The regular season is over and the best twelve teams are on to the postseason, including the New York Yankees, who also won their 10,000th game this season. The mighty Cubs have finally clinched a playoff berth, thanks in large part to powerful first-baseman Anthony Rizzo, NL Cy Young Award candidate Jake Arrieta, and the youngster most deserving Rookie of the Year Award, Kris Bryant. We also witnessed an improbable comeback: The Texas Rangers, who entered the year as one of the teams least likely to even have a winning season (they ended 2014 last in AL West). They also had to deal with a season-ending injury to ace Yu Darvish (2.84 ERA in 2014). But a healthy Prince Fielder (2015 All-Star) and a motivated Adrian Beltre (18 HR in 143 games) sure gave the Rangers’ odds a boost and drove them into playoffs.
In this article, we will make our 2015 MLB postseason predictions.
AL Wild Card Game: Houston Astros at New York Yankees.
The Astros sure are quite shaky away from Houston; their road record was below .500 (33-48). This clearly has the Yankees fascinated, but keep in mind the pitching duel: Cy Young candidate Dallas Keuchel vs. Masahiro Tanaka. Keuchel dominated the Yankees this season, having pitched 16 scoreless innings against them. In the other corner, there’s Tanaka, who had a very poor start against the Astros this year. He allowed six runs on seven hits in seven innings pitched. He surrendered three home runs that game.
Winner: Houston Astros.
NL Wild Card Game: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates.
This game arguably features the best pitching matchup: Gerrit Cole vs. Cy Young candidate Jake Arrieta. Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro each had six hits against Cole in his four starts against the Cubs this season, although he didn’t allow more than three runs per game. Arrieta had five starts against the Pirates and, simply put, he annihilated them. He did that to every other team he faced as well, so Pirates fans shouldn’t feel too bad about it. He only allowed four runs to the Pirates. They will need a miracle if they plan to beat Arrieta and the Cubbies.
Winner: Chicago Cubs
ALDS ONE: Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros
I must say, it’s really difficult to pick a winner. But, looking at the stats, Yordano Ventura, who would be the starter of game one, has completely shut down the Astros’ power this year. Combined, the Astros’ lineup only managed a .222 average against him, with zero long bombs. Game one of the ALDS will define this series.
Winner: Kansas City Royals
ALDS TWO: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers.
Toronto has David Price and Josh Donaldson, Texas has Cole Hamels and Prince Fielder. Toronto clearly out-duels the Rangers by far. They will sweep the Rangers, simply as that.
Winner: Toronto Blue Jays
NLDS ONE: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs.
With Carlos Martinez out, St. Louis’ pitching staff looks fragile. I am a true believer in the idea of momentum, which the Cubs will have on their side after winning the wild card game. Expect to see the Cardinals get eliminated by potential manager of the year Joe Maddon and the Miracle Cubs.
Winner: Chicago Cubs.
NLDS TWO: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets.
This game will be all about the pitching. The Mets will face Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke in games one and two, respectively. However, the Dodgers will face Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Matt Harvey respectively in games one, two, and three. DeGrom has shut-down the Dodgers this year (7.2 IP, two hits allowed, and eight strikeouts at home) and Noah Syndergaard allowed one run in six innings pitched at Dodger Stadium. Matt Harvey is the only one of the three who has lost to the Dodgers this year, allowing three runs and seven hits in his start against them in New York.
Winner: New York Mets.
ALCS: Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays.
Kansas would have home-field advantage, and that may be bad news for the Jays’ power. However, if they can get a win at Kauffman Stadium they can then take it to Rogers Centre and watch Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, and Troy Tulowitzki explode.
Winner: Toronto Blue Jays.
NLCS: Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets.
I wish I could pick both teams, but I’m leaning toward Anthony Rizzo and the Cubs. They won all seven of their games with the Mets this year. Jake Arrieta faced Jacob DeGrom and outpitched him. Lester also faced DeGrom this year and excelled.
Winner: Chicago Cubs.
World Series: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs.
Jays’ offense vs. Cubs’ pitching. It all comes down to that. This world series will definitely be one of the best we’ll ever see. The MVP vs. the Cy Young. Will Arrieta manage to control the Jays’ flame? Maybe for one game, but can Lester? Can Hammel? I don’t think so.
Winner of 2015 World Series: Toronto Blue Jays.
What are your predictions? Hit me up on Twitter @LWOSalex_levox.
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