October is here! The NFL is in full swing, the NBA and NHL have started off their preseason games, and the Premier League is already 7 games in. But there is one sport that is in postseason mode. And that is the beautiful and amazing sport of baseball. The MLB postseason is my personal favorite of all the postseasons in American sport and since Chengez and Hirsch's favorite teams are in the mix this year, they're too scared to make predictions and jinx their hopes and dreams. However, since I'm an A's fan, it is totally fair game for me. So let's begin.
AL Wild Card Game:
Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles
Winner: Toronto Blue Jays
I believe Marcus Stroman will pitch decently enough for the Blue Jays to squeeze past a potent Orioles offense.
NL Wild Card Game:
San Francisco Giants vs New York Mets
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| The Battle of Aditya's Man Crushes |
Winner: San Francisco Giants
Despite facing Thor (Noah Syndergaard) himself, the Giants will win a close game thanks to a vintage postseason performance from Madison Bumgarner.
ALDS:
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| Aditya doesn't trust his man crush, Bauer |
Winner: Texas Rangers in 5
The Rangers have a better rotation with Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels, and both teams have extremely good offenses. The Rangers have also been red hot and I believe a solid performance from either Hamels or Darvish in game 5 will seal the win for Texas.
Cleveland Indians vs Boston Red Sox
Winner: Boston Red Sox in 5
I am a huge Trevor Bauer fan. I really am. But facing the Red Sox offense in Game 1 thanks to a series of injuries to the Indians rotation does not work in his favor whatsoever. The Red Sox pitching is shaky despite the addition of Drew Pomeranz but their offense is just ridiculous. Therefore, I see the Sox prevailing in this one.
NLDS:
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Washington Nationals
Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers in 5
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| Will Aditya's man crush, Kershaw, stop choking in the playoffs? |
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| Aditya's man crush, Harper, isn't happy with this prediction |
Winner: San Francisco Giants in 5
Yep, the Cubs are gonna have to wait to end their miserable curse. The Giants just seem to have some magic working for them in even years, and they have so much playoff experience. This matchup is dependent on the outcome of the wild card game of course, but Bumgarner has great numbers against the Cubs, Cueto has faced them several times in his career and Samardzija used to be with the Cubs, which I think will help him. Of course, the Cubs are stacked on both sides of the field with a deadly offense with the likes of Bryant, Rizzo and Zobrist and aces of their own like Lester and Arrieta, but I still see the Giants going through. It's the even year factor lads.
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| Aditya's man crush, Hamels |
Boston Red Sox vs Texas Rangers
Winner: Boston Red Sox in 7
This one truly is a tossup but man, I kinda want the Sox to reach the World Series since it is David Ortiz's final season. The Red Sox offense is also capable of roughing up the likes of Hamels and Darvish when they are hot. Therefore, while this is kind of a biased prediction, it is also based on what I see on paper. And on paper, I see the Sox winning this series.
NLCS:
Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants
Winner: San Francisco Giants in 7
If this matchup actually happens, it will be such a treat to watch. The historic rivalry will add in a new chapter with so much on the line and the atmosphere in the stadium during these games will be spectacular. The game being played on the field will be pretty darn good to watch as well. These teams are so familiar with one another and are probably fed up of facing each other on a regular basis. Seeing Kershaw and Bumgarner is always a treat, and a Rich Hill vs Cueto matchup ain't too shabby either. I'm siding with the Giants thanks to their experience in the playoffs once again. It will also be interesting to see how Kershaw copes with the pressure and his lingering back injuries. Another Bumgarner/Puig brawl would be pretty awesome to witness as well.
World Series:
Boston Red Sox vs San Francisco Giants
2016 MLB Champions: San Francisco Giants in 6
Yeah, it's gonna be them yet again. Bumgarner will pitch ridiculously well even on 1 days rest, let alone 3 and the Giants offense will get key hits to drive in runs against a shaky Sox pitching staff. Ortiz will retire on the losing end of the World Series and the Giants will be victorious once again.
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| Yeah, it's gonna happen again |
P.S: On a more somber note, I do want to dedicate a small paragraph to celebrate the legacy of Jose Fernandez. The story of his death was truly devastating not only because of what a great baseball player and a human being he was, but also because of the Hall of Fame potential he had that sadly could not be realized. The story about how he had to defect from Cuba on a raft for a third time to land a job in the USA shows his determination and commitment to play the game and his quick ascension through the ranks of the Marlins system truly shows the immense talent that he possessed. He was loved and adored by fans and players across the baseball community and will truly be missed not only because he was a great player, but more importantly because he was a gem of a human being. Rest in Peace.
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