Post by Dodgers GM on Aug 20, 2018 22:35:34 GMT -5
Time for the annual playoff preview! I've been pretty accurate the past few years but this year is going to be a difficult one to predict because I think every playoff team has a real chance. Would not be surprised if these are very wrong!
Quarterfinals:
1. Cubs vs 8. Brewers
The defending champ vs a newcomer. I must say I have to give full credit to the Brewers to compete even with releasing both Tulo and Braun's contracts and operating with that handicap.
The Cubs are super banged up (Trout, Darvish, 2 SPs on the 60-day DL) but I think that they win in a close matchup. I think it's very fair to get excited about the Brewers future because of all the young talent they have, but think they'll have a better chance in future years.
2. Royals vs 7. Orioles
I think this is the first year that KC has won a division - congrats to him! - Vs. another newcomer in the O's. KC has finally called up Walker Buehler, who is awesome, and has rode the out of nowhere year from Max Muncy and the performance of Ohtani to steal the division in the last matchup.
I think KC wins this one because of the strength of his pitching - really tough to compete with DeGrom and Scherzer, let alone the other SPs that have posted good years. As long as their matchup doesn't look like this, we're good: (RIP Yordano Ventura)
3. Pirates vs 6. Mariners
A heartbreaker for the Mariners, who lost the division on the last day. I think it's really safe to say that the Mariners would rather see Baltimore than the 2 time champs (no offense to Baltimore). This is a rematch from the last matchup of the year, which the Pirates won in convincing fashion. I think I'll project that the same happens in this first round matchup but I wouldn't be shocked if J.D. Martinez carries the Mariners to an upset win.
4. Cardinals vs 5. Diamondbacks
The rematch from last year's first round! Ali vs Frazier II! Next year if we do this it will be the Thrilla in Manilla - or maybe the Show in Toronto (Booo. Sorry. Had to.) If the Cardinals win this I'm uninviting him from my wedding in January (kidding).
I bought at the deadline trying for a stretch run, and bought from the Cardinals no less! I think the funniest thing to happen would be if I look stupid giving up prospects and losing in the playoffs, so I hope the funny thing doesn't happen and I get another boring win. With the two most injured teams in the league (no joke - look at our DLs) it's a 50/50 shot, but I'll call it a DBacks win if I can get guys back healthy soon. Good luck buddy!
Semi-Finals
1. Cubs vs 5. Diamondbacks
Another rematch from last year's semis? Hope so!
I think this matchup will come down to whoever gets healthy first. As I mentioned, Cubs have no Trout or Darvish while I have no Bryant or Sale.
If I lose this because Alex Cobb (who I cut) has a great start or two, I think that would also be hilarious. But since I called the non-funny thing last round, I think I'll escape humiliation again and get an upset, provided Sale and other pitchers come back healthy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA).
2. Royals vs 3. Pirates
The Pirates always seem to be in these semis. I think last year may have been the first time that they've actually lost one!
I think that the Pirates offense is much better than KC, but that KC's pitching is better than Pitt's. In a league like this, I think I have to go for pitching over hitting every time. This may seem like an upset in terms of points scored (and I may regret the pick) but I think KC makes the finals for the first time.
Finals
2. Royals vs 5. Diamondbacks
2 first-timers in a final! A similar story can be written here, I think - my offense is better, but his pitching is better. Unless Betts really goes off and I can get healthy, I think that KC takes the title this year for the first time.
Let's see how accurate I am this year! Good luck in the playoffs everyone!
Quarterfinals:
1. Cubs vs 8. Brewers
The defending champ vs a newcomer. I must say I have to give full credit to the Brewers to compete even with releasing both Tulo and Braun's contracts and operating with that handicap.
The Cubs are super banged up (Trout, Darvish, 2 SPs on the 60-day DL) but I think that they win in a close matchup. I think it's very fair to get excited about the Brewers future because of all the young talent they have, but think they'll have a better chance in future years.
2. Royals vs 7. Orioles
I think this is the first year that KC has won a division - congrats to him! - Vs. another newcomer in the O's. KC has finally called up Walker Buehler, who is awesome, and has rode the out of nowhere year from Max Muncy and the performance of Ohtani to steal the division in the last matchup.
I think KC wins this one because of the strength of his pitching - really tough to compete with DeGrom and Scherzer, let alone the other SPs that have posted good years. As long as their matchup doesn't look like this, we're good: (RIP Yordano Ventura)
3. Pirates vs 6. Mariners
A heartbreaker for the Mariners, who lost the division on the last day. I think it's really safe to say that the Mariners would rather see Baltimore than the 2 time champs (no offense to Baltimore). This is a rematch from the last matchup of the year, which the Pirates won in convincing fashion. I think I'll project that the same happens in this first round matchup but I wouldn't be shocked if J.D. Martinez carries the Mariners to an upset win.
4. Cardinals vs 5. Diamondbacks
The rematch from last year's first round! Ali vs Frazier II! Next year if we do this it will be the Thrilla in Manilla - or maybe the Show in Toronto (Booo. Sorry. Had to.) If the Cardinals win this I'm uninviting him from my wedding in January (kidding).
I bought at the deadline trying for a stretch run, and bought from the Cardinals no less! I think the funniest thing to happen would be if I look stupid giving up prospects and losing in the playoffs, so I hope the funny thing doesn't happen and I get another boring win. With the two most injured teams in the league (no joke - look at our DLs) it's a 50/50 shot, but I'll call it a DBacks win if I can get guys back healthy soon. Good luck buddy!
Semi-Finals
1. Cubs vs 5. Diamondbacks
Another rematch from last year's semis? Hope so!
I think this matchup will come down to whoever gets healthy first. As I mentioned, Cubs have no Trout or Darvish while I have no Bryant or Sale.
If I lose this because Alex Cobb (who I cut) has a great start or two, I think that would also be hilarious. But since I called the non-funny thing last round, I think I'll escape humiliation again and get an upset, provided Sale and other pitchers come back healthy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA).
2. Royals vs 3. Pirates
The Pirates always seem to be in these semis. I think last year may have been the first time that they've actually lost one!
I think that the Pirates offense is much better than KC, but that KC's pitching is better than Pitt's. In a league like this, I think I have to go for pitching over hitting every time. This may seem like an upset in terms of points scored (and I may regret the pick) but I think KC makes the finals for the first time.
Finals
2. Royals vs 5. Diamondbacks
2 first-timers in a final! A similar story can be written here, I think - my offense is better, but his pitching is better. Unless Betts really goes off and I can get healthy, I think that KC takes the title this year for the first time.
Let's see how accurate I am this year! Good luck in the playoffs everyone!
