Commentary, Sports

World Series or bust

The MLB postseason began on Tuesday with the Kansas City Royals hosting the Oakland Athletics in the first of two games in the Wild Card round.

Only a handful of teams entered the season with a realistic shot at winning the World Series. Teams like the Detroit Tigers and A’s went all-in on major trades during the season to try to hold off hard-charging division rivals, while the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles had the benefit of playing weak division schedules.

The Pittsburg Pirates and Royals represent the small-market teams who had to outsmart their way to success. With payrolls that rank 27th and 19th, respectively, they had to rely on excellent scouting, drafting and development of young players.

Then you have the two Los Angeles teams. The Dodgers were somehow able to meet unreal expectations, while the Angels went from an organization in turmoil last year to having the best record in baseball. Oh, right, the Giants also made the playoffs.

Now that you know which teams are in, let’s make some predictions on how October will play out.

Wild Card

American League: A’s over the Royals

Jon Lester, for whom the A’s traded outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, has been everything Oakland could have wanted and more. The left-hander went 6-4 with a 2.35 ERA after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox in July.

Kansas City’s first postseason appearance in 29 years will be a short one. Lester has pitched in two different World Series, so the intense atmosphere on the road won’t affect him. The A’s will win and advance to the divisional round where they will face the AL West champion – the Angels.

National League: Giants over the Pirates

The Pirates’ decision to use young right-hander Gerrit Cole last Sunday instead of saving him for the Wild Card game was questionable. They will put their season in the hands of right-hander Edinson Volquez, who, despite having a very good season, is too unreliable to trust in an elimination game.

Volquez will implode, and the Giants will ride left-hander Madison Bumgarner’s dominant start to a trip to the division series against the Nationals.

American League Division Series

Tigers over the Orioles in three

The Tigers are superior to the Orioles in every way. Their rotation consists of three former CY Young winners in Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and David Price. They have the best hitter in the world in first baseman Miguel Cabrera, and a top-five MVP candidate in catcher/designated hitter Victor Martinez. Baltimore’s home field advantage will be negated by Detroit’s pitching staff. The only real worry for the Tigers is their bullpen, which has been awful at times this year.

If the Orioles can get into Detroit’s bullpen in a close game, they might have a chance. The injuries to shortstop Manny Machado and catcher Matt Wieters and suspension of first baseman Chris Davis will be too much to overcome for Baltimore, though.

A’s over the Angels in four

The A’s struggled mightily in the second half of the season, nearly missing out on the playoffs entirely. Meanwhile, the Angels surged to the top of the standings, thanks in large part to outfielder Mike Trout. Trout’s been the best player in the world his first three seasons, and it looks like he’ll finally be rewarded for it with his first of many MVP recognitions.

Trout can’t pitch, though, and the Angels’ rotation leaves much to be desired. The loss of star right-hander Garrett Richards will finally catch up to them, and the A’s rotation will nullify the Angels’ potent offense.

National League Division Series

Dodgers over the Cardinals in four

The Dodgers have the best pitcher in baseball, and their other starters aren’t exactly bums. The Cardinals won’t be able to match the Dodgers’ 1-2 punch of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Two starts by Kershaw and Greinke will secure a series win.

Nationals over the Giants in three

The Nationals will enter the postseason with the deepest rotation in the NL. Their top four in Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister and Gio Gonzales will be too much for the Giants to handle.

American League Championship Series

Tigers over the A’s in seven

This is about as even as a series can get. Both teams have excellent rotations. The Tigers can’t match Oakland’s awesome collection of bullpen arms and team defense, and Detroit is more than capable of just bludgeoning an opponent.

National League Championship Series

Dodgers over the Nationals in six

The return of left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu will be huge for the Dodgers, who can’t afford to give a start to a lesser pitcher. It’s very possible that we see Kershaw make three starts in the series, pitching on short rest for two of them.

Tigers over Dodgers in five

Kershaw and Greinke will be exhausted by this point. The Dodgers’ lack of rotation depth will come back to bite them, while the Tigers will have the benefit of not having their starters overworked. The Dodgers’ bullpen, outside of Kenly Jansen, won’t be able to maintain Cabrera, Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Torii Hunter. The Tigers will win their first World Series in 30 years.

One Comment

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    Detroit Tiger were in the playoffs last year. Title is incorrect.

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