JD’s Playoff Picks
If my preseason picks are any indication you should probably just stop reading. You may recall I picked both Baltimore and Oakland to dwell in the cellar and didn’t even offer a glimmer of hope. Thankfully, the the move to WordPress decided to delete that article.
AL
Baltimore at Texas - If the playoffs are a coin flip than these one game match-ups aren’t any different. I’ll go with the Orioles because of the awesome bullpen.
Detroit vs. Oakland – In a seven game series it’s pretty hard to pick against the team who could have Justin Verlander throwing three times. So I won’t. Detroit it 6.
New York vs. Baltimore - In addition to finishing in a dead heat, these two split the season series at nine games a piece. Not much of a difference. Baltimore doesn’t have anyone to match up against C.C. but I like their chances due to a strong pen. There are going to be a ton of home runs in this series. Baltimore in 7.
Detroit vs. Baltimore – Yes, I have a crush on Justin Verlander. Same rationale applies. Detroit in 6.
NL
St. Louis at Atlanta – Ir’s hard not to love Atlanta here. Kimbrel and Medlen shut down the Cardinals.
Atlanta vs. Washington – Without Strasburg this is a tough call. Do you pull for Chipper in his final year or Washington because they have squandered so many chances in the past two decades? I’m going with Washington in 7.
Cincinnati vs. San Francisco - No team has been overlooked as much as the Reds. They’ll need Latos and Cueto to step up and hope Dusty doesn’t shoot himself in the foot but this may be the pick I’m most confident about. (read: 55% chance I’m right). Reds over Giants in 5.
Washington v. Cincinnati- I’m going to pick the Reds again here because while I love him(fantasy owner), I’m not confident in Jordan Zimmermann. He’s struggled in the second half and just isn’t missing bats like he’s capable of. Gio and Cueto are a wash, but I’m liking Latos of Zimmermann this series. Maybe it’s all his innings, I don’t know. Reds in 6.
World Series
Assuming my picks are right and they probably are not, I’ll take Cinci of Detroit. Verlander fetish be dammed. Chapman strikes out Miggy and Fielder to end the 6th game and the Reds take home that weird trophy.
Division Series are best of five, not best of seven.