On to the Divisional round and the only team I didn’t think would make it is the Twins but then when we realize the Jays are totally incompetent it all makes sense. Honestly, once Toronto dropped game 1, they were dead.
Now onto the bold calls of the playoffs and I have already stated this publicly so it might be repetative for some of you, but here are my Divisional Series predictions.
— UPDATE: No major changes with Heaney (TEX) and Ober (MIN) starting —
RANGERS vs ORIOLES
This is going to be the best series of the Divisional round, not the two N.L ones – although they’ll be pretty good themselves. Baltimore remains my pick to make the World Series from the American League, but if they lose this then I’ll switch that to Texas. The key difference in a fifth game is Baltimore has deeper options in terms of arms they can utilize even without Bautista on the backend and I think they can find some holes in that Texas lineup to get out of big jams.
Look for the home team to win every game.
Prediction: Orioles in 5
TWINS vs ASTROS
Minnesota is going to have to out hit the Astros to try and steal this series & I don’t hate their chances of putting up some offense in the first two games, but I really hate their chances of their starting pitching being good enough two win a game in Houston. So when it shifts back to Minnesota and it’s 2-0, you’ll see Houston finish them off. That said, I do like the over in the first game on Saturday and if that happens, Minnesota has a chance to steal one.
Prediction: Astros in 3
PHILLIES vs BRAVES
Philly is just simply a better team. That isn’t always the correct measurable for picking a winner in a short 5 game series, but it’s a fact. They have equal the healthy pitching of Atlanta, they have equal the lineup and I actually trust their defense for the first time ever. Advantage Philly as well in terms of Atlanta having been off all week and allowing the Phils to roll out Suarez in game one to steal it.
Prediction: Phillies in 4
DIAMONDBACKS vs DODGERS
Now for my real upset. When you get a divisional matchup in the playoffs the advantage should go to the underdog because the knowledge of knowing each other very well reduces the talent advantage somewhat. Merrill Kelly is 0-5 lifetime in 8 career Dodger Stadium starts with a 7.03 ERA. He has given up 8 HR in 39 2/3 IP in L.A. So, why do I like Arizona so much? Same theory as with Suarez vs Atlanta. I don’t trust the offenses who have been off all week and so Kelly, while not perfect on Saturday, can keep them in it and help steal one game. The other thing here is that Arizona is going to win both of their home games. Ride the young D’Backs.
Prediction: Diamondbacks in 4
- Kyle Bradish (DK: $7300, FD: $9500) … We start off in what should be an ELECTIC Camden Yards atmosphere and Bradish should thrive off the crowd behind him to give the Orioles 6 strong innings with < 2 ER.
- Justin Verlander (DK: $8400, FD: $9700) … Kinda like Nola the other night. When he gets on a roll mid game he will just stack up the strikeouts and my fears of a HR to Polanco or Kepler will be mitigated. The over could come from the bullpens in this game.
- Astros
- Phillies
- Dodgers/Diamondbacks
CATCHER
Crazy call of the day, catchers who played in the Wild Card round will do well today.
- J.T. Realmuto
- Ryan Jefferson
- Jonah Heim
FIRST BASE
- Christian Walker
- Bryce Harper
- Nate Lowe
SECOND BASE
- Ketel Marte
- Bryson Stott
- Jose Altuve
THIRD BASE
- Alex Bregman
- Evan Longoria
- Gunnar Henderson
SHORTSTOP
- Trea Turner
- Carlos Correa
- Jeremy Pena
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
- Kyle Tucker
- Kyle Schwarber
- Marcell Ozuna
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr
OF ALSO CONSIDER:
- Mookie Betts
- Chas McCormick
- Christian Walker – 1B – Diamondbacks – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- Kyle Tucker – OF – Astros
- JT Realmuto – C – Phillies
- Gunnar Hendreson – SS – Orioles
BETS
Rangers/Orioles UNDER 8 / Orioles ML
Houston ML / Over 8
Phillies ML
Diamondbacks ML