything right. Led by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, they won 100 games and easily outdistanced the NL West. However, they also have some pitching concerns in their rotation, and that could come back to bite them here. The Phillies have been here before and know how to win tight games. I give them a slight edge here. Phillies in six.
World Series
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies is my pick for the World Series. That means neither team will make it here because I am picking them. I pick Tampa in six, and here is why: they are battle-tested in a very tough AL East. Their +195-run differential is huge. They lack star power but get the job done when it counts; their biggest name player is Randy Arozarena. They play great defense and have a bullpen that gives them many different looks, and in a short series, that could be vital. Someone will unexpectedly show up big for them in this series; it could be some lesser known, talented player like Josh Lowe or Junior Caminero. I love the way they play and go about their business. I think it would also be great for baseball if the Rays won the whole tournament.
What do you think? Who are you picking? Leave your comments and let’s get the debate going! Enjoy this first round of playoffs!