World Series Predictions

Last week we concluded our tour of the six divisions and predicted their champions. This week we shall go one step further and predict who shall stand above the rest come seasons end. This will be a complete playoff preview that will surely be wrong in a few month’s time, but let’s do it anyway. For those of you who aren’t familiar with baseball’s playoff format let me give you a quick crash course.

Just like in other sports all the teams are divided into two “conferences” or in baseball’s case “leagues”(AL and NL). Each league has three divisions with five teams in them. The winner of each division automatically qualifies for the playoffs. The last two playoff spots, called the wildcard, go to the teams with the best record who didn’t win their division. The wildcard teams then face each other in a single-elimination game for the right to join the division winners in the playoffs. From there you have the divisional round which is a best 3 out of 5 and then the championship round which is a best 4 out of 7. Survive those two rounds and you find yourself in the World Series against the winner of the league. The World Series is also best 4 out of 7.

In the division previews we named our division winners, so in the AL the Yankees, White Sox, and Astros qualify. In the NL the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Braves represent their divisions. I’m giving the nod to the Yankees and Dodgers for having the best record in their respective leagues. All there’s left to do is predict our wildcard teams and how the rest of the playoffs will unfold. So as always let’s jump into it.

AL Wild Card: Toronto Blue Jays over Minnesota Twins

This game takes place in Minnesota, but it doesn’t help the Twins end a brutal 18 game losing streak in the playoffs. Unfortunately for Twins fans that streak increases to 19 as Toronto’s young bats take flight in this do-or-die game. The Twins will rue their missed opportunities as they just fell short of winning the division. Thus forcing them to participate in this game. The Blue Jays on the other hand had to fight off the desperate Angels just to hold onto the second wild card spot. The momentum they gained from finishing the season off strong allowed them to get past the Twins as well. Minnesota will once again face an offseason full of questions. Toronto will move on to face their division foes in New York.

NL Wild Card: San Diego Padres over New York Mets 

The Mets spend a good chunk of the season leading their division before a late charge from the Braves snatches it from them. This results in the Mets traveling cross country to San Diego where the high-flying Padres await them. Speaking of the Padres they had a phenomenal regular season. Unfortunately, the Dodgers had an even better season and held onto that division title. With the home crowd at their backs, the Padres send the Mets to an early vacation. San Diego’s weapons push across some early runs and that’s all they need to outlast the Mets in a nail-biter.  As is the case with the AL the wild card winner ends up playing a division rival. In this case, the Padres won’t have to travel far as the Dodgers await them.

ALDS: New York Yankees over Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto did well to survive the one game wildcard against Minnesota. They however don’t survive against the Bronx Bombers as the Yankees dominate this series. The Yankees finished the season with the best record in the AL for a reason. They showcase their superiority in this series as they sweep the Blue Jays. While getting swept by the Yankees will be a bitter pill to swallow Toronto does have some things to be proud of. Making and winning the wild card game is valuable experience for the young squad. The Yankees on the other hand move one step closer to their ultimate goal.

ALDS: Chicago White Sox over Houston Astros

Just about every postseason produces a surprise and this one is no different. Just about everyone would have the battle-tested Astros beating the up and coming White Sox. But in a series that goes the distance, the White Sox outlast the Astros. This is a major boost to Chicago as their young team gets valuable experience, but also has a series win under their belts. The next challenge will be playing against the high-flying Yankees. As for the Astros, questions start being asked as to if this is this the beginning of the end to their golden era. They should still be kings of the AL West but maybe another championship is a step too far.

NLDS: San Diego Padres over Los Angeles Dodgers

Perhaps the shocker of the divisional round. Fresh off of winning the wild card game the Padres conquer the Dodgers. Despite winning the division overall the Dodgers just couldn’t stop the Padres from marching on. Stealing a game on the road allowed San Diego the opportunity to seal this series at home. They took full advantage of that giving their home crowd reason to celebrate. The Dodgers will be disappointed to not only fall in the divisional round but also to lose to the Padres. That being said another division title after finally winning the World Series last year should ease the pain.

NLDS: St. Louis Cardinals over Atlanta Braves

For whatever reason, the Cardinals seem to have the Braves number when it comes to the playoffs. This year is no different as St. Louis takes care of the Braves in four games.  Atlanta’s playoff woes continue as this will feel like a step back compared to last season. Being one game away from the World Series last year meant that Atlanta at the very least needed to get back to the NLCS. Unfortunately, they fall short and will have to endure an uncomfortable offseason. As for the Cardinals they advance to yet another NLCS and will have a rematch against the Padres. San Diego was the team that knocked them out last year and revenge will be what the Cardinals are hoping for.

ALCS: New York Yankees over Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have done well to make it this far, but a World Series appearance is just a step too far. That being said winning the division as well as knocking off the Astros will be considered a success. The experience and success will surely be a boost to their player’s development. This season should also be a springboard to title contention over the next few years. The Yankees on the other hand finally make it back to the World Series. After being shut out over the last decade the evil empire finally takes center stage in the AL. They come into the World Series as favorites and will be eager to capture another title.

NLCS: San Diego Padres over St. Louis Cardinals

For the second year in a row, the Padres outlast the Cardinals in a long series. Each team steals a game on the road, but in the end, the Padres have the last laugh. The series goes the full seven and San Diego stuns the home crowd in St. Louis to take the series. The Cardinals are certainly disappointed to miss out on the World Series after coming so close. However, they reestablish themselves as one of the best teams in the NL and real title contenders. The offseason would’ve been better with a title, but at least they know they have a shot. The Padres head to New York to face off against the Yankees in a rematch of 1998.

World Series: New York Yankees vs San Diego Padres

For the first time since 1998, the San Diego Padres find themselves in the World Series. The franchise is hoping to finally capture that elusive first championship and all they have to do is beat the team with the most championships. Despite the difference in the pedigree the Padres stun Yankee fans by taking one of the first two games on the road. With the series tied at one apiece, the location shifts to San Diego. Backed by the home crowd the Padres win game three giving them a 2-1 series lead. Unfortunately, for them, that is when the good times end. The Yankees storm back and win the next two on the road giving them a 3-2 series lead as they head back home. In front of their home crowd, the Yankees take care of business and capture their 28th World Series title. It’s their first title since 2009 and ends a terrible drought (by Yankee fans standards) that their fanbase had to “suffer” through. Padre fans will no doubt be devastated that once again they fell short, but never fear they are young and the future is bright.

Congratulations, or condolences considering my prediction record, to Yankee fans as your team is the one that comes out on top. While I did mention that there is a chance these will be wrong I’m confident our final two will be correct. We will check back on all the predictions at the All-Star break and see how they stack up. Just remember that if the Yankees fail to win the World Series I’ll take full credit for putting the skunk on them. If they so happen to win the World Series I called it. A real win/win situation for everyone.