MLB Playoff Preview

The actual playoffs are upon us for Major League Baseball. Here’s the breakdown of who’s playing who, when and how you can watch. Oh, and also my picks on who wins. Feel free to argue all you want!

The Divisional Series are best out of 5 games. The first team to 3 wins.

American League

Boston Red Socks (93-69) vs. Houston Astros (101-61)

Game 1 (in Houston): Thursday 3:08 pm on MLBN

Game 2: Friday 1:05 pm on FS1

Game 3 (in Boston): Sunday 1:38 pm on FS1

Game 4: Monday 10:11 am on FS1

Game 5: Wednesday 10:11 am on FS1

My pick: The Astros, this is a talented young team that has dominated their division all season and their league most of the season. They are inexperienced, but they should still be able to defeat Boston. I expect Houston to win in 4 games.

New York Yankees (91-71) vs. Cleveland Indians (102-60)

Game 1 (in Cleveland): Thursday 6:38 pm on FS1

Game 2: Friday 5:08 pm on FS1

Game 3 (in New York): Sunday 6:38 pm on FS1

Game 4: Monday 10:11 am on FS1

Game 5 (in Cleveland): Wednesday 10:11 am on FS1

My pick: I think the Indians will beat the Yankees who I’ve already expressed should not be in the playoffs. The Indians are a great team, they won 21 straight games during the season to beat the previous straight game record. They lost the World Series last year, they have the experience and fire power to blow by the Yankees. I think the Indians will win in a sweep.

 

National League

Chicago Cubs (92-70) vs the Washington Nationals (97-65)

Game 1 (in Washington): Friday 6:31 pm on TBS

Game 2: Saturday 4:38 pm on TBS

Game 3 (in Chicago): Monday 10:11 am on TBS

Game 4: Tuesday 10:11 am on TBS

Game 5 (in Washington): Thursday 10:11 am on TBS

My pick: I’m picking the Nationals here, but I think the Cubs will play them close, taking it to 5 games. This Cubs team is the same team that won the World Series last year. Sure, they have some injuries and have looked pretty lethargic this year, but they are a quality team who have been here before. But the Nationals are better. They have a great starting rotation in pitching and one of the best players in the league with Bryce Harper. I’m taking the Nationals.

 

Arizona Diamondbacks (93-69) vs LA Dodgers (104-58)

Game 1 (in LA): Friday 9:31 pm on TBS

Game 2: Saturday 8:08 pm on TBS

Game 3 (in Arizona): Monday 10:11 am on TBS

Game 4: Tuesday 10:11 am on TBS

Game 5 (in LA) Thursday 11:11 on TBS

My pick: The Dodgers in 5 games. The Diamondbacks have a winning record against the Dodgers this season (8-11) but the Dodgers are good, like really good. They had a major slump just a month ago and even with that huge slump were still able to hold onto the best record in baseball. Also, did I mention the Dodgers have the best pitcher in baseball? I think it will be a tight series but I think it will be enough to shake the Dodgers up and move them on.

According the the ESPN Power rankings:

1. Indians
2. Dodgers
3. Astros
4. Nationals
5. Cubs
6. Yankees
7. Redsocks
8. Diamondbacks

My Power Rankings:

1. Dodgers
2. Indians
3. Nationals
4. Astros
5. Diamondbacks
6. Cubs
7. Redsocks
8. Yankees

*all times in Central Time