Both the playoff field and the first-round matchups now have been set, so we can get on with deciding who’s going to be holding the Commissioner’s Trophy by the end of the World Series. After 162 games (well, give or take a Marlins/Mets game that will now be scrapped entirely), the list of contenders has been narrowed to a dozen teams.
The Braves led all of baseball with 104 wins, and their spectacular lineup tied a Major League record with 307 home runs. Leading the league almost across the board in significant offensive categories this season, Atlanta boasts MVP favorite Ronald Acuna Jr. as their top player, yet the incredible depth of the everyday lineup is a nightmare for opposing pitchers. Injuries to Max Fried and Charlie Morton have left some questions about the readiness of the staff heading into the playoffs, but if Atlanta’s games start turning into slugfests, the Braves are more than well-equipped for that type of baseball.
Despite a huge swath of injuries to their pitching staff, the Dodgers still finished 100-62 and won the NL West. It was the fifth time in the last six 162-game seasons that L.A. hit the 100-win threshold, and the Dodgers have now won 10 of the last 11 division titles. All of that success, of course, has netted “only” one World Series title (in 2020) to date, and it will be up to Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman to keep carrying the offense while the somewhat makeshift pitching staff will try to produce quality innings.
The Orioles went from 110 losses in 2021 to 101 wins this season, winning the AL East for the first time since 2014. Baltimore’s extensive rebuild led to a new wave of young talent (i.e. Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez) providing a quick impact, while roster holdovers and unexpected hidden gems like Ryan O’Hearn all kept producing for a well-rounded team. The rotation is either a question mark or perhaps just underrated heading into October, and the O’s want to leave no doubt that their team is for real.
The Astros went into the final series of the season not even knowing if they’d be in the playoffs at all, yet Houston ended up with a first-round bye and their sixth AL West crown in seven seasons. The defending World Series champs have weathered a lot of pitching injuries and a bit more inconsistency than usual from their lineup, yet if any team knows how to turn up the volume in the postseason, it’s the Astros.
These four teams will get first-round byes, while the other two division champions and the six wild-card teams will have to survive the best-of-three first round. The AL Central champion Twins and the sixth-seeded Blue Jays will meet in the postseason for the first time since 1991, with Toronto trying to win its first playoff game since 2016 and Minnesota trying to end an unfathomable 0-18 record in playoff games dating back to 2004. Both the Twins and Jays have relied on recipes of strong starting pitching, solid bullpen work and (especially in Toronto’s case) excellent defense, while the offense has been much more hit-and-miss for each club. A low-scoring series wouldn’t be a surprise, making things a tossup even though the Twins have the home-field advantage.
The Rays and Rangers spent a good chunk of the season looking like they’d sail to division titles, yet the two clubs will now meet in the Wild Card Series. Tampa Bay’s ever-deep farm system just kept churning out MLB-ready talent, allowing the Rays to stay steady and win 99 games despite an injury-depleted pitching staff. Texas had greater issues managing pitching injuries and a very leaky bullpen, and though the Rangers still ended up with 90 wins and a playoff berth, the Rangers’ relief corps stands out as perhaps the biggest weak link of any postseason team.
The Brewers went 92-70 to book their fifth trip to the playoffs in six seasons, with three of those trips coming via the NL Central title. With a 35-20 record since August 1, Milwaukee has been somewhat quietly marching towards the playoffs in top form, even if scoring runs is still at something of a premium for a team powered by its hurlers. The Diamondbacks have just about the opposite problem, as they’ll head into the playoffs with a -15 run differential and a season-long problem with rotation depth. But, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly can be a problem in a short series, and NL Rookie of the Year favorite Corbin Carroll will get his first taste of the postseason spotlight.
The Phillies and Marlins meet in an all-NL East edition of the Wild Card Series, with Miami holding a 7-6 head-to-head edge in regular-season play. After falling short in last year’s World Series, the Phillies are looking to make another run through the entire bracket, setting up the dynamic of a seasoned, veteran squad against an upstart Marlins club who are in the playoffs following a full 162-game season for the first time since 2003. A huge 33-13 record in one-run games helped Miami reach the postseason despite a -56 run differential — by contrast, Philadelphia was +81.
Looking at the list of twelve, who is your pick to win it all? (poll link for app users)
Braves over Orioles
Orioles are gonna win it all.
Nervous about the Orioles bullpen if I’m being honest. The key factor will be how the starting rotation depth translates into bullpen relief. I worry about who gets the high leverage outs after Cano, who is no Bautista. Ready for October baseball in Baltimore!
@2012orioles – I’ll lend you my stress ball.
Nervous about that bullpen? Try cheering for one with 33 blown saves and 30 saves!
What’s crazy about this is there was then only 63 games in which a save was possible ofc there are losses but that’s 99 non save games
Another thing to consider is that there may have been multiple blown saves in the same game.
I am surprised to see the O’s as the 2nd favorite.
Gigantic O’s fan and I certainly hope so but I think the Bautista injury could be the difference. We play very tight ball games and losing your horse hurts.
Hope I’m wrong.
I got the STL Browns winning the whole thing… but I’m like 100 years old?
Before they were the St. Louis Browns they were the Milwaukee Brewers for 1 season in 1901….I’m saying the newest version will bring back a little hardware to be shared equally between their 3 home cities
Astros fan here and the Orioles seemed to be a notch above when we played in Sept. I think the O’s are gonna win it all.
If I bet, I would bet Milwaukee. Great pitching and with Atlanta and LAD having pitching issues lately, they have a manageable path to the WS.
That’s one gutsy wager, my friend!
@BlueSkies, so was the Phillies last year
And you would have lost it
Yes, they lost but got very far. Every team in the NL was unexpected, the AL was the best two teams standing.
Atlanta is the best team but there are plenty of good teams.
Two to one on Atlanta.
Five to one on the Orioles.
Give me ten to one odds and I would be happy to put a dollar on the Asterisks.
At a dozen to one, the Rays or Dodgers would be nice.
20 to one on the Brewers
50 to one in the Rangers and Snakes.
I would need maybe 100 to one for the Marlins or Twins.
According to the book makers, the top four favorites in order are the Braves, Dodgers, Astros, Orioles.
BlueSkies
I will be rooting for the Dodgers, but with a rotation of Kershaw, Miller and Pepiot, I have to wonder if the proximity and size of LA to Vegas impacts the professional oddsmakers.
Imagine that… all teams coming from heavily democratic cities. MLB is no different than NFL and the WWE
The script is written on the wall
huh?
What? Name a major league team whose city is not largely liberal leaning? even one like arlington is 49% liberal and 49% republican.
get your politics out of baseball. in fact take it out of your life and you will be much better off.
🙁 Some people are just so ridiculously obsessed with their politics they have to find ways to bring it into every freaking conversation.
I’m not a gambler at all myself, but I believe the bookmakers base their odds on the actual money being wagered.
Sarcasm I hope
Every city is Democratic. Period.
That’s what a republican would say ! Lol
That’s nice but I’m unaffiliated. Just an observation. I can’t think of one city not liberal. It’s the surrounding areas that happen to be conservative, but major cities tend to be liberal.
So the jays are?
If the bats get hot—for sure. That lineup is definitely not scaring anyone but if they can manufacture some timely runs, run into a few homers, they got the pitching for it
If Milwaukee wins a series it willl be on the backs of Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta and Williams. They have an inferior lineup to very playoff team other than the Marlins and even that is close.
The Brewers offense has never hit in the playoffs during this run. Do you really think that offense can keep up with the Dodgers in a series let alone the Braves
Can’t hit
The Braves are the best team
So, I’ll pick them
The only have like a one in four chance if winning, though.
Mets
I’m going long shot and saying the staff and young outfield make Stearns regret leaving before it was done.
Padres fans want to know why there isn’t an “other” choice.
The Mariners fans still think they have a chance!
There are a couple of Padres fans who keep saying that based on run differential the Friars were unlucky not to get the last wild card spot.
And the Dodgers were lucky to win 100 games or a WS every season for past five years
I am picking the O’s.
Atlanta
I got the Phillies all the way. They have the rotation, the bullpen, and the lineup. They have Bryce. They have last year’s experience to draw on. They will be unfazed. And I’m an American League guy. But since the Mariners have been ousted I don’t think any of the American League teams left are worth a damn. I’ve seen them all play and there’s massive holes and problematic question marks in abundance with all of them. Phillies Phillies Phillies. Where do I put my money?
You certainly have the right username.
Might as well throw your money in the nearest trash can if the Phils are your pick.
That’s cool you disagree , but why don’t you think so?
I, personally, enjoy Shiny Beast/Bat Chain Puller more than I do Trout Mask Replica. You might be right about the Phillies, though; how ’bout a rematch of 2022?
I’ll check that one out…still trying to immerse myself in Trout Mask, it’s not an easy go, but it’s starting to come together. Listening to some Zappa helped.
Shiny Beast and Doc at the Radar Station are more easily approachable than Trout Mask, but still BRILLIANT. Don’t know if it’ll take this link, but, check this out youtube.com/watch?v=QQEmdAiEnQc
Well after being up close and personal with the Astros this past month due to the battling with my Mariners, I keep thinking this isn’t the same Astros team that dominated in ’22. However they are enough of that same team to take it as far as they want to this postseason, all the way to the Series. So why not? Another rematch. Seriously though the American League teams have holes like Mac Trucks yet the Astros probably have the easiest ones to manage plus you have the experience factor. The August version of the Mariners could have ran it all the way to the end but alas that’s not our reality anymore. So I’m totally cool with Astros running it back. Thnx for being a cool Astros fan. I have ran into my share of not-so-nice ones lately lol.
I agree about the AL teams having glaring holes; I don’t think there’s an AL team as well-rounded as the Braves and Dodgers. I could easily see Philly winning it, too–this is baseball after all, and the playoffs are a crapshoot. Wheeler and Nola can match up with anyone in any given game. They have the offense to compete with anyone, as well.
Brewers and counsell retires after.
And becomes the new manager of the New York Mets
Orioles
It’s hard to pick against the Braves. I would love to see the O’s in the World Series.
Astros fan here and when we played the O’s in Sept they seemed to be a notch above. I think they’ll win it all.
Wildcard Marlins… just like in ’97 and 2003.
2020 they lost, but that was 2020.
Those are the only 3 years they’ve made the playoffs.
Interesting how little love the Rangers and Rays are getting in this poll.
Rangers have limped to the finish line. Agree the Rays will play teams tough but Atlanta has rolled through everything this year.
True but you’d think a team that scored more runs than all but two other teams would rate above the Twins or Brewers.
hot, playoff-ready pitching can shut out a hot lineup, so a hitting-dependent team like the rangers can get snuffed out just as easily as they can steamroll to wins
Sounds like your argument cancels itself out.
Blue Skies
If the Rays had earned a bye, I would have liked them.
I still like the Rays, they are my pick to win it all. With all their injuries and the Wander distraction they still won 99 games. This feels like a focused team to me, out to send a message. Houston hasn’t really been Houston all year, Baltimore’s and Texas’ bullpens are straight garbage. You never know what Minnesota or Toronto will give ya on a given night. This is the Rays best chance to get to the World Series since they last went. I got the Rays beating the Braves in 7 games because pitching will outshine hitting when it’s on.
We’ll see again this year how much advantage (if any) that bye buys. Teams that get one have to figure out how to keep their edge for a week off. I know the Dodgers are trying something different this year. Their workouts will include a scrimmage game on Wednesday, with fans invited.
For those not paying attention, the Twins have actually had one of the best offenses in baseball in the second half.
Yes but the question is who will WIN the World Series. Twins could get to the ALCS, Ill warrant you.
Twins have a history of choking
So do the Braves
I say Rays or Orioles
Braves are by far the most talented team in the playoffs. But anything can happen so lets get it started!
I picked the Astros, not because I like them or want them to win but they seem to be the best team when the playoffs come around of late.
Theyre a bit bandaged together this year.
Braves in 5. Doesn’t matter who they play.
Anyone but Atlanta.
You’ll probably be disappointed then
Na. Probably not.
The poll speaks for itself
You’re aware that the “poll” has exactly zero influence in the outcome of a single game in the post season, yeah?
I’m going to use last year’s formula to make my prediction on the final and winner.
Texas 2-0 TB Rays
Minnesota 2-0 Toronto
Baltimore 3-0 Texas
Houston 3-2 Minnesota
Baltimore 4-0 Houston
—————————-
Philadelphia 0 – 2 Miami
Milwaukee 0 – 2 Arizona
Atlanta 1-3 Miami
LA Dodgers 1 – 3 Arizona
Arizona 4 – 1 Miami
Baltimore 4 – 2 Arizona in the final.
Baltimore, time to book that WS parade!
Stay off the drugs man
@Milwaukee-2208
I’m not on any. I just said that I’m using last year’s situation.
> I’m going to use last year’s formula
What is “last year’s formula”?
E=MC^2
The formula MLB uses to determine the winner each year.
Source? Please post a link to this information.
alberteinstein.com
Jays are playing well at a good time.
@30 Parks
Never know. They haven’t been playing their best ball as of late but look at the Phillies last year. Same 4-6 record in the last 10 games and they went on to lose in the WS.
ESPN is picking the Yankees over the Red Sox.
If the brewers can consistently hit then they have a terrific shot.
Dodgers and braves staffs are seriously vulnerable with all the injuries. We shall see.
Astros.
Let’s hope Diaz gets to play though. He only had 50 ABs but a .960 OBP in Sept.
A .960 OBP (on base percentage)?!? I think you meant OPS (on base plus slugging)
Marlins
The Braves have got to be the favorites, so it’s gonna be Orioles vs Phillies in an 1983 rematch!
The best team never wins outside of the 2020 Dodgers in the past say 10 years, can make an arguement for the 2022 Astros as well. I don’t see the Braves winning it all, their starting pitching just isn’t good enough. My out of the blue team is the Bluejays, I think they are just flat out a very well constructed team. The Orioles starting pitching is not playoff calibur and they don’t have their lights out closer anymore, they are not winning anything. Dodger’s pitching staff looks depleted but they know how to win despite of that. Tough to say who is going to come out of the NL but I’m going with the Dodgers. Bluejays beat Dodgers in 6 in the World Series, the cold weather is going to be tough on the Dodgers. Thats my prediction
Talking about the Braves starting pitching, then you mention the Dodgers who are equally (if not more) decimated. LOL
@Neon Cop I got more faith in the Dodgers because the Braves are too reliant on their offence to win games. Once playoffs come, pitching is key to winning. The Dodgers are way more consitent in those type of scenarios
Braves were third in MLB in strikeouts
With a bunch of rookies who’ve never been in the playoffs?
The cold weather that happens… in a dome? If it’s that cold, the Blue Jays would just close the roof.
The cold lol
I’m going with Orioles. I don’t know if they will, but would love to see that
Astros of course
DIAMONDBACKS!!
The AAA Rays!!!
Not the Yankees. And, in the end, that’s all that matters.
Not enough votes for the Rays.
Honestly I voted Orioles but forgot about the Rays.
Whoever gets hot for 2 weeks.
Forget everything you accomplished for six months, it’s all garbage now.
4.77% of voters thus far voted for the Twins after taking a hit from their rock pipe
They have a long dark winter ahead. Let them delude themselves while they still can.
Braves rotation is just too good. Orioles won’t beat them
What rotation? Strider and Fried could be good, but Strider has thrown a ridiculous number of pitches. I think they have to average 8 runs per game to beat the Phillies and Dodgers. Their starting pitching is very thin.
They will need offense never seen in the playoffs to get out of the NL. May happen.
But look at the last two weeks. Gave up huge run totals against weak offenses and it wasn’t all their scrub starters.
Go back to 2021 playoff run for ATL and see if you recognize some of the ATL SPs. They were thin too, starting rookie Bryse Wilson among others. 8-9 runs sounds like a tall task for almost any other team. ATL/BAL were best road teams…no coincidence they were also the best teams.
There’s one number you need to consider. 3100.
That’s Strider’s seasonal pitch count. If they make the WS, figure 4 additional 100 pitch outings. That’s 3500.
24 years’ old with one season of 2300 pitches. 50% higher to get through the WS.
They spent the whole season trying out 4/5 starters. And drew blanks. I’d readily bet against his effectiveness.
You mean after they won their division. Pretty much have everything locked up and they went into sleep mode? That is the indicator? Fried was top two in the cy race last year. He will be at full strength since he has had so much time off. He is dealing with a blister that they have 6 years of experience caring for with him. I think they will take care of it. Strider who had an injury last year is foaming at the mouth for a playoff start. He will also be well rested for his next start. You can say maybe rust will be a factor for Fried. That could be a problem, yes. The 3rd starter will be a combo of Elder, AJSS, and Wright. I like the Braves chances on all three games, even if the offense only scores 4/5. The Braves will cruise in the 1st series and beyond.
Phillies. It will definitely be a WC team.
Is Texas or Tampa the biggest second half disappointment in MLB for blowing the division title and missing the ALDS if they lose in the upcoming matchup?
Texas lost 94 games last year. I know it’s a bummer to lose the division but man it’s hard to be unhappy with that turn around. This is actually exactly where I thought we would be at the start of the year.
But, after being 6.5 games up late in the season, wasn’t the division an expectation? I had them at > 85 and hopefully a WC team as an expectation, but Texas has been tempting fans all year long. 40-20 to start and then even going 51-51 would have been enough. Even Fangraphs (very down on them and expecting Texas at 4th) had their odds of winning the division at 91% going into Seattle. 4 games vs Seattle and 3 Houston games vs Arizona and just 1 goes their way… that’s bringing false hopes
Fangraphs is fun but numbers don’t play the games. I am a statistics guys so I love that stuff, but predicting the future is mostly handwaving. The Rangers have been inconsistent on offense for awhile, mostly due to injuries and some guys just aren’t back yet (Josh Jung in particular). Throw in the pitching injuries and the bullpen general uselessness and yeah, I am just happy to be in the playoffs.
You’re calling the Rays a disappointment for winning 99 games with so many injuries they’re practically running their AA team out there? One win short of the franchise record, so disappointing.
I meant for losing the division.
The Rays didn’t lose the division, the Orioles won it.
It’s definitely not Tampa Bay. We had so many vital players go down with injuries. It’s a miracle we’re still in it.
I’m going with the Phillies just because last year they punched all the teams that should have been better, in the face. Brewers can do it, they just the bats to get a spark, they’re built for run prevention. Those are my two choices, the NL is winning the World Series this year.
Let’s go Os!!!!
Brewers all the way for the first time baby!
Bryce Harper cracks his knuckles, wipes the sweat off his brow and accepts the World Series trophy and hands it to Middleton saying, “We did it”
Middleton puts his arm around Harper as Dombrowski enters the embrace and says, “We ALL did it….”
Fade to black……and emerge in the clubhouse as Stubbs w/ more followers jumps up and down all wearing those odd Philllies blue overalls….spewing champagne all over the place….fade to black quickly and then show Tug McGraw with arms raised……then Brad Lidge screaming….then Orion Kerkerling looking straight up and pointing.
I’m a Braves fan, but the Brewers are set up to make a run. Can get hot against a bad Marlins team, carry that into a subpar Dodgers lineup…their top 3 pitchers are nasty. If they end up in an nlcs anything can happen. Right now I’ll take the Blue Jays over the Brewers.
What are you smoking? Blue Jays and Brewers? It’s usually the hottest teams that win and right now it’s the Astros, Dodgers and Braves(albiet cooling off a bit and hit by the Fried and Morton injuries).. I haven’t seen the Rays or Orioles so idk but. It’s gonna be the hottest, clutch hitting team that wins
The subpar Dodger lineup that was the first Dodger team to score 900+ runs since 1953?
As an O’s fan I’m obviously biased and think we can take most of the other teams on this list to varying degrees of difficulty, but even I gotta admit that Braves team is a beast. Absolutely scary offense they have.
You do know 2 of their core pitchers, Morton and Fried are on the IL right?
Fried’s back for the DS. No problem for him. Just shut down for 2 weeks because of a minor blister issue. Morton’s sprained knuckle seems to be more of an issue. Can’t even come back until the NLCS—-if they get there.
Oh for sure, Fried is on his way back however. Keeping their lineup down is the real task and its one that I’m not sure many teams are capable of doing across an entire series. You never know though, some players become completely different in the postseason.
From a blister which is mildly concerning if they didn’t have 6 years of managing this for him. Morton will be there for the next series (probably). Morton got 3 outs with a broken leg in the 21 post season. Got hit again in the 22 post season and kept going. This possibility being his final year, if the Braves get to the next round he will be starting game 3. Elder, Wright and AJSS will cover game 3 in the 1st series. The pen may have holes if any starter doesn’t last through 5/6 (odds of strider and Freud getting through 6 are strong) but that is for almost every team.
Dodgers are 15-0 whenever I sit field level and heckle and tip opponents pitches. I will be there this year and hopefully get a win!
’83 rematch, with the O’s taking this one, too.
The hottest teams usually win, that said, Astros are doing what they do. Braves have Fried and Morton injuries which are huge because they shut down the Dodgers this year. If the Dodgers get through the Braves, I got Dodgers Astros in another slug fest.
On paper the Braves are a wagon this year. It would be nice to see the Orioles get their first since 83 when the old AL East started a World Series run. Yankees 81, Brewers in 82, Orioles 83, Tigers 84, Red Sox in 86 and Blue Jays 87. .
Let’s hope it is NOT one the teams 19 games back. Shameful.
Seeing that anything can happen once in the playoffs, it’s impossible to know who wins what, but I’d be surprised if the Brewers don’t make a long run, with great pitching and just enough offense they could be are hard team to beat.
The thing is the Astros BELIEVE they’re going to win it.
Could this be the year of the statistical outlier? If it is the one where video game offence beats pitching, then it will be the Braves.
The Marlins went 33-13 in 1 run games. Won 72%. If in the Wildcard Series, the MArlins were to do a very Marlins lose one game 16-1 and win the other 2, say, 4-3 & 3-2, then whoknows what could happen?
Fox is sweating bullets over a possible Marlins-Rays match-up. That would be the lowest rated series of all-time.
Both would be blacked out since I live in Florida. Screw blackout policies. I’ll probably have to find some stream somewhere…
Dodgers over the Rangers in 6
I really feel like the Orioles are a team of destiny. The starting pitching is much more solid than CW thinks it is. The bullpen can be shortened during the playoffs. I’m think a ’66 rematch.
Dbacks 1/2 punch if Gallen and Kelly is not to be slept on I will say.
Off topic but who ended up in last place in the AL East??
Red Sox finished last.
Play 162 games, here have a seat for 5 days whilst other teams play, then play one game and have another seat for a day. Then play one more and go to the opposing team’s ballpark.
This whole play-off system and extra wildcards is a joke.
It doesn’t help any hitter to sit around for 5 days, and it doesn’t help a team’s momentum at all. However, it’s all about the money for this ‘business’.
Yeah, I’d prefer the divisionals to start the day after a wild card series ends. That would give the top seeds just enough rest but not too much, and the wild card winner no rest. The current format gives the advantage to the wild card winner. Also, there shouldn’t be any days off except for travel days in the divisional and leagues and world series.
Organize an intrasquad game, or find a college team to play.
smuzqwpdmx
It’s not the same thing.
It’s not too different from the kind of games teams play after they’ve clinched and are just trying not to get anyone hurt. Which may be why teams that have to battle it out to the last day and never take their foot off the gas pedal do better than expected.
It is enough to keep a hitter’s timing, though. No excuse for a hitter simply not bothering to see any live pitching for a week.
> It doesn’t help any hitter to sit
> around for 5 days,
If referring to the Braves they are playing split-squad games Tues and Thurs this week
I mean, listen, we’re talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, we talking about practice. Not a game. Not, not … Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it’s my last. Not the game, but we’re talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that? … And we talking about practice….
Hemlock
“Split squad” games are not ‘real’ games. You can play intra squad, hit off a tee, do live bp with a pitcher off the mound, do ordinary bp, none of those things match proper games. Meanwhile, wildcard teams get to play, some of them get a 3 game set at home, and then they get momentum moving into the next round. Meanwhile, the Braves are doing other things. It’s not a ‘good’ or fair system.
Crime Dog,
I think they’ll be okay. Philly gives the Braves fits. They just don’t match up well. I’d much rather play Miami and the Dodgers than Philly and the Brewers or Dbags I mean Dbacks.
Someone should interview the players and see if they like the week off or not. The answer may surprise you.
Go Os!!
$20 on the Orioles at +3500 and Rangers at +5000 at beginning of the season. Still alive.
Orioles were loaded with youngsters and had good pitching. Figured I’d take a flyer on them and the Rangers for one reason: Bruce Bochy.
Next season it’s the Reds.
Can you cash in those Futures now in case those teams don’t win the World Series?
No. Made them at the Superbook/Grand Sierra in Reno.
The DBacks I believe will make a lot of noise not too many are expecting. Should be fun
The Rays and their five fans will be happy at the end of this process.
How original! I’m sure all 13 billion yankee fans are ecstatic about 2 games over .500
Rangers over the Phillies in 6
My 2 favorite teams!
Actually I think Tampa is going to win it. Injuries and Wander still didn’t keep the team from winning 99 games. Baltimore and Texas bullpens are trash and in the postseason that’s where the games usually are won or lost. Minnesota is the most inconsistent team that made the AL playoffs in my opinion. The Blue Jays just can’t hit good pitching and their pitching doesn’t match Tampa’s. That leaves me with Houston, they are to me the biggest threats to Tampa on the American League side because of their experience. I think the Rays are the most well rounded team in the American League and they have the best pitching especially bullpen pitching.
On the NL side the Dodgers and Braves are destined to clash. They will meet in the NLCS and I think it goes 7 with Atlanta winning. I don’t even need to go through how we get there, Dodgers and Braves are the clear class of the NL.
So I got the World Series as Atlanta vs Tampa, this was my pick in the beginning of the year too. I am picking the Rays to win in 7 games. I will almost always take pitching over hitting in the postseason but that’s especially true for the World Series. This is where Max Fried and Charlie Morton being hurt will bite Atlanta in the ass.
Texas has a trashy bullpen. Baltimore has an elite bullpen. Look at how they greatly outperformed relative to runs scored and allowed. They have always had an elite bullpen, eith offense lagging behind, and starting pitching holding them back. Bautista isn’t their only reliever jsyk. Texas would love to trade bullpens, and most other teams would, too.
I’m a Red Sox fan, when Baltimore played us it was an offensive show down. I watched a 12-11 ball game between the two teams, Baltimore get 24 hits and lose still. I mean who seen a 9 inning game where the teams combined for like 39 hits, and have it come down to the 9th. It was pure insanity and that’s just how games went when they went toe to toe. I think Baltimore gets bad offenses out, but you aren’t facing bad offenses in the playoffs.
I know there are teams who’ve won more games but this Braves team is easily one of the best I’ve ever seen.
It’s hard to see it happening based on the way they played lately. They haven’t exactly been lights out and the starting pitching is near the bottom of MLB for the last month. Hopefully I’m wrong.
Orioles win WS. Bradish, Grayson, and Means will match up with anyones best 3 starters. The Orioles defense, and dynamic lineup can catch and hit like few others, and the bull pen is loaded with Statcast monsters to matchup.
Mostly though, Orioles don’t back down, are in every single game for every inning like no other team in the Post. The teams “make up” is the most over looked, and powerful asset. Oh…and best road record also. Some cold veined rookies in Baltimore.
Sum1s been in the orange kool-aid ! Alota young guys w/no playoff experience, I like Os but afraid there gonna run outa gas n pitching will fail em.
As someone who worked in the Astros FO with the guys in Baltimore now, I love the O’s. But the amount of people thinking they can win the WS with no pitching staff whatsoever is comical. They will win plenty of WS with this group in my mind, but this year definitely won’t be one of them.
Comical-er is too think the Orioles don’t have SP. Best team in the AL did it w/o SP??!! 162 games, beat every team in the league…w/o SP??
Either A). They do have SP.
B). They don’t have SP…and have found a way to win 101 games w/o SP. (and everyone will soon copy this mysterious technique of winning 101 w/o SP.)
…so which is it. False narrative, or genius new strategy?
Braves over Astros
Braves – They’re just on another level of good.
On a happy note, it’s going to be a very enjoyable postseason without the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets. E!SPN and FOX Sports may not know any of the teams, and may pretend that the MLB season has ended, but that makes it even better.
Remember everyone…the drinking game this postseason is simple. Since the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets are not in the postseason, E!SPN and FOX Sports will be getting a lot information wrong about many of these Playoff teams because they don’t know them well. So, for every mistake about these teams they make during coverage, take a drink. However, take little sips or you’ll pass out or die of alcohol poisoning by the third inning.
Imagine worrying about other teams that aren’t in the playoffs when your team got the 2nd wild card spot. Congratulations.
Chop on!!!!!!! Braves Country
Not the Yankees LOL !!!!!!
As an Os fan, I think they’re a season away. Young guys gotta get that experience under their belt. I could be wrong, but I’m not sure anyone on the roster has post season experience outside of McCann…and even that is minimal. My heart will be with the Os, and my money on ATL or Philly
Jays-Braves WS.
Me being a part of the 1% of people who chose D-Backs:
Phillies for no real reason than I feel them clicking.
There should not be a comma after “but.”
Dodgers over Astros.
Astros over Phillies.
It should be the Braves. If Fried returns as expected in the NLDS and Morton is ready for the NLCS, it shouldn’t be a question with that overwhelming offense.
Barring any setbacks from Lady Unlucky, it would be one of the bigger disappointments in recent memory if they didn’t at least make the World Series.
Sadly I think this is the Dodgers year. Dodgers over Astros. Redemption win I guess.
I picked the Orioles for rooting interest.
One team stands out from the group of very good teams, and that is the Braves, with a truly dominating team. But in baseball the best teams on paper don’t always win.
The # of off days in the postseason favors the Orioles (and teams like them). Their rotation suddenly isn’t a weak spot when you consider that Bradish and G Rodriguez were among the AL’s best pitchers in the 2nd half of the season, Means is back and although he never overpowers he gets outs and if he continues to pitch 6+ innings of sub 3 ERA ball that’s plenty…and even Kremer who I’d seen as a below average pitcher in his last 10 starts has pitched to a 2.89 ERA and held opponents to a .226 batting average. That’s four good to very good pitchers and you don’t need a 5th….no Gibson, no Irvin, certainly no Flaherty….and you hand off to one of the game’s top bullpens even with the Bautista injury who will also be getting more rest than usual. Their rotation has been congealing at the right time.
Well, the Marlins had a good season to build upon. At least a lot of their players got very much needed postseason experience for the first time.
Congrats Phillies!
And darn it…if the Rays didn’t lose, I would have been good through the WC round in the Postseason Challenge.