October baseball is here. It’s time for Major League Baseball Postseason games. Miracles will happen, dreams will be crushed. Heroes will rise and fall. No one can know what will happen, but it’s fun pretending we have some idea.
So here’s my fearless forecast for how we’ll get to the Fall Classic.
Wild Card games
Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees
The Twins are this year’s Cinderella team. They’re the first team to make the playoffs a year after losing 100 games. This is the type of team the Yankees, baseball’s most decorated franchise, routinely devours. The Yankees have beaten some good Twins teams this century and the game will feature a match-up — Louis Severino vs Ervin Santana — that slightly favors the Bombers. I’d give anything for the Twins to win, but this one likely goes to the Yankees.
Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks
This game will feature two teams most Americans aren’t familiar with. However, both teams have stars that could capture the imaginations of fans young and old. Colorado’s Nolan Aranado and Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt are MVP candidates. Charlie Blackmon and J.D. Martinez are also fantastic players. My guess is Arizona wins because they have stronger pitching.
Division Series
New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians
The Indians have been on a magical ride, including a record-breaking winning streak. However, Yankees teams have beaten squad’s like this before. The 2001 Seattle Mariners come to mind. Both teams are tough in short series because they have dominant bullpens. The Indians, however, have better starters so I’ll give the nod to them in 5.
Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros
I just realized we could end up with another Boston/New York ALCS. That would be fun. But the Red Sox won’t play the Yankees in the ALCS. I do think they’ll beat the Astros, however. Houston is loaded with fun players, but I have a hard time seeing any team beat a rested Chris Sale twice.
Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals
This should be an incredibly fun matchup. The reigning champs against an incredibly talented Washington squad. Washington is a bit dinged up and the Cubs have been playing strongly.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Baseball’s best regular season team hasn’t won the World Series much this century. Last year’s Cubs are the only team to pull it off. That’s not a good omen for the Dodgers, but unless Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez get hot, this series is going to the Dodgers.
Championship Series
Indians vs. Red Sox
It’s hard to imagine the ALCS not being fun, no matter which of the five teams are in it, but this would be a blast. Corey Kluber versus Chris Sale alone is worth the price of Admission. I’d say Indians in 6.
Dodgers vs. Cubs
Another series that should be a treat. America wins no matter who takes this series. But this might be the year Clayton Kershaw dominates a series. Calling it Dodgers in seven.
World Series
Indians vs Dodgers
This series should be a blast. You’ve got the grizzled vets at second base. The Cy Young winners. The dynamic youngsters. You’ve got one team that hasn’t won in 30 years and another that blew a 3-1 lead last year. I also think this is a fantastic match-up. I’d go Indians in seven