MLB Postseason Predictions
Written by: Charles Vakassian
As the MLB season draws to a close, it is time to look at the current playoff picture, and take a look at who will make it, and who won’t. Plus, we will make our final standings predictions, to see who will end up finishing in what spot in their respective divisions.
Playoff Picture:
American League
The divisional picture is pretty much set, with the Rays, White Sox, and Astros all holding comfortable leads. The Wild Card race is still very much up in the air, with several teams vying for the two spots available. We will take a look at each team, where they stand as of today, and the likelihood of them snagging one of the playoff spots.
Boston Red Sox
Currently two games behind for the Wild Card spot, Boston is in the best position to make the postseason. Their schedule is mostly soft, as they have matchups with the Mets, Orioles, and Nationals left on their schedule. The only roadblock is a tough 3 game set with the Yankees at Fenway Park, which could end up deciding the fate of both teams, as the Yankees are two games behind the Red Sox with 10 games to go.
Toronto Blue Jays
Only a half a game behind, Toronto’s hold is a lot more tenuous, as the Yankees are currently sitting in the Wild Card spot. Toronto has a tougher schedule than Boston, as they have to face the Rays and Yankees, although series with the Twins and Orioles mixed in could prove helpful.
New York Yankees
Currently in the Wild Card but New York has the toughest remaining schedule of all the potential contenders, as after the finish with the Rangers, they have 9 straight against the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Rays. The AL East has been a problem for New York all year, so if they want to make the playoffs, they have to start taking care of business within the division.
Oakland Athletics
A little further out than the rest of the pack, Oakland needs to get hot down the stretch to have a chance. A brutal divisional schedule offers little hope, with multiple series against the Mariners and Astros.
Seattle Mariners
Starting to pick it up a little, the Mariners are in the same boat as the A’s, where any loss is considered to be a huge step back. Matchups against the Angels offer a chance to gain on the teams ahead of them, as do key series against the Athletics.
Playoff Picture:
National League
The NL is seeing much more competition for their divisional crowns. The Brewers have the Central well in hand, but the Phillies are only three games behind the Braves, and the Giants and Dodgers are neck in neck, separated by two games in the standings.
Atlanta Braves
In the driver's seat with only a couple of weeks left, the Braves control their own destiny. Games against the Diamondbacks, slumping Padres, and Mets should allow them to hold onto the NL East crown
Philadelphia Phillies
There is a chance. Games against the Orioles, Pirates, and Marlins should afford the Phillies opportunities to gain on Atlanta. The two teams will face off in Atlanta from the 28th to the 30th, a series that will in all likelihood decide the division
St. Louis Cardinals
A 10 game winning streak has seen the Cardinals surge ahead of the Padres and Reds, and take the last Wild Card spot. A 4 game lead with only 2 weeks left is a very stable cushion. 7 games left with the Cubs should allow for at least 4-5 wins, enough to maintain the lead in the Wild Card. They do also play division leader Milwaukee for 5 more games, but at least winning 2 of those should suffice.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Only two games behind the Giants, the Dodgers have the proper schedule to take over control of the NL West. Series against the Rockies, Diamondbacks, and the reeling Padres afford the Dodgers the chance they need to leap San Francisco and seize control of the division.
San Francisco Giants
With only a two-game lead over the rival Dodgers, the Giants need every win they can get to avoid the Wild Card Game. Similar to the Dodgers, their schedule is also soft, with the Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Padres on the slate.
Final Standings and Playoff Predictions
AL East
Rays 98-64
Red Sox 93-69
Yankees 92-70
Blue Jays 91-71
Orioles 51-111
AL Central
White Sox 93-69
Indians 82-80
Tigers 80-82
Royals 74-88
Twins 69-93
AL West
Astros 95-67
Mariners 88-74
Athletics 86-76
Angels 77-85
Rangers 59-103
NL East
Braves 87-75
Phillies 83-79
Mets 78-84
Marlins 69-93
Nationals 65-97
NL Central
Brewers 96-66
Cardinals 89-73
Reds 83-79
Cubs 70-92
Pirates 61-101
NL West
Giants 103-59
Dodgers 102-60
Padres 84-78
Rockies 75-87
Diamondbacks 52-110
Playoffs
AL Wild Card
Yankees 5, Red Sox 3
- Yankees get enough offense from Judge and Company, and Cole shuts down Sox
NL Wild Card
Dodgers 4, Cardinals 1
- Dodgers pitching staff too dominant for Cardinals to get anything going
ALDS
Rays (3) over Yankees (1)
- Clutch hitting and an elite bullpen do the job for Tampa against a boom or bust Yankee offense
Astros (3) over White Sox (2)
- Astros offense carries the team against an inexperienced playoff team in the White Sox
NLDS
Dodgers (3) over Giants (2)
- Pitching duels all five games, but a deeper Dodgers staff gives them the edge
Brewers (3) over Braves (0)
- Elite pitching from Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta do the job
ALCS
Rays (4) over Astros (3)
- Rays unconventional pitching rotation does the job, Meadows rakes against Houston pitching.
NLCS
Dodgers (4) over Brewers (2)
- Scherzer and Buehler take over
World Series
Dodgers (4) over Rays (2)
- More manpower in LA. Too deep for a Rays squad to handle
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