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Enough with the one-game playoffs and the one-game eliminations. Now the playoffs become what baseball is about all year long: series. In a series is where the better team will truly win, unlike a win-or-go-home single game.
In the AL, number-one seed Boston will be against number four seed and winner of the wild card game, Tampa Bay. The other AL game will be number two seed and winner of the AL West, the Oakland A’s, facing the number three seed and winner of the AL Central, Detroit Tigers.
The NL Playoff picture has the number one seed representing the NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals, with home-field advantage, against NL Central runner-up and winner of the NL Wild Card, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Then the two seed from the NL East, the Atlanta Braves will play against the NL West winner, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
National League Division Series
#4 Pittsburgh Pirates v. #1 St. Louis Cardinals
Game 1
Pirates Starting Pitcher: A.J. Burnett 10-11 with a 3.30 ERA this season (3-1, 3.67 ERA this season in six starts)
Cardinals Starting Pitcher: Adam Wainwright 19-9 with a 2.94 ERA this season (1-0, 3.00 ERA this season in three starts)
Pirates X-Factor: Neil Walker .251 AVG, .339 OBP, 16 HR, 53 RBI this season in 133 games (.316 AVG, .409 OBP, 1 HR, 6 RBI v. Adam Wainwright in their careers)
Cardinals X-Factor: Carlos Beltran .296 AVG, .339 OBP, 24 HR, 84 RBI this season (.318 AVG, 2 HR, 13 RBI v. A.J. Burnett in their careers)
Projection: Pittsburgh can’t bring their crazy fan base with them, and that is bad news, because the Cardinals were 54-27 at home this season. Wainwright is a great pitcher who has a track record of being even better at home. The Cardinals offense will also probably be kept down a bit in this game against a good A.J. Burnett, but the Cardinals are the better team, and they are pumped up.
Cardinals 1-Pirates 0
Game 2
Pirates Starting Pitcher: Gerrit Cole 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA this season (no starts v Stl)
Cardinals Starting Pitcher: Lance Lynn 15-10 with a 3.97 ERA this season (2-1, 5.60 ERA against Pit this season)
Pirates X-Factor: Starling Marte .280 AVG, .343 OBP, 12 HR, 35 RBI this season (.462 AVG, .563 OBP in 13 ABs v. Lance Lynn in their careers)
Cardinals X-Factor: Jon Jay .276 AVG, .351 OBP, 7 HR, 67 RBI this season (.400 AVG, .464 OBP, 0 HR, 11 RBI in 60 ABs this year against the Pirates)
Projection: Lance Lynn in general has struggled against the Pirates this year, and Starling Marte will be there waiting in this one. Marte has been very solid all year, and even better against Lynn. The Pirates have a very good back of the bullpen and will look to hand them the ball in this one with the lead. Pittsburgh will turn home field advantage and steal one in St. Louis.
Cardinals 1-Pirates 1
Game 3
Pirates Starting Pitcher: Francisco Liriano 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA this season (3-0, 0.75 ERA against Stl this season)
Cardinals Starting Pitcher: Joe Kelly 10-5 with a 2.69 ERA this season (3-1, 2.53 ERA this season against Pit in three starts and three relief appearances)
Pirates X-Factor: Russell Martin .226 AVG, .327 OBP, 15 HR, 55 RBI this season in 127 games this year (.300 AVG, .426 OBP, 6 HR, 11 RBI this season against Stl)
Cardinals X-Factor: Matt Holliday .300 AVG, .389 OBP, 22 HR, 94 RBI this season (.342 AVG, 15 RBI this year against Pit)
Projection: In a game where Pittsburgh goes back home to a massive crowd, St. Louis will need every advantage they can get. Problem is, Liriano pitching for the Pirates is an immediate red flag for the whole Cardinals team. Combine that with Russell Martin who had great success this year against Shelby Miller including two home runs. The Cardinals will officially be put on notice.
Cardinals 1-Pirates 2
Game 4
Pirates Starting Pitcher: Charlie Morton 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA this season (0-2, 7.90 ERA against Stl this year in three starts)
Cardinals Starting Pitcher: Shelby Miller
Projection: Morton has been killed by the Cardinals all year long, and in an elimination game at home, the Cardinals will be even more intense this time. On the other hand, the Pirates will taste blood in front of their home fans, and they just have Miller’s number. The Pirates will run their division rivals and the number one seed out of the playoffs early.
Winner: Pittsburgh Pirates
National League Division Series
#3 Los Angeles Dodgers v. #2 Atlanta Braves
Game 1
Dodgers Starting Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA this season (no starts v. Atl)
Braves Starting Pitcher: Kris Medlen 15-12 with a 3.11 ERA this season (1-0, 0.00 ERA this season against LAD this year in two starts)
Dodgers X-Factor: Hanley Ramirez .345 AVG, .402 OBP, 20 HR, 57 RBI (.556 AVG, 1 HR, 2 RBI in 9 ABs v. Kris Medlen in their careers)
Braves X-Factor: Justin Upton .263 AVG, .354 OBP, 27 HR, 70 RBI (.103 AVG in 29 career ABs v. Clayton Kershaw)
Projection: No team facing Clayton Kershaw has a real good shot at victory, as shown by his 1.83 ERA this season. Hanley Ramirez also has had Medlen’s number, hitting .556 with 1 HR and two RBI. Atlanta has had a massive home field advantage this year (56-25 home record this year), but the Dodgers will flip home field advantage in game one.
Dodgers 1-Braves 0
Game 2
Dodgers Starting Pitcher: Zack Greinke 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA this season (1-0, 0.00 ERA this season against Atl in one start, seven innings)
Braves Starting Pitcher: Mike Minor 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA this season (1-0, 2.25 ERA this season against LAD in two starts)
Dodgers X-Factor: Yasiel Puig .319 AVG, .391 OBP, 19 HR, 42 RBI (.500 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI this season against Atl in 16 ABs)
Braves X-Factor: B.J. Upton .184 AVG, .268 OBP, 9 HR, 26 RBI this season in 126 games (.200 AVG, 0 HR, 0 RBI v. LAD in 15 ABs this season)
Projection: Mike Minor needs to throw a gem to match Greinke, and against this high-octane Dodgers offense, that is unlikely. Greinke has had success against the Braves already this year and will be able to keep it rolling. The Dodgers will blow this series wide open after stealing both of the Braves’ home games.
Dodgers 2-Braves 0
Game 3
Dodgers Starting Pitcher: Hyun Jin Ryu 14-8 with a 3.00 ERA this season (0-0, 2.13 ERA in two starts this year v. Atl)
Braves Starting Pitcher: Julio Teheran 14-8 with a 3.20 ERA this season (no starts v. LAD)
Dodgers X-Factor: Adrian Gonzalez .293 AVG, .342 OBP, 22 HR, 100 RBI this season (.130 AVG, 0 HR, 2 RBI this season in 23 AB against the Braves)
Braves X-Factor: Freddie Freeman .319 AVG, .396 OBP, 23 HR, 109 RBI this season (.346 AVG, 0 HR, 4 RBI against LAD this year)
Projection: Only Michael Young has seen Julio Teheran pitch, and he is 0-3 with a strikeout. The Dodgers will have the stadium filled to the brim, but in an elimination game, the Braves will bust out the bats on Ryu and send this to game 4.
Dodgers 2-Braves 1
Game 4
Dodgers Starting Pitcher: Ricky Nolasco 13-11 with a 3.70 ERA this season (1-0, 2.57 ERA against Atl this season in one start)
Braves Starting Pitcher: Freddy Garcia 4-7 with a 4.37 ERA this season (no starts v LAD)
Projection: The Dodgers will have the better starting pitcher again, and they will be able to slam the door shut at home to upset the Braves in a game that will not be close.
Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
American League Divisional Series
#4 Tampa Bay Rays v #1 Boston Red Sox
Game 1
Rays Starting Pitcher: Matt Moore 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA this season (2-0, 1.80 ERA this year in two starts against Bos)
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester 15-8 with a 3.75 ERA this season ( 2-1, 4.32 ERA this year against TB in four starts)
Rays X-Factor: Desmond Jennings .252, .334 OBP, 14 HR, 54 RBI (.238 AVG, 4 HR, 7 RBI this season against Bos in 80 ABs)
Red Sox X-Factor: David Ortiz .309 AVG, .395 OBP, 30 HR, 103 RBI this season ( .281 AVG, 2 HR, 9 RBI this year against TB)
Projection: David Ortiz is the man who will not go away, and he is one of the best leaders in the MLB. The Red Sox were terrific at home this year (53-28). Desmond Jennings has been dealing with an injured hamstring, but has absolutely worn out the Red Sox this year. Moore dominated the BoSox earlier this year, and will help the Rays steal game one.
Rays 1-Red Sox 0
Game 2
Rays Starting Pitcher: David Price 10-8 with a 3.33 ERA this season (2-2, 2.48 ERA this year in five starts against Bos)
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: John Lackey 10-13 with a 3.52 ERA this season ( 0-1, 8.10 ERA this year in two starts against TB)
Rays X-Factor: Fernando Rodney 3.38 ERA and 37 saves this season (3 saves and one loss against Bos this year)
Red Sox X-Factor: Dustin Pedroia .301 AVG, .372 OBP, 9 HR, 84 RBI this season ( .209 AVG, 0 HR, 6 RBI this year v. Tampa Bay)
Projection: The better pitcher will be on the bump for Tampa Bay, as he is the reigning Cy Young Award Winner. Price will be able to shut down the Red Sox and it will likely come down to closer Fernando Rodney, who already blew one game out of four against Boston this year. Rodney will probably make it interesting but will be able to nail down another save.
Rays 2-Red Sox 0
Game 3
Rays Starting Pitcher: Alex Cobb 11-3 with a 2.76 ERA this season (0-1, 5.16 ERA this yaer against Bos)
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: Clay Buchholtz 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA this season ( 2-0, 0.00 ERA this year against TB)
Rays X-Factor: Evan Longoria .269 AVG, .343 OBP, 32 HR, 88 RBI (.269 AVG, 5 HR, 7 RBI against Boston this year)
Red Sox X-Factor: Koji Uehara 1.09 ERA and 21 saves this season (0.00 ERA and one save this year against TB)
Projection: One of the best closers in the game (Uehara) will finally get a chance to do what he does best, save games, in Tampa Bay, to keep their series alive.
Rays 2-Red Sox 1
Game 4
Rays Starting Pitcher: Matt Moore
Red Sox Starting Pitcher: Jake Peavy 12-5 with a 4.17 ERA (1-0, 4.26 ERA this season against TB)
Projection: A game in Tampa Bay with the famous cow bells ringing will be the tenth man for the Rays in a game where they eliminate their rivals, the Red Sox. Pitching is key in the playoffs, and the Rays have it.
Winner: Tampa Bay
American League Divisional Series
#3 Detroit Tigers v #2 Oakland A’s
Game 1
Tigers Starting Pitcher: Max Scherzer 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA this season (0-0, 4.91 ERA this year in two starts against Oakland)
A’s Starting Pitcher: Bartolo Colon 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA this season (0-0, 3.00 ERA this year in two starts against Detroit)
Tigers X-Factor: Prince Fielder .279 AVG, .362 OBP, 25 HR, 106 RBI (.500 AVG, 3 HR, 8 RBI in 24 ABs this year against Oak)
A’s X-Factor: Josh Donaldson .301 AVG, .384 OBP, 24 HR, 93 RBI (.357 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI v Det this season in 28 at bats)
Projection: Miguel Cabrera will be Miguel Cabrera, but it will be on Prince Fielder to stop opposing pitchers from walking Cabrera. Fielder has had success in limited at bats against Colon. Oakland has been great at home, and with their ace on the mound, will get the job done.
Tigers 0-A’s 1
Game 2
Tigers Starting Pitcher: Justin Verlander 13-12 with a 3.46 ERA this season (1-1, 3.27 ERA this season against Oak)
A’s Starting Pitcher: Sonny Gray 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA this season (no starts v Det)
Tigers X-Factor: Torii Hunter .304 AVG, .334 OBP, 17 HR, 84 RBI (.462 AVG, 3 HR, 6 RBI this year against Oak)
A’s X-Factor: Yoenis Cespedes .240 AVG, .294 OBP, 26 HR, 80 RBI this year (.200, 0 HR, 3 RBI v Det this season)
Projection: 38-year-old Torii Hunter has worn out Oakland this year, and he will do the same in this game. Verlander is still one of the best pitchers in the MLB and will be able to shut down the A’s.
Tigers 1-A’s 1
Game 3
Tigers Starting Pitcher: Anibal Sanchez 14-8 with a 2.57 ERA this season (1-0, 3.75 ERA this year against Oak)
A’s Starting Pitcher: Jarrod Parker 12-8 with a 3.97 ERA this season (0-1, 21.60 ERA this year against Det in one start)
Tigers X-Factor: Austin Jackson .272 AVG, .337 OBP, 12 HR, 49 RBI this year (.290 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI this season v Oak in 31 ABs)
A’s X-Factor: Coco Crisp .261 AVG, 22 HR, 66 RBI this season (.286 AVG, 1 HR, 3 RBI this year against Det)
Projection: Sanchez has been great this year, and any team with Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder at home always has the advantage. Parker struggled mightily the first time these teams played. Detroit takes the advantage.
Tigers 2-A’s 1
Game 4
Tigers Starting Pitcher: Doug Fister 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA this season (0-1, 12.60 ERA against Oak this season)
A’s Starting Pitcher: Dan Straily 10-8 with a 3.96 ERA this season (1-0, 1.50 against Det this year)
Projection: Straily has been solid this year, and was even better against Detroit in his lone game against them. Although Fister has been good, the A’s will feel the pressure and send this to a decisive game 5.
Tigers 2-A’s 2
Game 5
Tigers Starting Pitcher: Max Scherzer
A’s Starting Pitcher: Bartolo Colon
Projection: In a rematch of game one of this series, Scherzer will show why he had 21 wins during the regular season. This will be a terrific game as Oakland will try to keep their season alive in front of their fans, but Detroit will be too much.
Winner: Detroit Tigers
