Predicting the 2020 MLB Postseason and World Series
By Adam Cheek
The Divisional Winners
(1) Tampa Bay Rays vs. (4) Cleveland Indians
Tampa Bay’s pitching will drive their efforts against Cleveland’s hitting, with standouts like Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell set to face off against the likes of Ramirez and Francisco Lindor. The Rays’ divisional title and playoff momentum will be what sets them apart, though. Tampa Bay in four games.
(3) Minnesota Twins vs. (7) Chicago White Sox
As mentioned previously, Chicago dropped down the pecking order late in the season despite a stacked lineup, and Minnesota claimed the divisional title. Minnesota’s pitching consists primarily of Kenta Maeda and the ageless Rich Hill, with Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz and others providing run support, but Chicago’s momentum and depth will carry over from their matchup against the Athletics. Chicago in five games.
(1) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (4) San Diego Padres
This is the heavyweight matchup everyone’s waiting for in the playoffs. Los Angeles’ overall powerhouse against the hitting-driven San Diego machine will be a sight to behold, and expect high-scoring, extra-inning marathons that extend deep into the night. Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger will go head-to-head with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado as the teams try to outduel each other at the plate, but San Diego did drop half of their final 10 games.
The feel-good story ends just short of a championship series berth. Los Angeles in five games.
(2) Atlanta Braves vs. (3) Chicago Cubs
While the Cubs’ season-ending crosstown series against the White Sox worked out pretty well for the North Siders, facing the power-hitting Braves in the second round is another animal entirely. Both teams recorded similar records at home, away, and overall, and the series is bound to be an exciting one – for the Cubs, Ian Happ and Yu Darvish have come into their own on the mound and Kyle Hendricks is as strong as ever on the hill – and don’t forget Alec Mills, who threw a no-hitter in September. The Braves, though, carry their division-winning efforts through to the championship series. Atlanta in five games.