The journey began 162 games ago. For 20 teams the journey has concluded, and it is on to spring training. For 10 teams the journey continues. Over the next month, we will crown a new World Series Champion. Let’s take a look at the 2019 MLB Postseason.
Houston Astros
The American League features the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, and Tampa Bay Rays. The Astros finished with the best record in the American League with 107 wins. The Astros will host the winner of the Wild Card game between the Rays and A’s. Houston won the World Series, two years ago, in seven games. The Astros are led offensively by George Springer, Jose Altuve, and Carlos Correa. Houston adds a strong pitching staff led by Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Zack Greinke. Manager AJ Hinch hopes to lead his team to their second title in three years. Their closest competition is the Yankees.
New York Yankees
New York finished four wins behind Houston for the top spot in the American League. The Yankees lost the season series to the Astros 4-3. New York is led by slugger Aaron Judge, veterans Didi Gregorius and Brett Gardner, and young catcher Gary Sanchez. The Yankees’ pitching rotation is no slouch either with CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, and J.A. Happ. Aaron Boone looks to bring title 28 to the Yankee organization. Conventional wisdom tells us to expect Yankees vs. Astros, we cannot overlook the Minnesota Twins. The Twins won 101 games this year winning their first AL Central Division title since 2010. The Twins will have success during their postseason run.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The National League features the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers have advanced to the World Series two years in a row. Los Angeles again won the NL West and finished with a league-best record 106 wins. The Dodgers have weapons up and down their lineup including Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, A.J. Pollock, and Corey Seager. The Dodgers add in pitchers Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Walker Buehler. Dave Roberts has taken the Dodgers franchise to the next level, but they have no championship to show for their efforts. Could the 3rd time be the charm for the 2019 Dodgers?
Atlanta Braves
The Cinderella Braves proved to the national league that last year was not a fluke. The Braves repeated as NL East Champions and increased their win total from 90 wins to 97 wins. The Braves offense is led by youngsters Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson. Veterans Josh Donaldson, Nick Markakis, and the captain of this team Freddie Freeman add trouble for opposing pitchers night after night. Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and Dallas Keuchel spearhead the pitching staff for Atlanta. Atlanta has lost their previous 2 postseason meetings with the Dodgers.
The Braves hope that the 3rd meeting will fall in their favor. The Cardinals are a dark horse in the national league as we begin the playoffs. The Cardinals’ last playoff appearance came in 2015 and won the 2011 world series. St. Louis finished runner-up in 2013. The Cardinals wrapped up 2019 with a record of 91-71. St. Louis has a lot going for them and cannot be taken lightly by the Braves. The Cardinals can easily win their divisional matchup with Atlanta.
Wild Card Teams
A Wild Card team last won the World Series in 2014. The National League brings more of a threat to the Brewers and the Nationals. Milwaukee lost in the NLCS last year. Washington has two of the top pitchers in all the National League. This matchup will go down to the wire, and whoever wins will challenge the Dodgers in their divisional matchup.
The Rays and Athletics seem like an afterthought in the American League. The winner between them will have their work cut out for them against the Astros. Come ALDS time, if the Rays or Athletics can steal a game on the road, that moves the series in their favor for the final three games. Anything can happen in a five or seven-game series. For instance, the teams that execute the best will come out on top. Look for a mix of favorites and underdogs to advance throughout the 2019 MLB postseason.
World Series Prediction
My official World Series prediction will be the New York Yankees vs the Los Angeles Dodgers. Experts are writing off the Yankees with the Astros making moves at the trade deadline. I think the Yankees are destined to make the Fall Classic. They have an explosive offense and a pitching rotation that can hold their own. New York has a dominant closer in Aroldis Chapman.
You got to get a lead to bring him in, but in that scenario give the Yankees the advantage. The Dodgers have become the blue blood in the National League. They have been able to keep their pieces in place year after year. They also have a dominant closer in Kenley Jansen. Los Angeles has been so close and yet so far away year after year. This team of Dodgers hopes they are the ones to break the dam for the city of LA. Regardless of who advances to the World Series, we are in for a competitive and exciting 2019 MLB postseason. I cannot wait to get the action underway and see how it unfolds. Let’s get it cranked up.
