MLB Dream Bracket: Building the best lineup for the final four teams

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With the final two matchups of the MLB Dream Bracket set to kick off on May 1, we take a crack at building the best lineup for each remaining team.

Utilizing a baseball strategy game called ‘Out of the Park Baseball 21’, the MLB Dream Bracket started with 32 teams and is now down to the final four. The first of the two matchups, one for each league, is set to begin simulation on May 1, 2020, at 3 PM between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

One hour later, the National League teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers commence simulation. And thus, approximately 24 hours from now, we’ll know which two teams will face off for the title of the greatest “Dream Team” in MLB.

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This week, we’ve given you a preview and prediction for both matchups. You can find the AL matchup HERE and the NL matchup HERE.

Today, we’ll take each team’s predetermined lineup and shake it up in an effort to give each team its best chance to win. Then, just for fun, we’ll adjust our predictions.

To begin, let’s take a look at…

The Best Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup

While the Dodgers are one of the greatest teams in the history of baseball, of the four organizations vying for a sport in the final round, they have the lowest cumulative WAR (1094.8).

So, in order for them to have a legitimate shot, we’re going to have to build the best possible lineup. Picking from each player’s best season, here’s what we have:

C – Mike Piazza (1997) – 9.1 fWAR
1B – Pedro Guerrero (1985) – 7.8 fWAR
2B – Jackie Robinson (1949) – 9.6 fWAR
3B – Ron Cey (1975) – 6.6 fWAR
SS – Pee Wee Reese (1949) – 6.8 fWAR
LF – Matt Kemp (2011) – 8.3 fWAR
CF – Duke Snider (1953) – 8.8 fWAR
RF – Cody Bellinger (2019) – 7.8 fWAR
DH – Gary Sheffield (2003) – 7.3 fWAR

In essence, the predetermined lineup and my lineup only differ in four areas: catching, first base, left field, and DH. To give the Dodgers the best chance against the Reds, I have substituted Piazza circa 1997 for Roy Campanella, 1985 Guerrero for Gil Hodges, I placed 2011 Kemp in left, and then removed Steve Garvey for Sheffield at DH.

Unfortunately, the following players will have to remain on the bench: Maury Wills, Shawn Green, and Andre Ethier.

In all, this Dodger lineup, made up of the best individual seasons in team history, gives L.A. a cumulative 72.1 WAR score.

MLB Dream Bracket: The Final Four

The Best Cincinnati Reds Lineup

The Reds are set to face off against the Dodgers on May 1 at 4 PM and currently feature a lineup including the following players: Johnny Bench, Joey Votto, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Barry Larkin, George Foster, Eric Davis, Frank Robinson, Ted Kluszewski. On the bench, they have Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, Vada Pinson, Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce, and Ernie Lombardi.

In order to defeat the Dodger lineup I have created, we will restructure the Reds lineup by picking the best individual seasons for each player. Hopefully, we can combine nine players that have a total WAR score larger than 72.1.

Related Story. Dream Bracket: Who wins: Reds or Dodgers?. light

C – Bench (1972) – 9.2 fWAR
1B – Kluszewski (1954) – 7.4 fWAR
2B – Morgan (1975) – 11 fWAR
3B – Perez (1970) – 8.2 fWAR
SS – Larkin (1996) – 6.8 fWAR
LF – Foster (1977) – 8.9 fWAR
CF – Davis (1987) – 7.1 fWAR
RF – Rose (1976) – 7.4 fWAR
DH – Robinson (1962) – 8.2 fWAR

Fortunately, the Reds don’t have to see as many changes as the Dodgers did to their lineup, though some players will have to move in order for this to work. In all, Votto will have to ride the bench in favor of Perez who had a top 10 season in Reds history in 1970.

In all, this Reds lineup produces a cumulative WAR score of 74.2, which is 2.1 points higher than the Dodgers. My original prediction of the Reds winning stands, they will advance in the MLB Dream Bracket.

MLB Dream Bracket: The Final Four

The Best Boston Red Sox Lineup

It’s kind of funny how things work out sometimes. If not for the New York Yankees’ ability to deliver legends at almost every position, the Red Sox are hands down the best team in sports.

So, when it comes to (simulation) game time at 3 PM on May 1, Boston will have to produce the strongest possible lineup. Thankfully, we’re here to help and this is what we have:

C – Carlton Fisk (1977) – 7.6 fWAR
1B – Jimmie Foxx (1932) – 11.3 fWAR
2B – Dustin Pedroia (2011) – 7.9 fWAR
3B – Wade Boggs (1987) – 8.9 fWAR
SS – Nomar Garciaparra (2000) – 7.6 fWAR
LF – Ted Williams (1946) – 11.8 fWAR
CF – Mookie Betts (2018) – 10.4 fWAR
RF – Carl Yastrzemski (1967) – 11.1 fWAR
DH – Manny Ramirez (1999) – 7.5 fWAR

Related Story. MLB Dream Bracket: Who wins: Yankees or Red Sox?. light

In building this lineup, two players had to be promoted from the bench to the lineup: Manny Ramirez and Carl Yastrzemski. Unfortunately, two fan favorites in David Ortiz and Dwight Evans had to take a demotion.

In all, what we discover is that the American League is another stratosphere offensively when compared to the National League. In fact, this Red Sox lineup produces a cumulative WAR score of 84.1, which is 10 points higher than the Reds.

Is it enough to beat the Yankees? Let’s take a look.

(Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /

MLB Dream Bracket: The Final Four

The Best New York Yankees Lineup

It’s no secret that the Yankees are the best franchise, arguably, in the history of sports. Just think, in 55 playoff appearances, they have won a championship in close to half of them. In essence, they average a World Series championship every 4-years, which is just unthinkable.