Predicting the 2020 MLB Postseason and World Series
By Adam Cheek
The League Championship Series
(1) Tampa Bay Rays vs. (7) Chicago White Sox
The home-run-hitting lineup of Chicago’s South Side will face off against the dominant pitching of Tampa Bay for a berth in the World Series, but the White Sox continue their underdog momentum. Dallas Keuchel’s ERA sits a tick below 2.00, many of the White Sox’ batters rank among the league leaders in respective categories and the team is bound to regroup in time for a World Series push.
Tampa Bay topped the American League in wins and overall performance, but Chicago’s depth is what will help the White Sox push through. Chicago in six games.
(1) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (2) Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles recorded similar records both home and away (less than 10 losses in both categories) and dominated the MLB as a unit. The Braves, though, have a number of players ranking in league-leading categories and match up well against Los Angeles – I had a lot of confidence in the way Atlanta looked early on.
The Dodgers have made the playoffs every year since 2013, advanced to the World Series twice, and 2020 could very well be the year that they put a title-winning run together and Mookie Betts was simply the missing piece of that team. However, I just don’t trust the Dodgers in crunch time.
Atlanta will get hot right out of the playoff gate, and their lineup is bound to find their stride – while they’ll get through the first two rounds, it’s the NLCS where the order will finally gel. The power of Adam Duvall, Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr., the infield prowess of Dansby Swanson and more – including my dark horse, a hidden clutch hitter in Nick Markakis – will all get the job done for Atlanta. Atlanta in seven games.