SCO's World Series Predictions

It's early October, which can only mean one thing to baseball fans: postseason baseball. This season has been an exciting one, with some really strong teams emerging. But which will be the last team standing? Let's take a look at the playoff picture, and I'll give you my predictions.

NL Wildcard Game: Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals

The Nationals have made it to the postseason despite a tough start to the season, and are entering this home game with eight straight wins. On the other hand, the Brewers have been looking strong all season, especially in the past month. I think the Nationals are going to take this one at home, thanks to some strong starting pitching from Max Scherzer. Winner: Nationals 

NL Division Series: St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves

The Cardinals are a great team that earned a very respectable record in the best division in baseball. Their core is talented and exciting, and have proven that they can play well when it matters most. However, the same can be said about the Braves. Centerfielder Ronald Acuña is a certified star, and the infielder core is the best in the MLB. I'm going to take the Braves here because they have a much better starting rotation, and a good rotation is crucial in series. Winner: Braves

NL Division Series: Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers

All season, there has been a prophecy surrounding the Dodgers. Everyone expects them to go to the World Series: their starting pitching is good, their players are young but experienced, and Dave Roberts is an amazing manager. This team won't disappoint in the division series against a Nationals team with a struggling bullpen. Winner: Dodgers

NL Championship Series: Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers

These teams are very evenly matched. Both have decent rotations, good position players, and mediocre bullpens. It's really a tossup to pick a winner here, and I think this match-up has the potential to go through all seven games. I’ll have to go with LA here due to their stronger regular season performance. Winner: Dodgers

AL Wildcard Game: Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics

Tampa Bay was the team to beat early on in the season, but have been underwhelming since then. On the other hand, the A's played well all season, thanks to some great play from the rotation and star third baseman Matt Chapman. I simply can't pick the Rays here—they're too new to the scene. Winner: Athletics 

AL Division Series: Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros

Oakland has been playing well all year, but the Astros have been far better. The Astros have retained the same core from 2017, and they have the best pitching in the league. Winner: Astros

AL Division Series: Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees

This will be the most competitive out of the four division series. The Twins are very talented and underrated, while the Yankees are simply dominant. On paper, the Yankees are better. But the Twins played this season with so much energy and excitement that it's hard not to pick them here. Winner: Twins

AL Championship Series: Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros

This series will display the Twins' inexperience. I don't foresee the Twins being able to hold up against the lethal combo of Verlander, Cole and Greinke. On the flip side, I think the Astros' batters will be able to hit well against the average Twins pitching. Winner: Astros  

World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros

This rematch of the 2017 World Series might be even more exciting. The Dodgers have many young and talented position players, led by right fielder Cody Bellinger. On the other hand, the Astros have one of the best rotations baseball has ever seen and a talented crew of batters to back their pitchers up. In this battle of titans, I predict that the Dodgers will get their hearts broken yet again, and lose to the out-of-this-world Houston team. Winner: Astros