MLB Playoff Predictions: American League Wild Card Round
The American League Wild Card Round features exciting matchups that will keep baseball fans on the edge of their seats. First pitch is scheduled for Tuesday. Here are my predictions for this promising first round.
Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins - Best of 3 Winner: Twins
The American League Central Champions are just too powerful for the Astros pitching staff to handle. Nicknamed the “Bomba Squad” for their heavy reliance on the long ball, the Twins led the American League in overall home run percentage, per ESPN. However, their kryptonite is left-handed pitching. The Twins had the fewest home runs against southpaws in the American League. That’s good news for the Astros’ lefty starting pitcher, Framber Valdez, who will throw in either Game 2 or Game 3. Don’t get me wrong, the Astros have an explosive lineup as well. Their lineup is highlighted by All-Stars such as Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley. But they lack pitching depth, especially in their bullpen. This series will be exhilarating, but in the end Twins will come up on top in 3.
Chicago White Sox vs. Oakland Athletics- Best of 3 Winner: A’s
The fighting A’s are back in the playoffs again and their bullpen is stacked and they’re hungry to prove any naysayers wrong. Sure, their offense can falter at times and their starting rotation isn’t lights-out. However, their bullpen, led by their closer, Liam Hendricks, compiled an MLB-best sub 2.50 ERA, per ESPN. Yes, the White Sox have powerful bats in Jose Abreu, Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez, but good pitching beats good hitting on any given day. Sure, you can make an argument that White Sox hitters have excelled against elite pitching, but the A’s have too much pitching depth. Also, I don’t believe the White Sox have the ability to match the A’s pitching depth and Chicago manager Rick Renteria has a tendency to use his bullpen inefficiently. Oakland takes this series in 3.
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians- Best of 3 Winner: Yankees
The Yankees’ offense is too much for the Cleveland pitching staff to handle. Led by American League batting champion DJ LeMahieu and MLB home run king, Luke Voit, the Bronx Bombers are back in the playoffs and looking to terrorize more pitching staffs with their explosive offense. Let’s not forget their fire-hurling bullpen led by left-hander Aroldis Chapman. The bullpen can ease the load on the starting pitchers, but they need Gerrit Cole to pitch like an ace. Also it will be up to Aaron Boone to manage his arms efficiently— there are no off-days this year during a playoff series. Either way, if the Yanks stay healthy, this series is a no contest. New York in 2.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays- Best of 3 Winner: Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays earned the number one seed in the highly competitive American League for a reason: they’re legit. Starters Charlie Morton, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, all possess multiple swing-and-miss pitches in their repertoire and Glasnow’s breaking ball is practically unhittable. Their offense is aggressive and has the ability to get timely hits. However, they do have a tendency to get too aggressive and have a high strikeout rate. Ironically, they also have a high walk rate. Anyway, did I almost forget to mention their “stable of guys who throw 98 mph” that sit in their bullpen? Good luck, Blue Jay hitters. If Rays’ manager Kevin Cash manages his bullpen well, Tampa will take this series easily in 2.