The exciting culmination of Major League Baseball’s regular season ended with the National League Central and National League West divisions both playing tie-breaking games to determine postseason seeding.
The Brewers took the Cubs in the NL Central’s tie-breaker,and the Dodgers won out over the Rockies in the NL West’s tie-breaker. On October 2nd,the Brewers and Dodgers advanced to the Division Series, while the Cubs and Rockies moved onto the Wild Card Game. We’ve gathered a few predictions from the experts at Sports Illustrated to get you excited for the series games to come.
Come out to Greeley Avenue Bar to watch the 2018 World Series!
Sports writer Tom Verducci is looking to Milwaukee to take it all. He points out that their winning streak (eight in a row) is based on the best defensive team in the league is based on a trifecta of “power and athleticism, a balance of position players to combat matchup bullpens, and a deep bullpen with swing-and-miss stuff.” He predicts that Christian Yelich will be the World Series MVP and declares that the Brewers are clearly adept at the “modern game” of rotating starting pitchers twice around the lineup, and then keeping the ball out of play with a parade of relievers.
Air Force Falcons shortstop K.J. Randhawa stops a ground ball and readies to throw to first. Air Force lost its season-ender to New Mexico, 19-6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
Emma Baccellieri of Sports Illustrated is banking on the Yankees over the Dodgers. While Baccellieri cites the Yankees’ lacked the ability to take the American League East, their “superior bullpen gives them a shot to beat the Red Sox in the ALDS, and from there, they have everything necessary to go all the way.” With their deep roster, the Yankees can outslug anyone, and their relief corps led strikeouts across the league. Injuries slowed them down in the second half of the regular season, but they’re now at just about full strength, giving them a chance to take their 28th World Series title.
Cardinals at Orioles 8/8/14
Sports writer Stephanie Apstein is calling the Dodgers over the Indians. She sites the unusual year had by the Dodgers. They weren’t a sure thing until the last week of the season but, according to Apstein, their chances are good considering their roster includes many of the same great players on last year’s team, making it a possibility that they could pull off this year what they were unable to do last year. Apstein sited, “No one can match the upside of the Dodgers’ top two starters, Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, and if closer Kanley Jansen can steady the bullpen, the offense should be able to do enough.”
A replay of the 2017 World Series is in play according to Jon Taylor of Sports Illustrated. He’s predicting the Astros will come out on top over the Brewers. This is based on the fact that the Astros have been playing just as well as they did during last year’s regular season. “Houston’s Pythagorean record—based off runs scored and run allowed—was 109–53, with a staggering run differential of +265.” In addition to that, their lineup is formidable and the rotation is better than most teams. Taylor goes so far as to predict a “dynasty in the making.”
Join us at Greeley Avenue Bar & Grill, North Portland’s favorite sports bar, for the 2018 World Series!
