You’ve seen my predictions on the MLB postseason so how about a little expansion on the picks I’ve made with bringing in Jerry Durney and Joe Tichy. The three of us have made our predictions so here we go, buckle up and enjoy!
American League Wildcard Game – Baltimore Orioles @ Texas Rangers
Mike – Rangers, I don’t know why I’m going with Texas but they are pretty tough in Arlington especially with Yu on the mound.
Jerry – Orioles, Not going against Oriole Magic here.
Joe – Rangers, Too much firepower in that lineup and there’s a reason the Rangers have been to the World Series two years in a row. Experience trumps youth…and I worked in their farm system, so I feel guilty not picking them.
Final Say: Joe and I like the Rangers with Jerry taking the O’s
National League Wildcard Game – St. Louis Cardinals @ Atlanta Braves
MV – Braves, Friends know that I don’t care for either team but since I have to pick Atlanta is the better of the two here.
JD – Braves, I just can’t trust Kyle Lohse in a big game.
JT – Cardinals, Cardinals win a low scoring affair. Mr. Freese once again comes through in the postseason.
Final Say: Jerry and myself take the Bravos with Joe picking the champs
AL Division Series – Wildcard Winner v. New York Yankees
MV – Rangers in Four, Who torments the Yankees more than anyone in the postseason? Lately it’s been Texas who will host games one and two before the series goes to the Bronx.
JD – Yankees in Four, The O’s have played the Yankees tough all year but the Yankee bats will be too much.
JT – Rangers in Five, Again, the Rangers are a very talented and deep organization who fell victim to the A’s getting hot at the right time. Yankees don’t have the bullpen or the arms in general to polish off this team in a seven game series.
Final Say: Jerry probably hates himself for taking the Yanks while Joe and I pick the Rangers
AL Division Series – Detroit Tigers v. Oakland Athletics
MV – Tigers in Three, Detroit is hot right now even if Oakland is the hottest team in baseball. I’d be happy to be wrong but the Tigers have the experience the A’s lack.
JD – Tigers in Three, Oakland’s a great story but the Tigers have a better 1-2 punch at the top and here’s Miguel Cabrera’s numbers in 7 games against the A’s this year: .483/.515/1.377, 5 XBH, 14 RBI. Yikes.
JT – Tigers in Four, King Miguel and Prince Fielder present one of the most potent 1-2 punches in baseball. And Verlander is Verlander. Oakland hasn’t smelled the postseason in a few years and I don’t think they have what it takes to make a legitimate postseason run.
Finals Say: Finally something the group agrees on, clean sweep for Detroit
NL Division Series – Wildcard Winner v. Washington Nationals
MV – Nationals in Five, I expect a knockout dragout affair between these two NL East foes. Davey Johnson has been here Freddy Gonzalez hasn’t plus I expect to see Mr. Shutdown for the season.
JD – Braves in Five, Wouldn’t matter if Strasburg was here, I still feel like the Nationals are a year ahead of schedule.
JT – Nationals in Five, I think this series will resemble a passing of the torch in a way. The perennial contenders in the Cardinals will be passing along the torch to the Washington Nationals, who are going to be a legitimate threat for the next 3-5 years. Gio and crew will roll over the Redbirds.
Final Say: Joe and I go National while Jerry sticks with Hotlanta
NL Division Series – Cincinnati Reds v. San Francisco Giants
MV – Giants in Four, Cincinnati has had a good season but I’ve got my doubts plus San Francisco has the better staff and knows how to win in October.
JD – Giants in Five, The Reds will put up a better playoff fight than they did in 2010 but the Giants have (in my mind) the MVP (Buster Posey) and the better pitching staff.
JT – Reds in Four, Lincecum collapsed and the Giants just aren’t the same without Brian Wilson closing. Sergio Romo did a fantastic job late in games, but Cueto and Chapman put up video game numbers this season and will continue to do so against an average San Francisco lineup.
Final Say: Joe is alone in picking Cincy with myself plus Jerry going Giants
AL Championship Series –
MV – Tigers over Rangers in Five, Revenge for Detroit? Sure why not plus I don’t know how much Texas will have in the tank after a Wildcard/series win over New York.
JD – Tigers over Yankees in Six, The Tigers have had the Yankees number the last few years and once again, I trust the Tigers pitching more than the Bombers.
JT – Tigers over Rangers in Seven, Both teams match up well, but the Tigers bats seem to be lively against whatever pitcher is put in front of them. Offense heavy series with the edge going to the boys from the Motor City.
Final Say: Sweep in picking Detroit
NL Championship Series –
MV – Nationals over Giants in Six, During the regular season Washington owned the Giants. Sure I pegged SF to make the World Series before the season I’m going back on that.
JD – Giants over Braves in Six, This Giants squad does have a lot of 2010 in them with an upgraded lineup thanks to Hunter Pence, Angel Pagan and a rejuvenated Pablo Sandoval.
JT – Reds over Nationals in Seven, Reds outlast the Nats. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce show the youth brigade how it’s done.
Final Say: Ask three people and get three different responses, I pick Washington, Jerry San Francisco and Joe Cincinnati
2012 World Series –
MV – Tigers over Nationals in Five, Triple Crown winners have a history of making the World Series in seasons they win. Washington is a great story but I see Detroit channeling their innermost St. Louis Squirrels from last season. Plus I picked Detroit in the preseason.
JD – Giants over Tigers in Six, I picked the Giants before the season and I’m sticking with them in October!
JT – Reds over Tigers in Six, Cincy does it with Dusty. An erratic closer like Valverde can get you far, but will not get you that ultimate prize. Cabrera and Fielder will get brought back down to earth.
Final Say: Again, we each picked different winners Jerry and I stick with preseason picks while Joe goes with the Reds
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