Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets are not in the World Series despite our deepest wishes. But the Braves and the Astros are. And if you’re like me, you’re still going to be watching the games… and you probably also have a feeling as to which team is going to take it all.
Here are our predictions.
Patrick Glynn
Astros in six. They’ve got the best offense in baseball, and I don’t see Atlanta holding that down across seven games.
Nate Mendelson
Atlanta in seven. Do I think they’re the better team? No. Do I think Joc Pederson’s pearls have supernatural powers? Yes. The Braves were not supposed to be in the World Series once Ronald Acuña went down. Now with their best player gone, the year of Hank Aaron’s passing, and being rightfully stripped of the All-Star game, the Braves have the baseball narrative gods on their side. If there’s one thing I learned from Homer it’s don’t defy the gods. Odysseus was away from Ithaca for 20 years, Atlanta has been away from a title for 26. It’s time.
Sal Manzo
I have the Astros winning in seven games, but there’s something other-worldly going on in Atlanta it seems, so it really does seem like a toss up. I give the slight edge to Houston, however, because of their veteran leadership and postseason experience. I would also love to see Dusty Baker win a World Series, as it would be the cherry on top of a Hall of Fame baseball resume.
Rich Sparago
I’ll take the Astros in six. This may be a bit of my desired outcome coming through, but I do think it’s possible that Atlanta’s improbable run comes to an end against a very good Astros team. Houston has a solid offense and should be able to break through against the Braves’ starting pitching, though Max Fried and Charlie Morton have had very good years.
I have no problem cheering for the Astros in this series. Yes, they cheated. But it’s the Braves. Yes, many of the same players implicated in the cheating scandal are still on the Houston squad, and they came off as non-repentant. But it’s the Braves. The Braves winning the World Series is the most unacceptable outcome possible, in my opinion. Go Astros.
Mojo Hill
Braves in five. I have no rooting interest in this year’s World Series. The Astros are the better team on paper but the Braves have been hot and anything can happen in the postseason. I’m predicting a fairly uneventful, commanding 4-1 series victory for Atlanta.
Matt Musico
I also have no rooting interest in this year’s World Series — I just want it to go seven games so the baseball season can last as long as it possibly can. While I wouldn’t be surprised with either team taking home that beautiful hunk of metal, the Astros’ offense is just absolutely relentless, so that’s going to be my pick.
Alex Horowitz
This year’s World Series has a clear favorite and a clear underdog. And in recent Fall Classic history, the underdog has seemed to fall just short of completing their Cinderella story. The 2007 Rockies and 2015 Mets (sadly) come to mind when thinking of teams that had magical postseason runs – until they played their final series of the season.
No one expected the 88-win Braves to be here, especially after losing Ronald Acuña Jr. to a season-ending injury. Meanwhile, the Astros are quietly putting together one of the greatest five-year runs of the 21st century. Their offense continues to put up crazy run totals, and that’s the reason why the ‘Stros have a clear advantage here. As great as this Braves run has been, I see their mostly inexperienced lineup falling short on the biggest of stages.
Looking at pitching, both teams have put together some of the best surprises in the league this year. From Charlie Morton to Luis Garcia, the Braves and Astros have gotten excellent pitching performances from the most unlikely of players.
Ultimately, the Astros’ playoff experience will reign supreme, with Houston winning the World Series in five games. Carlos Correa wins World Series MVP. After winning two championships in Houston, I think Correa moves on to a new challenge with a not-too-shabby $300 million deal. Maybe the Mets are the ones to bring out the checkbook for the star shortstop…
Alexis Farinacci
I’m going to go with the underdog Atlanta and say it comes down to six games. I think Atlanta has a lot of momentum after beating Los Angeles, and Rosario is going to be a big factor in this World Series for the Braves.
I agree that Houston is the better team on paper, but I think Atlanta is going to play well and thrive off the pressure of being the underdog in this one.
Mike Mayer
I’m taking the Astros in 5 games. The Astros are simply the superior team here and I believe that will bring them the title in short order. I just don’t think the Braves pitching staff has the arms to slow down the Astros hitters and that’s ultimately the deciding factor in this series.
Michelle Ioannou
I think the series is totally gonna go into at least Game 6, and likely Game 7. The Astros are the better team for sure, but for some reason, I have a feeling the Braves are going to pull this one out in the end. Is it because of how my childhood was ruled by the Braves always winning? Maybe…
