MLB Playoff Predictions: Surprise Contenders Still Hanging Around, But How Much Longer Will It Be?
The Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cleveland Indians. The Pittsburgh Pirates.
Last year, these three were at the cellar of the division. Now, they have become contenders.
Are they still hanging around? Yes.
In fact, Cleveland is just three games back in the AL Central, and the surging D-Backs are now up by one game in the NL West. While the Pirates are tied for third place and ten games back, they still have a legitimate chance.
So do the Red Sox and Yankees. The Phillies? Of course. Milwaukee and St. Louis have a chance. San Francisco and Atlanta have a shot. Texas and the Angels are in the mix. Detroit isn't out of it.
Here are my playoff picks.
NLDS Matchups
(1) Philadelphia vs (3) Arizona
(2) Milwaukee vs (4) Atlanta
ALDS Matchups
(1) NY Yankees vs (3) Detroit
(2) Texas vs (4) Boston
NLDS Preview: (1) Philadelphia vs (3) Arizona
The Diamondbacks will bring a challenge with Justin Upton and their bats, and Ian Kennedy and their stellar staff, but Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and the Phillies will outduel Arizona. One thing for Philadelphia though; Ian Kennedy bested Cliff Lee and Daniel Hudson beat Roy Oswalt earlier this year.
Arizona's pitching staff is good, and Justin Upton, Chris Young, and Paul Goldschmidt's team can hit. San Francisco is a good contender, and they have a better pitching staff then Arizona, but the D-Backs did a great job against the Giants relievers (notably Ramon Ramirez and Javier Lopez) and were able to get to Matt Cain, although Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong pitched well against Arizona. I think Arizona wins the division by three games.
Philadelphia will coast to the NL East title. Right now, they are coming off a road trip in which they won nine of ten games, a franchise record, and they lead the Atlanta Braves, the second-best team in the National League, by eight games. Every pitcher on their staff except Roy Oswalt has a winning record.
I think Arizona will bring a challenge, and all four games will be close, but I have Philadelphia taking down the D-Backs in four hard-fought games.
Prediction: Phillies in 4
(2) Milwaukee vs (4) Atlanta
Milwaukee has a great offensive core of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, and Rickie Weeks (once he returns) Corey Hart, and Nyjer Morgan are great compliments. Shaun Marcum, Yovani Gallardo and Zack Greinke are dependable pitchers, and if they get hot at the right time, they can sidestep any team. They just finished a streak where they won 13 of 14 games, and right now, their bullpen is looking good with Francisco Rodriguez and Jon Axford.
Atlanta, on the flip side, is riding a 31-game hit streak by Dan Uggla, and they have the ability to win any game, even without Brian McCann. Atlanta is currently on a four-game win streak. Freddie Freeman has compensated very well for the loss of Derrek Lee at first base, and Alex Gonzalex is riding a hot bat. With new center fielder Michael Bourn off to a strong start in his new home, and Jose Constanza doing very well in left, the Braves will be dangerous.
This will be a very good matchup, with every game down to the wire, and the series will go into five games, but I think Milwaukee prevails at home. Shaun Marcum will continue his remarkable season, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder will dominate, and the Brewers will take home a win series win.
Prediction: Brewers in 5
ALDS Preview: (1) NY Yankees vs (3) Detroit
The Yankees pitching staff isn't much to look at, and Mariano Rivera isn't having a great year, but the Yankees bats are enough. With Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Mark Texiara and co. at the helm, the men in pinstripes can accomplish anything. Among that is a possible 28th World Series title.
Detroit will get past Cleveland in a tight race and make it to the first round, and even though they have a fantastic ace in Justin Verlander and a good offensive core of Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, they don't have enough to get by the Yankees. Justin Verlander against CC Sabathia will be a pitching duel for the ages, however.
I think Verlander and Sabathia battle out a close game, but the Yankees prevail, and New York dominates the next two and wins the series in three.
Prediction: Yankees in 3
(2) Texas vs (4) Boston
This will be a series of bats. Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Adrian Beltre will lead the Rangers, who can pour 20 runs on you any day, while David Ortiz, Kevin Youkillis, and Dustin Pedroia lead the Red Sox in.
I think New York defeats Boston in a tight battle for the AL East title, so the Sox settle for a battle with the Rangers. Carl Crawford, David Ortiz, and the Sox can hit, but so can Texas. Both teams have good pitching, too, as CJ Wilson and Alexi Ogando have thrived and Colby Lewis has been stellar. However, Jon Lester, John Lackey and Josh Beckett is definitely something to fear.
I think in a hard-fought, high-scoring series, the Red Sox staff and bats outduel Texas, and they head into a classic battle with the Yankees for a World Series berth.
Prediction: Red Sox in 4
NLCS Preview: (1) Philadelphia vs (2) Milwaukee
This will be another battle of the bats. Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard. Ryan Braun and Chase Utley. Rickie Weeks and Hunter Pence. They match up pretty evenly. While Philadelphia will have the edge of being at home, don't be surprised if those Brewers slide past Philly and into the Fall Classic.
Don't get me wrong, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are great pitchers, but the Brewers took two of three in Philadelphia earlier this year, and they lit up Roy Halladay. Randy Wolf, the Brewers fourth starter, dominated the Phillies.
However, this is a different Phillies team. Chase Utley is healthy. Hunter Pence is a Phillie. Brad Lidge is back. Cole Hamels has been great. This will be another great series, but I think that Pence, Howard and the Phillies prevail.
Prediction: Phillies in 6
ALCS Preview: (1) NY Yankees vs (4) Boston
Right now, all the talk in this rivalry is about the Red Sox having the Yankees number. And in some ways, they do. CC Sabathia is 0-4 this year against Boston. Freddy Garcia is 0-2. Mariano Rivera isn't the same against Boston.
But New York still has bats. They have Robby Cano, Tex and Grandyman. Unfortunately for them, the Red Sox match that with Big Papi, Crawford and Pedroia. This is a pretty even series, talent wise.
But look closer, and you'll see that the Red Sox are 10-2 against New York this year. Rivera has one blown save against Boston, and he has been off recently. Boston has the Yankees number. And while the Yanks will take a couple in this series, it belongs to the Red Sox.
Prediciton: Red Sox in 6
World Series Preview (1) Philadelphia vs (4) Boston
While Boston may have the Wild Card, there is no denying their talent. And opposing teams know that. One of those teams is the Phillies, the high-scoring team with a great pitching staff who can beat any team.
Earlier this year, Philadelphia took two of three from Boston. Cliff Lee pitched a two-hit shutout, Vance Worley gave up just one run, and Raul Ibanez dominated. Now, Philadelphia has Hunter Pence, and they are a better team, on a huge hot streak. Boston just got Erik Bedard at the trade deadline.
The Red Sox are talented, but I think the Phillies recent playoff experience, and their talent is enough. Even though they have struggled in the past against Boston, I think the Phillies can take down the Red Sox.
Prediction: Phillies in 7
Last year, these three were at the cellar of the division. Now, they have become contenders.
Are they still hanging around? Yes.
In fact, Cleveland is just three games back in the AL Central, and the surging D-Backs are now up by one game in the NL West. While the Pirates are tied for third place and ten games back, they still have a legitimate chance.
So do the Red Sox and Yankees. The Phillies? Of course. Milwaukee and St. Louis have a chance. San Francisco and Atlanta have a shot. Texas and the Angels are in the mix. Detroit isn't out of it.
Here are my playoff picks.
NLDS Matchups
(1) Philadelphia vs (3) Arizona
(2) Milwaukee vs (4) Atlanta
ALDS Matchups
(1) NY Yankees vs (3) Detroit
(2) Texas vs (4) Boston
NLDS Preview: (1) Philadelphia vs (3) Arizona
The Diamondbacks will bring a challenge with Justin Upton and their bats, and Ian Kennedy and their stellar staff, but Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and the Phillies will outduel Arizona. One thing for Philadelphia though; Ian Kennedy bested Cliff Lee and Daniel Hudson beat Roy Oswalt earlier this year.
Arizona's pitching staff is good, and Justin Upton, Chris Young, and Paul Goldschmidt's team can hit. San Francisco is a good contender, and they have a better pitching staff then Arizona, but the D-Backs did a great job against the Giants relievers (notably Ramon Ramirez and Javier Lopez) and were able to get to Matt Cain, although Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong pitched well against Arizona. I think Arizona wins the division by three games.
Philadelphia will coast to the NL East title. Right now, they are coming off a road trip in which they won nine of ten games, a franchise record, and they lead the Atlanta Braves, the second-best team in the National League, by eight games. Every pitcher on their staff except Roy Oswalt has a winning record.
I think Arizona will bring a challenge, and all four games will be close, but I have Philadelphia taking down the D-Backs in four hard-fought games.
Prediction: Phillies in 4
(2) Milwaukee vs (4) Atlanta
Milwaukee has a great offensive core of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, and Rickie Weeks (once he returns) Corey Hart, and Nyjer Morgan are great compliments. Shaun Marcum, Yovani Gallardo and Zack Greinke are dependable pitchers, and if they get hot at the right time, they can sidestep any team. They just finished a streak where they won 13 of 14 games, and right now, their bullpen is looking good with Francisco Rodriguez and Jon Axford.
Atlanta, on the flip side, is riding a 31-game hit streak by Dan Uggla, and they have the ability to win any game, even without Brian McCann. Atlanta is currently on a four-game win streak. Freddie Freeman has compensated very well for the loss of Derrek Lee at first base, and Alex Gonzalex is riding a hot bat. With new center fielder Michael Bourn off to a strong start in his new home, and Jose Constanza doing very well in left, the Braves will be dangerous.
This will be a very good matchup, with every game down to the wire, and the series will go into five games, but I think Milwaukee prevails at home. Shaun Marcum will continue his remarkable season, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder will dominate, and the Brewers will take home a win series win.
Prediction: Brewers in 5
ALDS Preview: (1) NY Yankees vs (3) Detroit
The Yankees pitching staff isn't much to look at, and Mariano Rivera isn't having a great year, but the Yankees bats are enough. With Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Mark Texiara and co. at the helm, the men in pinstripes can accomplish anything. Among that is a possible 28th World Series title.
Detroit will get past Cleveland in a tight race and make it to the first round, and even though they have a fantastic ace in Justin Verlander and a good offensive core of Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, they don't have enough to get by the Yankees. Justin Verlander against CC Sabathia will be a pitching duel for the ages, however.
I think Verlander and Sabathia battle out a close game, but the Yankees prevail, and New York dominates the next two and wins the series in three.
Prediction: Yankees in 3
(2) Texas vs (4) Boston
This will be a series of bats. Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Adrian Beltre will lead the Rangers, who can pour 20 runs on you any day, while David Ortiz, Kevin Youkillis, and Dustin Pedroia lead the Red Sox in.
I think New York defeats Boston in a tight battle for the AL East title, so the Sox settle for a battle with the Rangers. Carl Crawford, David Ortiz, and the Sox can hit, but so can Texas. Both teams have good pitching, too, as CJ Wilson and Alexi Ogando have thrived and Colby Lewis has been stellar. However, Jon Lester, John Lackey and Josh Beckett is definitely something to fear.
I think in a hard-fought, high-scoring series, the Red Sox staff and bats outduel Texas, and they head into a classic battle with the Yankees for a World Series berth.
Prediction: Red Sox in 4
NLCS Preview: (1) Philadelphia vs (2) Milwaukee
This will be another battle of the bats. Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard. Ryan Braun and Chase Utley. Rickie Weeks and Hunter Pence. They match up pretty evenly. While Philadelphia will have the edge of being at home, don't be surprised if those Brewers slide past Philly and into the Fall Classic.
Don't get me wrong, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are great pitchers, but the Brewers took two of three in Philadelphia earlier this year, and they lit up Roy Halladay. Randy Wolf, the Brewers fourth starter, dominated the Phillies.
However, this is a different Phillies team. Chase Utley is healthy. Hunter Pence is a Phillie. Brad Lidge is back. Cole Hamels has been great. This will be another great series, but I think that Pence, Howard and the Phillies prevail.
Prediction: Phillies in 6
ALCS Preview: (1) NY Yankees vs (4) Boston
Right now, all the talk in this rivalry is about the Red Sox having the Yankees number. And in some ways, they do. CC Sabathia is 0-4 this year against Boston. Freddy Garcia is 0-2. Mariano Rivera isn't the same against Boston.
But New York still has bats. They have Robby Cano, Tex and Grandyman. Unfortunately for them, the Red Sox match that with Big Papi, Crawford and Pedroia. This is a pretty even series, talent wise.
But look closer, and you'll see that the Red Sox are 10-2 against New York this year. Rivera has one blown save against Boston, and he has been off recently. Boston has the Yankees number. And while the Yanks will take a couple in this series, it belongs to the Red Sox.
Prediciton: Red Sox in 6
World Series Preview (1) Philadelphia vs (4) Boston
While Boston may have the Wild Card, there is no denying their talent. And opposing teams know that. One of those teams is the Phillies, the high-scoring team with a great pitching staff who can beat any team.
Earlier this year, Philadelphia took two of three from Boston. Cliff Lee pitched a two-hit shutout, Vance Worley gave up just one run, and Raul Ibanez dominated. Now, Philadelphia has Hunter Pence, and they are a better team, on a huge hot streak. Boston just got Erik Bedard at the trade deadline.
The Red Sox are talented, but I think the Phillies recent playoff experience, and their talent is enough. Even though they have struggled in the past against Boston, I think the Phillies can take down the Red Sox.
Prediction: Phillies in 7
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