MLB: An updated prediction of the 2017 playoff picture
By Anthony Sosa
Wild Card Teams
With the Astros, Indians and Red Sox winning their respective divisions in the AL and the Nationals, Rockies and Cardinals taking their individual divisions in the NL, which teams end up taking the Wild Card spots?
AL:
Two offensive powered teams make the AL Wild Card game in 2017. The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers battle for a spot in the ALDS.
Despite the Yankees’ youth keeping them from winning the AL East, I think they still have the strength to take the Wild Card. To do that, though, they need their rotation to step up. They also need Aaron Judge to keep hitting like he is now.
As for the Rangers, I can’t see that offense not making the playoffs, somehow. If they do make the postseason, watch out.
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NL:
On the NL side of things, the Chicago Cubs make the playoffs again in 2017 but face a tougher route through the Wild Card. They’ll take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Wild Card game.
In what was a battle to move onto the World Series in 2016, now becomes a battle of who advances to the NLDS. Kershaw versus Jon Lester in a win-or-go-home game creates a great storyline to start the MLB postseason.