By: Kelly Byrnes
And then there were eight teams. Some of the old dogs like the Dodgers, Braves and Astros. Liter in a few up in coming teams like the Orioles and Diamondbacks and we some have exciting October baseball to be played over the next few weeks. Sit back and enjoy it!
ALDS: Minnesota Twins (87-75) vs. Houston Astros (90-72)
The Twins finally broke through in the postseason, they won their first game since 2004 and their postseason series since 2002. Their present is the reigning World Series Champs in the Astros. No one in the AL has the postseason experience that the Astros have and that should be a huge advantage for them. I don’t think there is an advantage in the starting rotations, Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez for the Astros and Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray are all legit. Same goes for the offenses, although I am excited to see if Royce Lewis can continue to stay hot after his two HR game in the Wild Card round. I believe this is a well matched up series and the Astros experience will give them the upper hand. As much as it pains me to say this I will, Astros will advance.
ALDS: Texas Rangers (90-72) vs. Baltimore Orioles (101-61)
Hard to believe that one of these teams will represent the American League in the ALCS with a chance at going to the World Series. I’m sure no one outside of those two fan bases thought that was possible back at Spring Training. Rangers’ rookies Josh Jung and Evan Carter had great Wild Card series. I know that it is just two games, but their confidence has to be at an all-time high. Baltimore will counter with a rookie of their own, Gunnar Henderson. This series will be won or lost by some of the best young players in all of baseball. I’m leaning Rangers this series because I believe they have the better and more experienced starters in Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi. I don’t trust the Orioles starters. Rangers in 5 games.
NLDS: Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (100-62)
I hate doing the Dodgers predictions in the postseason. Everyone knows I bleed Dodger blue so when I pick them to win it seems like a “homer” pick. Clayton Kershaw goes for the Dodgers in Game 1 and hopefully it won’t be his last game pitching at Dodger Stadium. The Diamondbacks were a pesky team all year and they seem to get up when playing the Dodgers. Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen go for the Arizona in Game 1 and 2. I think the Dodgers need to win Game 1 because after Kershaw they will have to lean on Bobby Miller and probably another rookie starter. Call me a “homer” if you want but I have the Dodgers advancing to the NLCS.
NLDS: Philadelphia Phillies (90-72) vs. Atlanta Braves (104-58)
This probably the most exciting DS. Atlanta and Philly will both be hopping. The biggest question mark in this series for me is the Braves pitching rotation and the Phillies relievers. We know both offenses are potent. I think the popular pick here is the Phillies upsetting the Braves just like last year but I believe the Braves have learned from the experience. The unsung hero in this series is going to be Austin Riley. Braves advance in 5 very excited and closely played games.