Playoff Baseball: Updates and Predictions
The cutthroat competition for a World Series positionAlex StewartThe Santa ClaraOctober 12, 2017
Baseball is like a reality television show, with 162 episodes per season. And when your team makes the playoffs, it’s like your favorite show releasing extended cuts or an hour-long special after the season ends. Playoff baseball is here and the games are as exciting as ever. Here are some updates and predictions for the 2017 MLB Playoffs: Eastern American League Division Series (NYY and CLE, two games to two) The Yankees look to keep their postseason hopes alive after their young core cranked out back-to-back wins against the Indians—who are favored for a World Series victory. Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer tried to eliminate the Yankees on short rest, but that inevitably came back to bite him. The Yankees will likely roll out 37-year-old pitcher C.C. Sabathia for Game Five against the Indians’ probable pitcher, Corey Kluber. If Sabathia can look like his dominant self one more time this late in his career, he could best the Indian’s Cy Young candidate Kluber. Expect this to be a very close, down-to-thewire game with the Yankees coming out on top, four to three, courtesy of the deep Yankees bullpen and the offense of Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and Gary Sanchez. Western American League Division Series (HOU over BOS, three games to one) The Houston Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park by a tight five to four margin in Game Four. This was the lone series with dominant pitching performances so far, including separate outings by Chris Sale, David Price and Dallas Keuchel. Houston’s pitching depth, and excellent offense up and down the lineup could carry them all the way to a World Series Championship. Eastern National League Division Series (CHI leads WAS, two games to one) For years, the Washington Nationals have fallen to teams of seemingly lower caliber despite having a loaded roster on paper. Chicago has plenty of talent and experience to go head-to-head with Washington, and the deciding factor will be pitching performance. Jake Arrieta looks to start for the Cubs in Game Four at Wrigley Field, and the former Cy Young pitcher will put up a good showing against a demoralized Washington. Chicago will win the series at home. Western National League Division Series (LAD over ARI, three games to none) The Dodgers seem to be living up to the hype through and through, their pitching and hitting was better than the Diamondbacks on every level. Los Angeles swept Arizona in Game Three proving that this might finally be the year of the Dodgers. If Clayton Kershaw can shake off his run of bad playoff performances, and the Dodgers’ offense can back him, he should lead L.A. to a World Series berth. American League Championship Series (HOU v. NYY) Although I would love to see my Yankees win the World Series this year, I’m going to be realistic; it would be a major feat to take down the incredible Astros. Both sides are talented in all aspects of the game but it will be the Astros’ dominant starting pitching and offensive production that will be the deciding factor. This series will go six games with the Astros’ Dallas Keuchel doing what he does best in Game Six to send them to the World Series. The young Yankee core will have gained valuable playoff experience and will be ready to come win it all in 2018. National League Championship Series (LAD v. CHI) Here we are again—a rematch of last year—as the Cubs try to keep the magic rolling against the extremely talented Dodgers. This seven game series will be entertaining throughout. A Dodgers World Series berth will be thanks to their elite closer Kenley Jansen, and the offensive firepower from Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager. World Series (HOU v. LAD) The Dodgers have the advantage in terms of pitching, but the Astros have the better offense. The power bats of Correa, Springer and Altuve, combined with good enough pitching, should pave the way for an Astros World Series title. A seven game series will go back and forth, but veteran Justin Verlander will be credited with the win in Game Seven. After years of subpar seasons, the famous trophy will finally return to Minute Maid Park. *Editor’s note: NYY v. CLE and CHI v. WAS games were ongoing at time of publication. Contact Alex Stewart at atewart@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.