MLB analysts Nolan Peterson and Chandler Yu lay out and predict results of the Division Series.
Nolan Peterson & Chandler Yu | Staff Reporters
Hover over the blue dots to hear our predictions for the MLB Division Series.
Prediction: Mets win series 3-1.
Reason: The Mets’ starting pitching will shut down the NL West division winners and their inconsistent lineup.
In a league where pitching is the key to in winning the playoff games, the Mets’ starting rotation is second to none. They are led by NL Comeback Player of the Year candidate Matt Harvey, Jacob DeGrom, last year’s Rookie of the Year, and stud rookies Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard, both of whom have been incredibly successful this year.
The Mets also have the ability to put up lots of runs. Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets’ new centerfielder, has been ripping the cover off the ball recently and David Wright, the Mets’ third baseman, has always been a consistent hitter who has been on the All-Star team seven times.
Although the Dodgers have two superstar pitchers in the form of Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, the offensive deficiencies will lead to the Dodgers’ elimination. Although the infield’s offense has been decent with Adrian Gonzalez leading the charge, the outfield has been completely underwhelming with the fading Carl Crawford in left, the streaky Joc Pederson in center, and the aging Andre Ethier manning right. Multiple holes in the Dodgers’ lineup along with superior pitching from the Mets will lead the rich Dodgers’ run in the playoffs to end in the NLDS.
NLDS Series #2: Cardinals vs. Cubs:
Prediction: Cardinals win series 3-2.
Reason: The Cardinals’ pitching will slow down the Cubs’ potent offense and win the series in 5 games.
The Cardinals had the best regular season record this year at 100-62, and a major reason why is their starting pitching. Although the pitching took a hit earlier this year when the Cardinals lost their ace and innings-eater Adam Wainwright to an Achilles injury, Michael Wacha has picked up the slack with a stellar 3.08 ERA. The Redbirds also have two adequate veteran pitchers in the form of Lance Lynn and John Lackey who should use their experience to continue their regular season success into the NLDS.
Offensively, the Cardinals are rock solid. The outfield and infield are mixed with rising stars as well as proven veterans. This mix of energy and experience gives the Cardinals a reliable source of runs. Keep an eye out for the second baseman Kolten Wong as well as centerfielder Jon Jay who might have a surprisingly huge impact in this series.
Even though the Cubs made the postseason for the first time since 2008, their run will end in the divisional series. Offensively, the Cubs should make the series interesting with power bats such as Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, but the dominant Cardinal pitching will start to shut down the offense towards the end of the series. Pitching wise, the Cubs have stars Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester as a 1-2 punch but after that, the starting pitching is extremely vulnerable. This will allow the Cardinals to score runs and ultimately end the Cubs’ season.
ALDS Series #1: Rangers vs. Blue Jays
Prediction: Blue Jays win series 3-1.
Reason: The historically good Blue Jays offense roll past a Rangers team that lacks pitching depth.
It came down to the wire, but the Texas Rangers were able to hold on to win the AL West after a nearly-catastrophic implosion. After exhausting Cole Hamels as well as much of the bullpen in the final weekend, the Rangers will be forced to pitch short-handed to start the series. Don’t get me wrong, Yovani Gallardo has had plenty of good seasons in Milwaukee as a premier starter, but he should not be a go-to pitcher for a Game 1 of a playoff series. The Rangers will need to have offensive powers such as Adrian Beltre, Prince Fielder, and Josh Hamilton step up if they want any chance to advance.
The Blue Jays on the other hand will have a rested rotation with Cy Young winners David Price and R.A. Dickey leading the charge. Price has been spectacular since crossing the border in a blockbuster trade with Detroit in July, holding a 2.34 ERA with a 17-5 record. However, Toronto’s pitching staff takes a backseat to what some baseball analysts say is one of the best offense’s of all time. Eight players on the team have hit double-digit homers on the year, while Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion have all hit over 35. The Rangers may steal one game in Dallas if Cole Hamels has a good day, but the Blue Jays’ bats are just too much to handle.
ALDS Series #2: Astros vs. Royals
Prediction: Astros win series 3-2
Reason: The Houston Astros shock the baseball world and take the series from the defending AL champion Royals thanks to complacency and injuries in Kansas City.
Oh, what a magical thing the Wild Card Game can be. Just ask both the Giants and the Royals last year, who each won their respective wild cards and ended up making it to the Fall Classic. While the wild card game may be scary heading into, if you win, you have the same advantage as everyone else again. Dallas Keuchel’s masterful performance sets the table for 19-game winner Colin McHugh and three-time All-Star Scott Kazmir to back up his performance. The pitching is just the start of the Astros recent surge, however. The AL wild card showed a resurgence of big bats the ‘Stros may need to take one from Kansas City. Both Carlos Gomez and Colby Rasmus homered against Tanaka, which is a sign the the offense may be back.
The Kansas City Royals, on the other hand, have a lot of questions heading into a postseason in which they are favorited back to the World Series. Hot-tempered Yordano Ventura takes the bump for Game 1 after trade acquisition Johnny Cueto refused to pitch the start of the series. If that’s not enough to press the panic button, outfielder and key member Alex Gordon may not play as well as he did last year thanks to a hamstring issue in August. If he’s not fully healed, expect this series to get out of hand.
