We have already shared with you who we are watching in the playoffs, but who do we think is going to win? With this week being ALDS and NLDS, that’s where we are going to start.
ALDS: Yankees in 5. Their offense looks healthy and that is the only thing that really matters for me. Oakland in 5. I just don’t trust the Astros pitching staff. Houston in 5. I just don’t think the A’s can survive all the injuries they’ve had.
NLDS: Los Angeles in 4. I just don’t see where LA has a weakness. Atlanta in 4. Sixto is awesome but Freeman, Acuna, Albies, Ozuna, and d’Arnaud are really good and I don’t trust the Marlins offense.
ALDS: I’ll take the Yankees in four over the Rays. The Rays are a great story, with their ability to compete despite a low budget. However, they’re catching the Yankees at the wrong time, with the Bombers being healthy and firing on all offensive cylinders. Plus, fate seems to dictate an Astros/Yankees grudge match. To that point, I see the Astros sweeping Oakland. The As are a good team, and Houston has had injuries (Verlander), but the Astros are post-season tested and will find a way to beat Oakland (legally), setting up an ALCS that will be must-see television.
NLDS: Braves over Marlins in four. The Marlins have had a fun ride in this unique season, but the Braves will end their Cinderella story with relative ease. Though the Braves ended the season with their starters’ ERA 28th in MLB, their bullpen ERA was 4th, and will compensate for their post-Fried starters. The Braves’ lineup in lethal, and they will be too much for Miami. I’ll take the Padres in five over the Dodgers. This should be a great series. The teams finished second (Dodgers) and fourth in MLB in home runs, so offense will not be lacking. Their starting pitching is evenly matched, with LA having an edge in the bullpen. However, there’s something about the Padres that gives me the feeling they will prevail and add to the Dodgers’ frustrations.
ALDS: I’ll take the Rays over the Yankees, but with the momentum the Yankees have this postseason it wouldn’t surprise me if they win as well. My prediction is the Rays in five, but if the Yankees end up winning I think it will go four. For the Athletics-Astros series, I think with the tear the Astros have been on these first two games and the injuries that have hurt the Athletics, it wouldn’t surprise me if they win in four. I am, however, rooting for the A’s.
NLDS: Braves over Marlins in four. I think the Braves are just too dangerous and while the Marlins are a pesky team, I think the Braves offense is just too powerful. The Padres-Dodgers will be a lot more of a toss up. The Dodgers had the edge in the regular season with a 6-4 record against the Padres, and I think their pitching will bode well against the Padres. I’ll take the Dodgers in five.
ALDS: After a home run filled game one and two by the Yankees, I will still take the Rays to advance. I believe they have everything just a little bit better than the Yankees this year, whether it be starting pitching or their lineup. As far as the other matchup goes, and I hate to say it, I have to take the Astros over the A’s. Maybe they know what pitch is coming again somehow, but Guys like George Spring seem to always come alive in the postseason. Add that with a hot Carlos Correa and a Houston team that has whole lot to prove, could lead to another deep October run for the Astros.
NLDS: Although the Marlins have made an incredible run in 2020, the Braves will continue to stay hot and win the series. Former Met Travis d’Arnaud led the way yesterday with a clutch homerun, and we will see more of that as this series goes on. On the other side, it would be the “cool” pick to take the Padres, but the Dodgers are just the far superior team all around. While I do think the Padres are now set up to contend for years to come, in 2020 still the Dodgers are the team to beat in the NL, and they will live up to it starting with an NLDS win against San Diego.
ALDS: The Astro’s over the A’s for sure, I mean, have you seen the way they’re playing these last couple of games? I do believe (or at least want to believe) that it’s legally this time. I also am going to take the Rays over the Yankees. Yes, the Yankees gave a good fight in Game 2, but I just don’t think it’ll be enough.
NLDS: Travis d’Arnaud is going to lead the Braves to an amazing run, this is something Mets fans should already know and have accepted. I love the underdog story of the Marlins, but I just don’t see them beating the Braves. As much as I want to say I choose the Padres, I believe that the Dodgers are the stronger team here.
