There’s a ton of baseball yet to be played, and the trade deadline is likely to result in some drastically-changed rosters. But since we’re now at the All-Star break, the season’s unofficial halfway point, it seems as good a time as any to ask the readership about their picks for the Fall Classic.
We’ll break the questions down by American League and National League, and even this deep into the season, there aren’t that many teams who seem firmly out of the race. The NL is particularly crowded, to the point that while the Giants seem like major postseason longshots and will likely be deadline sellers, they’re still only 5.5 games back of the wild card. In the AL, the White Sox face longer odds to get into the playoffs (seven games back of the wild card, 12.5 games behind Minnesota in the Central), but they also have a respectable 42-44 record.
With apologies to the Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Blue Jays, Marlins, Mariners, and Mets, they’ve all been left out of the polls. (If any of these teams goes on a Miracle Braves type of run and ends up winning the pennant, I am fully aware that fans of this team will throw this post back in my face for the rest of time.) That leaves a whopping 23 teams still technically in the mix, and while a lot would have to go right for some of these clubs to develop into true contenders, there’s always still a chance.
Who do you think will be representing their league in the World Series? (For Trade Rumors app users, here are the links to the AL poll and the NL poll)
Yankees vs Dodgers
I just threw up in my mouth.
I’ve never heard that before. Did you just make it up? Hilarious. You should be on TV.
Well, we do save our best material for the MLBTR comments section
That would have been a lot more popular of a series 2 years ago.
It would be a great series. Yanks in six.
Ha!
Agreed. Too easy a pick. Everyone else is JV
Considering they are both playing a in August, kinda kills the drama.
I agree….An Old Fashion Yankees – Dodgers World Series !!!! Two Iconic Organization!!!
Well, we know the Dodgers won’t be winning the World Series. Cus it’s the Dodgers.
As a dodgers fan I just had a sad laugh at that. It’s too painfully true.
As a Giants’ fan, I laugh at your pain. Because if the Giants can’t win (which they won’t) at least the Dodgers can lose.
Atta boy, Mr. Slash. Ever the human clown shoe
As a Giant’s fan I may have enjoyed that in the past, but history is nothing to rely on. The Dodgers have a reasonable chance, I don’t see them as NL champs, but it’s close. They are one of the top 2-3 teams in the NL, and all it takes is a little luck. I do not expect it, but I also would not be surprised by a WS title for the Dodgers in 2019.
Do you mean the Buffalo Bills?
Bills never won championships, Dodgers have. I would put the 2010=11 Rangers as the Buffalo Bills
Yeah 41 ago when they had oral sexshizer!
My hunch is a team from the National League will play against a team from the American League in rhe World Series. Out on a limb, I know.
You have to be kidding me…
Yankees dodgers, can we punt this year please? Just start spring training
Ya, punt it like the cubs have punted all but one season in a 111 years.
Sox fan. Thanks. Two teams in Chicago bud
Smile.
Orioles vs Marlins, easy
Astros and Dodgers The two most balanced, talented and plenty of playoff experience.
two chokers!
You mean how the Astros choked their way to the 2017 WS title?
I pretty much consider the AL Astros as an expansion team, and the NL Astros as a defunct team that folded. They should’ve considered a name change when they switched leagues.
This might be the dumbest comment in the history of MLBTR
Couple of choke artist teams
Tigers vs. Marlins
Astro and dodgers
Ditto
Yankees vs Braves
Brewers and Rays… would be the ideal choice, but the fan in me wants Rangers and D-Backs lol… either of these are unlikely but a fan can dream
Twins vs. Braves rematch
I didn’t pick either team, but I like it.
I went one reasonable pick, and one hunch because the AL is open: Rays and Dodgers.
The voting, so far, says Yankees and Dodgers, but I don’t see it unless both teams make significant additions. LA has played in the last 2 WS, and I think the long seasons will catch up to them. There are reasons why it’s so hard to repeat and the all those extra games/innings in the PS is one of them.
And the Yankees need rotation help. So far they’ve been bludgeoning other teams with their hitting, but hitting seems to disappear in the PS. Astros seem more complete. Not that they couldn’t use some pitching help as well, but as they are now I like the Astros. I put the Twins a close second.
Every team is flawed if you put them under the microscope. IMO the Dodgers are far and away the least flawed team in the NL. The bullpen is the only issue but when has that really ever been their bread and butter? Seems like it’s the same thing every year. Maeda goes to the pen and they make it work. They’re much deeper offensively then the rest of the NL.
The AL looks to be completely up for grabs. I picked the Stros but that’s assuming they grab a 3rd starter. As it stands today I don’t want anyone other than Cole or Verlander starting in October for that team. The Yankees could also take the crown . Similar rotation question marks but they don’t have Cole and Verlander. If they win the pennant it will be because of that pen they built.
I agree about the Dodgers and how good/deep they are. But I still think all the extra PS innings that the pitching staff has thrown, with 2 straight trip to the WS, are going to catch up to them.
Buehler is in his 2nd season. Ryu just had a 3 year postseason gap. Kershaw and Hill age fine. Thats a reach. This is the best Dodger team in this decade easy
Love how you gloss over “Kershaw and Hill are fine”. There is no other rotation in MLB with more health question marks than the one with Ryu, Hill, and Kershaw in it. Sure, they could get lucky, and defy history, a WS title needs luck, but I’d also say don’t let your fandom cloud your objectivity.
Every rotation has injury concerns dude. Your just reaching hard cause your a Giants fan. There is no rotation in the NL that even comes close to them. Kershaw is starting game 3 and you can make all the choking jokes you want, that shows how deep they are
Though I’m a Giant;s fan, I try to be as objective as possible. I recognize the greatness of Kershaw. People called Bonds a choker until the 2002 WS proved them wrong, and I think Kershaw will do likewise. And maybe you’re confusing me with another Giant’s fan, but I have not ever made a choking joke or reference ever to Kershaw or even about the Dodger team. Getting to the WS is huge. Their recent record speaks for its self.
That said, sorry dude, but I am not reaching hard. It may be that the Dodger’s rotation will remain healthy for the rest of the regular season, and throughout the playoffs. It is not beyond the realm of possibility. But if I had to choose one rotation among the top teams with the biggest health questions, it’s the Dodgers.
Given the health history of Ryu, Hill, and Kershaw, if you assume there is no trepidation about them staying healthy, you’re deluding yourself. It could happen, but If I were a Dodger fan, it would be my biggest worry.
Other than Kershaw’s 175IP in ‘17 and 161IP in ‘18, none of the Dodgers pitchers you mentioned (nor any you didn’t) have logged more than 150 innings pitched during the regular season in the past two seasons. The Dodgers have been limiting their starters innings for a while now so even with those postseason innings added, most if not all of their pitchers are still pitching less than 200 innings per season. There are a few MLB rotations out there with more health questions than the one that Kershaw, Hill, and Ryu belong to, one of them isn’t too far away, it’s a rotation with Cueto, Samardzija, Pomeranz, and Bumgarner.
You had me there for awhile. I can appreciate a well-founded argument. That is until the end. Why are you bringing up Cueto? Clutching for straws? Cueto is out of the rotation, had TJ surgery, and I suspect will not pitch until 2020. Historically, Samardzija has been extremely durable, only losing time in one season 2018. Bumgarner’s issues have been of the freak variety, and otherwise he’s been a horse.
But the question is why are you bringing up the Giant’s rotation? The Giants, unlike the Dodgers, are not expected to make the PS. Their health is irrelevant. And why are the Dodgers taking such extraordinary steps to limit the innings by their starters if they themselves are not concerned about the durability of the staff?
Lie to yourself all you want. All teams have injury issues with their pitching staff. But the fact remains, no other team, with hopes of a WS title, have a history of health issues as concerning as the Dodgers.
They aren’t taking any steps to limit the innings of their starters, let alone, extraordinary steps.
According to apparent Dodger fan ‘frankiegxii’ they are. See his post above. I was responding to that post which stated: “The Dodgers have been limiting their starters innings for a while now…”
So which is it? I don’t foll;ow the Dodgers that closely, and being somewhat trusting, I believe it when a Dodger fan tells me the team is limiting the starters inning. Then another Dodger fan tells me they aren’t, What am I to believe? You Dodger fans need to get your story straight.
Well, frankiegxii is wrong or at the very least is misinterpreting the numbers. Though the Dodgers do like to use their starting pitching depth to lengthen out the rotation from time to time, this is mostly because they have that luxury, not because they need to do it any more than any other team. Most of those missed innings are due to injuries specific to a player.
Kershaw’s back problem is always going to be a risk for recurrence, but they are not taking any measures to limit his innings when he isn’t hurt.
Ryu has been injured a few times, but again, he throws a typical number of innings when not injured.
Bueller was slow-started in Spring Training and into the beginning of the season, but that is mainly a function of his youth and of him being used more in the previous season than planned. He is now up to full strength and they are not limiting him in any apparent way.
Maeda is not being innings limited either even though the structure of his contract gives the Dodgers a huge incentive to do so.
Hill wasn’t being limited until his injury. We will see what we get from him if/when he comes back from the injury (likely August) but chances are he’ll be treated gingerly for a few starts at least, but nothing you would not expect coming back from that sort of injury.
By limiting their innings I meant lightening their workload, kinda thought it was obvious but then again this IS the internet…Although some guys actually were on soft inning limits like Buehler, Urias, and Ryu. Kershaw himself was quoted as saying he felt tired during the postseason, presumably from pitching either a lot of innings or racking up high pitch counts in long outings. Hey tad, dude, calm down, I can feel your blood pressure rising from here, I thought up the giants rotation because you said “There is no other rotation in MLB with more health question marks than the one with Ryu, Hill, and Kershaw in it”, and last I checked those giants pitchers have had injuries in the last couple years whether it was accidental or not.
I kind of think you are asking me to repeat everything I’ve already said, so I think I’m not going to do that. What Kershaw was quoted as saying is not even close to relevant (I mean, what player isn’t tired by the postseason?) and we’re not really seeing any limits soft or otherwise for the starters except as already explained. Urias BTW has not been a starter for three years except for some bullpen games where he was used first.
Not sure how you interpreted what I said as a question, I wasn’t even talking to you, but here’s your proof- “There were certain plans that we put together for each guy — even trying to limit the number of starts,” Honeycutt said. “With each one of those guys that had limited innings last year, we needed to be very conscious of that fact and try to keep them as fresh as possible and as healthy as possible.”
Kershaw was responsible for half of the Dodgers’ starts of more than 100 pitches, which makes sense: He’s the best pitcher in the world, so it stands to reason that there are more situations in which Roberts might prefer Kershaw at 100 pitches than any of his relievers right out of the bullpen. But Kershaw’s 10 100-plus pitches were a new career low. And during a media session before Game 5 of the NLCS against the Cubs, Kershaw admitted that he felt “taxed” during last year’s postseason, but not in this one.
“I feel normal, which is great,” Kershaw said.
To answer your question, apparently Kershaw isn’t tired by the postseason. I thought it was widely known among Dodger fans that the Dodgers purposely lighten their pitchers workloads (whether an injury happens, a few starts are skipped, or there’s a trip to the phantom IL) so that they’re fresh for the postseason.
The Braves offense is deeper than LA’s.
Can the braves call up rookies and have walk off hits??? #rookiegreatness
Heh heh.
Braves starting eight are all at least 102 OPS+. How many teams can say that? Not the Dodgers.
Nah, Yanks could easily win it all with what they’ve got, especially with Betances and Severino returning. Twins ahead of the Yanks? Lol, you’re out of your mind.
There are 13 NL clubs listed.
Way to go Mets!!!
I have Yankees vs Nationals
Scherzer throws a gem in the wild card game and Strasberg and Corbin step up.
I would be ok with that but the fairytale ends in the Series. Pretty confident it’s Ny/La. of any two teams have another shot it’s Atlanta and Houston
Astros trade for Scherzer, go on to win WS.
Scherzer isn’t getting traded. They hold a wild card spot now. He’s the best pitcher in the NL. That is exactly what a wild card team needs.
twins-dodgers unless umps hand it to the yankees again.
You managed to say 2 stupid things in the span of 10 words. I have to say that’s pretty impressive
I believe he’s a Mets fan so the stupidity was already there.
umps hand it to Yankees again?
Astros vs Nationals
Dodgers vs. Twins.
Strange how little love the Twins are getting here. They are at least as good as the Yankees and the Astros but you wouldn’t know that from the voting.
Twins are very good. I just have a problem with their starting pitching. Odorizzi and Berrios have been great, but outside of that, it’s been mediocre.
No, Odorizzi and Berrios have been good (not great), and outside of that the rest have been above average. They need a headline starter and a headline reliever to stand a chance down the stretch or in the playoffs.
Not surprising at all to me. The Indians have made up a ton of ground in the division and could realistically catch them. Jake Odorizzi is falling back into the mid rotation starter he is and Berrios is really the only front line guy there. The pen has performed well thus far but the underlying metrics suggest regression. And let’s be honest we all expect regression from the no name guys down there like Ryne Harper and Tyler Duffey.
I’d pick the Rays over the Twins making the WS today if I had to choose. Especially if the Twins get in the WC game. I don’t see them beating TB in that. Extremely deep lineup though, it’s reminiscent of some of those orioles playoff teams from 2012-2016. Lot of mashers.
You can predict the outcome of a single game? Played three months from now?
BlueSky what do we do here? We all make predictions. I don’t have a crystal ball and neither do you. It’s an opinion. BTW your boy Beaty is uhh not looking quite as good, eh?
What a strange response. I suppose you didn’t have a better one. Anyhow, back to the subject you are trying to change. According to the voting here, the Yankees are four times more likely to win the World Series than the Twins and the Astros more than twice as likely. But here’s how Baseball Reference handicaps World Series probabilities for the leading AL teams:
Yankees: 11.1%
Astros: 14.2%
Twins: 14.2%
Seems like the voting isn’t within hailing distance from reality, maybe for reasons that have more to do with fandom than baseball. That was my point. What was yours?
You asked me if I could predict the outcome of a single game 3 months from now. Yet, when you predict two teams to go to the WS you predict multiple games 3 months from now. It was just a prediction. The twins have a strong mathematical chance at making the WS I never denied that. I just don’t think the team is going to do so.
and BTW it was clear I was responding to your second post which asked me if I could predict the outcome of a single game 3 months from now. No, I cannot say that with certainty. Neither can you about your WS prediction. That’s why it’s a prediction. I don’t know why you took any offense to that. Considering your question I don’t think my answer was ignorant. I had no issue w your first post at all.
The Twins mathematical odds are strong as of today. If you believe the Indians may catch them those odds wouldn’t mean very much. I would imagine Vegas isn’t giving them much love either.
This poll is right in line w Vegas’ odds btw. Yankees are +175 Stros +200 and Twins are at +500 to win the AL.
No offense, I simply said the Twins are just as good as the Astros and Yankees (not by my prediction but according to a statistical method that I cited), and also that the voting here doesn’t come close to reflecting this, for reasons I pointed out. Are you really going to argue that the Yankees don’t have a lot more fans than the Twins and the size of fan base has no impact on the outcome of a completely unscientific poll? (Yes, and Vegas bookmaking, too.)
BTW, I think it would be cool for the Twins to make the series. That fan base has been denied for a long time, and it would be a little cooler yet because so many think they are a huge long shot, no matter what the stats say.
The Rays? They’re 17-19 since the beginning of June and are now just 3.5 games ahead of the Red Sox and I think it’s almost certain they get passed in the standings to land a potential WC position.
As far as the Twins not beating the Rays in a WC game, I’d definitely take the Twins there since they’re 5-2 against the Rays this year.
I’ll take Morton over Berrios in a 1 game playoff. If they get Glasnow back they’ll have Glasnow, Morton and a hopefully much improved Snell in October. That’s a better 3 than what Minn is giving you and I think it’s entirely possible they get caught by Cleveland. It could obviously go the other way also. The Twins have a solid team. I just see flaws and a lot of over performers.
Twins are pretty darn good but they’re not as good as the Yanks.
I disagree. They’re both offensive juggernauts, but the Yankees play in a much more HR friendly park than the Twins, and yet the Twins are out-homering the Yanks. In fact, the Twins surpassed the pre-ASG HR record set by last season’s NYY’s team. They both need rotation help, but I have the Yankees 3rd behind the Twins and Astros.
The games have a way of shortening in October and no one can keep up with the firepower the Yanks have in the bullpen. Green, Ottavino, Britton, Chappy and Betances is a relief corps that is second to none. I don’t like the Twins starters nearly enough to put them ahead of NY.
Yankee stadium is 29th in park factor and the Twins are 27th btw. Neither park has been favorable.
So, 2nd or 3rd., It doesn’t matter much, since I still see both behind the Astros.
I hate to bring up baseball media bias, but the Twins and the Brewers don’t seem to get the coverage or love that the major market East Coast and West Coast teams get. That could even be extended to the Braves, Cardinals, etc.
The Twins get plenty of love for what they’ve earned. The expectations a team which is currently stumbling, lacks an ace starter and has a bullpen which appears to be held to be held together with smoke and mirrors are going to be the WS favorite is unrealistic. Especially when the team has the worst record in MLB from 2011-2018 and has routinely shown a propensity to cut corners on payroll.
Agreed
The Giants are going to win it all. Farhan is going to trade for a starter. And the Giants go on a run. Finish with 86 wins and get into the second wild card. 45-29 run. Take out the Phillies in the first round on the road. Cubs in the second round. ATL. In the third round. And Yankees to win it all… In 7. 🙂
GoodNight.
Good night, and hope you wake up better.
Yeah the giants are not gonna win the World Series lmao. I wish but nah.
When does Barry Bonds son (the one who made the error in judgment as a tyke during a World Series game some decades ago) come to play and save the day?
Farhan is gonna rebuild this team. The giants can not afford to buy at the trade deadline with this farm system. I’d rather keep all the young talent than try to compete for half a year. It’s not worth it in my opinion. Which “starter” do you think he’d trade for and who do you think he’ll trade? I guess as long as they don’t trade any top 10 prospects, Avelino, Adon, Menez, Duggar, Slater, or beede it will be fine.
Actually I don’t want the giants to trade the next Castillo or Reynolds. So they should keep all of the minor leaguers period.
Avelino isn’t a prospect. Sure, some people say he is, but he’s all glove and very little bat. Dude can’t even get an .800 OPS in the PCL. They probably could bring Jalen Miller up to Sacramento tomorrow and his EL and PCL stats combined would be better that Avelino’s by the end of the year. And he’s struggle badly in Richmond.
He’s decent but in a lot of farm systems he’s a #30 prospect. I’m not a big fan of miller.
I’m in richmond and have seen a bunch of games. He can almost hit it out of the infield. go easy on him.
This comment hasn’t aged well
I picked the unorthodox and went with the Rays vs Brewers in the WS.
World Series games being played in that most hideous of domes? What an awful thought!
C-Ring this … speaker that.
Those ratings will set an all time record.
Last years World Series was supposed to break records…ended up being one of the lowest of all time.
Yea I know. The all time record ratings would be lowest ever.
Rangers.
Don’t see it, but how do the W. Sox have more votes than TX? Clearly there’s a lot of homerism in the voting.
I’m a Giant’s fan, but I am dumbfounded by SF getting more votes than the Pirates, Phillies Reds, Rockies, and D’backs. The Giants are certainly better than a lot of people predicted, they will not lose 100 games, and .500 is within reach, but NL champs? No way.
I voted for the Giants because voting for stuff like this can’t be taken seriously.
Yeah same lmao. I voted giants just for the memes
No kidding.
The Twins are a couple bullpen acquisitions away from being in the same conversation as the Astros and Yankees when it comes to pennant relevance.
Now if the FO can somehow land elite relievers like Vazquez and or Iglesias, I might even label them as the favorites.
Yeah I don’t see that at all. I don’t see them ever being the presumptive WS favorites. I don’t like the Yankees rotation but I don’t like the Twins rotation any better. I think there’s a much better shot the Yankees actually add a good SP before then as well. The Yankees pen is incomparable to the Twins even if they make several additions. All of that and I haven’t even touched on the Astros…..
They might surprise and obviously they could even make the WS but i just don’t see them ever being the favorite.
I agree. The Yankees definitely have to be favored over the Twins and the Yankees are far more likely to secure major upgrades as the Twins refuse to spend on long term assets.
There’s no way in hell I’d want to face the Astros rotation with the Twins’ offerings.
1. Verlander vs. Berrios
2. Cole vs. Odorizzi
3. Miley vs. Gibson
Only a die-hard Twins fan wouldn’t see a major advantage for Houston there.
Atlanta vs Houston this year, no doubt.
Braves…Astros
Charlie Culberson over the entire AL in 3 games
Rays-Braves and the South will rise again (until the Rays move to Montreal).
Dodgers vs. Rays
Interesting Poll. Two great teams in huge markets won. Now, let’s play!
I really hope the Astros play the Yankees in the first round. I want that 7pm time slot.
Careful what you wish for, Stros go home early.
That’s up to the players. I’m tired of the 1pm start times.
Though, i admit, AL homefield would better.
Yeah, this was a great poll in that it got me excited about the coming PS. There’s still a lot of time, and a lot of trades/injuries/vagaries to happen, but I’m looking forward to it.
Bumgarner is historically great against the Dodgers. Whichever team thinks they have a great shot this year should definitely attempt to trade for him.
I don’t hear that point often enough. Analytics don’t measure October metrics. Completely different. Kershaw is great analytically, doesn’t get it done in October.
October matters..
You’d have to believe Madison Bumgarner can recreate that success 3 seasons later when all his peripherals have been trending south.
He’s been a great postseason arm but are you going to bet your shirt on Mad-Bum’s postseasons of 3+ years? You could, I’m not going to tell you you’re an idiot if you do because it certainly could be a good gamble. But I’d prefer to get a guy whose numbers I trust more right now.
I don’t exactly distrust madbum now though. I mean he’s just over 4 era now and didn’t go over 3 for his career that long ago.
What happened 5 years ago has no bearing now. There has been so much wear on him since then. And he has been lit up by the Dodgers twice this season. Historically doesnt mean a thing
Where are the Orioles???
Eyeing up 2023!
Ny and the Buffalo Bills or I should say la
Yankees versus Dodgers ratings will go through the roof the haters will go crazy and small-market team fans will Haidet.
Ratings will go through the roof in those 2 metro areas, but not so much elsewhere. When one universally hated team is in the PS ratings go up, since people want to see the hated team lose. That enticement is lost when both teams are hated. People who hate to see either team win won’t watch. Fox will be happy initially, if that’s the match-up, but then disappointed with the final numbers.
Who could possibly hate the Dodgers?
Serious, why hate on us?
I don’t hate either team. I just don’t have any interest in either of them. If the WS is Yankees/Dodgers, I probably won’t watch. I’ll play Settlers of Catan instead.
Tribe!! The revenge of Chief Wahoo!
They are the only team in the mix that will be getting not one, not two but maybe three top of the rotation pitcher before the season ends. They find a middle of the order bT and they can be as dangerous as anyone
Pirates vs Astros. Musgrove beats Cole in game 7 by 1-0 on Colin Moran’s solo HR.
That would be something. I really like Musgrove and was sorry to see him go. Cole being a #1-B starter eased the pain somewhat.
I’d say but I don’t want to jinx my team.
Go on. Do it. I double-dog dare you!
that’s assault brotha
Rays V. Phillies, 2008 rematch. Book it.
you don’t pay attention to the east much do ya
I’d bet on the Nationals before the Phillies.
Lets do a silly one, since you’re doin a silly one of something that will never happen.
Cardinals vs Brewers
White Sox vs Astros
See I can do silly ones that will never happen again.
The Cleveland Indians go into the All * Break with a six game winning streak. They had a great June and haven’t lost in July. Their pitching has been effective despite key injuries. They have scored many runs recently. Granted, they have beat up on teams with losing records. But the Reds have one of the better ERA in baseball. Anything can happen in a short postseason series, and the Tribe looks to be in position to challenge for a playoff berth.
Astros/Padres
If the Braves land Bumgarner aka the Dodger Killer then it’s going to be the Braves.
Doesn’t matter who comes from the AL side of things. All those division leaders have inflated records in the AL because 80% of the league checked out.
It’s not really shocking that Houston, Minnesota, and NYY are a combined .500 in interleague play.
Yea because regular season matchups mean so much in the playoffs.
To defeat the Yankees in the World Series the (eventual) NL opponent just needs to trade for Charlie Morton.
Tigers vs Marlins
Astros vs Cardinals
Oakland & Philadelphia
Great minds think alike….Beane is going to make a boss move that puts A’s over Astros late in season
Braves vs houston!
Dodgers vs Astros
Padres ride the wings of Tatis past the Dodgers and Braves and into a 98 rematch with the Yankees.
Yankees and Astros are both top 10 teams for HR allowed this year. Astros have a more top heavy rotation but still a warning sign. Gives the Twins an opening. If the Dodgers get knocked out in the NLDS then Braves in the WS, otherwise probably the Dodgers.
I have Phillies making a run a WC by beating Brewers Dodgers and Braves to take NL pennant. I believe last weekend of season they sneak in unimpressively but wake up in October ans Bryce Harper shwos why he is worth 330 million.
The Astros are a damn sound team but I feel the first 20 games of 2nd half they will stumble going 9-11. The suprise team from 2018 will be 3.5 games back on Aug 1 and take division in Seattle the last series of season.
Yes the Oakland A’s will win the AL West after a trade or two finally pays off. Oakland beats Twins 3-2 in ALDS and beats NYY in 6.
A’s vs Phillies in Fall Classic. A’s clinch title in Game 5 in Oakland. Coincidentally they do this at a time when they are pushing for new stadium off waterfront. New MLB stars will be made and Beane finally gets his WS
Harper isn’t worth $330M and never will be. Only Trout is worth that.
Astros braves
Padres vs Twins.
I dropped $250.00 on it before the season.
Yeah, I know it probably won’t happen but, I dropped $100.00 on Padres vs Tigers in 84, so it can happen.