With the divisional series’ now upon us plenty of questions arise more notably with two of the biggest surprises this season in Baltimore and Oakland. First and foremost can the magic continue between these two teams after they were both able to feast of what became a very vulnerable Texas Rangers squad. After Oakland swept the Rangers during the final series of the regular season to take the AL West, Baltimore was able to stun the two-time defending AL Champions 5-1 during the inaugural AL Wild Card game.
How does this success though translate to the divisional round when they are pitted against teams in a five game series?
Lets take a look…
ALDS: Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees
The Baltimore Orioles’ run has certainly been impressive but lets be honest with ourselves here, they way the Rangers were playing down the stretch it seems like any team in the majors could’ve had their way with him. With the said the Yankees are getting healthy and unlike the Rangers head into the playoffs on a positive note after once again making the Boston Red Sox look pathetic the final series of the regular season.
It’s here that the Orioles’ inexperience finally catches up to them.
Yankees win in 4 Games
ALDS: Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics
I can see this series shaping up much like the Yankees/Orioles series, an experienced team taking advantage of an inexperienced team and moving onto the ALCS. However the Tigers have been a very polarizing team this season which could play into the hands of a very hot Athletics team.
However in the end, it’s going to be the Detroit pitching staff that ultimately shuts down an A’s offense that can get very stagnant.
Tigers win in 5 Games
NLDS: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals
You can never count out the Cards, we learned that last season however I don’t believe St. Louis has enough in the rotation to completely take advantage of a Strasburgless Nationals rotation.
Nationals win in 5 Games
NLDS: San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds
With all the fanfare that the Washington Nationals got this past season, the Cincinnati Reds quietly dominated their division and plowed their way through the National League. When it comes to the Reds and the Giants though it’s all going to come down to who has the deeper team which by all accounts is Cincinnati.
Reds win in 4 Games
ALCS: Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees
From and offensive and pitching standpoint I like what the Tigers bring to the table more so than the Yankees. Detroit has two of the more feared hitters in the game with Cabrera and Fielder and have maybe the most shutdown top three rotation in the playoffs with Verlander, Fister and Scherzer.
New York still has a questionable rotation and the inability to consistently put the ball in play.
Tigers win in 6 Games
NLCS: Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals
With Washington shutting down Starsburg towards the end of the season, I’ve always maintained that they’re going to have trouble stacking up to opposing teams who have good pitching staffs. This is where that comes into play as Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos and the Reds bullpen propel Cincinnati into the World Series.
World Series: Detroit Tigers vs. Cincinnati Reds
If only legendary manager Sparky Anderson were alive to see this, two of his former teams going head-to-head for all the marbles.
Both teams have good top of the rotation pitching and offenses that can put up runs in droves.
However when it all comes down to it, the Reds are just much more of a complete team with a more reliable defense and better consistency coming out of the bullpen.
Reds win in 7 Games
