MLB postseason predictions, from Wild Card to World Series
By Kevin Henry
ST. LOUIS — The first round of the postseason begins today, and we’re in St. Louis to cover the Cardinals taking on the Philadelphia Phillies. With the playoffs just hours away, it’s time to unveil our MLB postseason predictions.
From the Wild Card to the World Series, here are our MLB postseason predictions
I joined my fellow Call to the Pen co-expert David Hill to make our MLB postseason predictions. We didn’t see eye to eye on every matchup, so let us know what you think about our picks in the comments section below.
National League Wild Card — Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals predictions
Kevin: Cardinals win 2-1
Philadelphia could steal this series, but St. Louis has too many MVP candidates to let that happen in front of their home fans. Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina aren’t ending their careers with a one-and-done postseason appearance.
Dave: Cardinals win 2-0
The Phillies were 7-13 over their final 20 games in the regular season, backing into the playoffs just because the Brewers gutted their bullpen at the deadline. With the Cardinals looking to give Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols another taste of postseason glory, this series could be a bloodbath.
National League Wild Card — San Diego Padres at New York Mets predictions
Kevin: Mets win 2-0
How will the Mets respond to being swept by Atlanta and forced to play in the Wild Card round. They’ll come out like a team possessed, making sure it’s a long flight home for the Padres.
Dave: Padres win 2-1
This feels like the series that is most likely to be an upset. Buck Showalter has not exactly had much postseason success in his career and the Mets are coming off of the surprise of losing the NL East in the final days. Meanwhile, the Padres have a dangerous roster and have yet to click. That might happen in the postseason now that the games mean something.
American League Wild Card — Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays predictions
Kevin: Blue Jays win 2-1
Seattle has been one of the best stories of this season, but Toronto has too much firepower. Seattle is also dealing with injuries at the wrong time.
Dave: Blue Jays win 2-1
If there is a team that is happy to be here, it is the Mariners. That 21 year playoff drought is over. The future is bright in Seattle, but a young team without much postseason experience and injury concerns is just not ready yet.
American League Wild Card — Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians predictions
Kevin: Guardians win 2-0
Like Seattle, Cleveland has been one of baseball’s most intriguing teams this season. The Rays certainly have the postseason experience and have been battle-tested through the AL East schedule, but the Guardians are really, really good. They’ll show it against Tampa Bay.
Dave: Guardians win 2-1
The Guardians are firing on all cylinders and getting hot at the right time. Interestingly enough, that is usually the Rays’ modus operandi heading into the postseason. The Rays are still a dangerous team, especially with Playoff Randy Arozarena, but the Guardians are just playing better.