Now that the Pirates and Rays have won the Wild Card Games, our Division Series matchups are set. Two of the Division Series are actual division series, as the AL East rival Red Sox and Rays face each other, as do NL Central foes St. Louis and Pittsburgh. There's also a Tigers-A's rematch. But the marquee series of the four has got to be Braves-Dodgers. And I have to say, of these eight teams, there's probably five that have a realistic chance of hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy at the end of the month.
For most of the year, the one thing I constantly said about the National League was that the playoffs were sure going to be fun. That's because we knew the NL playoff teams so early, and there isn't really that much of a difference between them. It might take the full 17 games to determine the pennant, and any one of the four could come away with it. I'm not saying that to be wishy-washy or non-committal. I'm saying that because it's 100 percent true. The National League playoff teams are so evenly matched that these three series should be plenty entertaining.
Cardinals vs. Pirates: Let's start with everyone's adopted favorite team--the Pirates. Pittsburgh's such a feel-good story, and you don't want to see this run end. And matching up with the division-rival Cardinals was probably the best possible scenario for it to continue. The Pirates and Cardinals are incredibly familiar with each other, which helps both teams. Both teams come in hot, but Pittsburgh might have a little bit of an advantage in that they've won four in a row, including Tuesday's wild card game, while St. Louis has been off since Sunday. That's one of the biggest pitfalls with the new system. Will all that time off cool down the Cardinals? If Allen Craig can't play, that's another problem St. Louis might have to overcome. The Pirates, meanwhile, are healthy. And on a roll. I also think Pittsburgh has a slight edge on the mound, although St. Louis does have the luxury of potentially using Adam Wainwright twice if the series goes the distance. Ultimately, I think the Cardinals' playoff experience will be the X-factor. During their runs over the last two years, St. Louis always had unsung heroes step up. They have plenty of candidates to fill that role again. However, this is also the first time since 2009 that St. Louis won the NL Central. That comes with a different kind of pressure they didn't feel as a wild card the last two Octobers. St. Louis does have just enough to survive, though, ruining America's favorite story. Cardinals in four.
Braves vs. Dodgers: SPOILER ALERT! The Dodgers are my pick to win the NL pennant. I don't really think I'm giving too much away there, though. I've been saying that all year, especially since LA woke up at the end of June. They're the most complete team in the National League, even without Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. The main reason why I'm so high on the Dodgers is that incredible pitching staff. Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in the National League. He's going to pitch twice. That means the Braves either have to beat him at least once or win every game he doesn't pitch. Pitching in those games, though, will be Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Ricky Nolasco. Easily the deepest rotation among the four teams. That's how the Giants won the title last year. That doesn't mean the Braves can't win, though. I'm really high on Atlanta's team. I just fear the Braves peaked too soon. They should've clinched home field going away, yet ended up with the incredibly unfavorable Dodgers matchup. Their hitters are very streaky and tend to strike out a lot. Against Dodgers pitching, that's a bad combination. Atlanta's rotation might have to carry the load, which they're definitely capable of doing. I expect a lot of 1-0 and 2-1 games in this series. However, the Dodgers are a better team than the Braves right now. That's why I think LA's run doesn't end here. Dodgers in four.
Red Sox vs. Rays: If anybody was stupid enough to count Tampa Bay out at any point during the last week, they clearly don't know the Rays. This team seems to thrive on pressure. And three elimination game wins later, this crazy road trip makes its fourth stop of the week in Boston. I'm also willing to guarantee that of the three opponents they'd potentially face, the Rays were the one the Red Sox least wanted to see. Playing them 19 times a year is bad enough. Now they've got to face them in a best-of-five elimination series. They should just ask the division rival Yankees and Orioles how fun that is. Boston is the better team and has been all season. But the Red Sox are also a team of mashers. When they get on one of those runs when everybody's hitting, they're very hard to stop. However, you've got to think the almost full week off could possibly have cooled those bats down, while the Rays have been doing it everywhere against everybody all week. Pitching-wise, it's a wash. Boston had the luxury of setting up its rotation with Lester and Buchholz in Games 1 and 2, but Tampa Bay isn't at that much of a disadvantage in the pitching department. The Rays are able to stay in rotation and use Matt Moore, David Price and Alex Cobb all on normal rest in the first three games. And, despite Boston's 12-7 edge in the season series this year, the Rays always play the Red Sox tough. This series is going to be a tight, back-and-forth affair. And you've got to think that the Red Sox want nothing to do with a Game 5, even if it is in Fenway Park. Not with the way Tampa Bay has played in all these elimination games, all on the road, over the past week. Boston should be on alert. That offense will be enough to pull through, though. Red Sox in five.
Athletics vs. Tigers: Remember last year when A's-Tigers went five? Well, it's time for the rematch. On paper, the Tigers should win this series easily. But that was the case last year, too, before Detroit got stretched to the limit. Each team is slightly better in 2013. The A's have a legitimate ace in Bartolo Colon and Justin Verlander isn't even Detroit's best pitcher this season. That honor goes to 21-3 Max Scherzer, who's been tabbed for the Games 1 & 5 starts. Then in Games 3 & 4, Oakland will have to deal with AL ERA leader Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister, who's the best No. 4 starter in the game after Nolasco. And have I mentioned Detroit has Miguel Cabrera? Miggy's been hampered and basically unable to move for the past month, but is still an incredibly imposing presence. Throw in Victor Martinez, who missed all of last year with an injury, and the ever-consistent Prince Fielder and a rejuvenated Torii Hunter. The Tigers are so deep offensively that they've got Jhonny Peralta playing left field now. Oakland's a scrappy bunch that I'll never count out. I've learned better. Even though nobody's ever heard of half the players on the roster, the A's have won back-to-back AL West titles and finished with the second-best record in baseball this season. However, Detroit's talent is superior, and better teams prove it in October. I'll give the A's a game, and it wouldn't be a total stretch to say it'll go five, but the Tigers are too good. Tigers in four.
I'll even give you my World Series prediction, which I've been saying would be the matchup since about the All-Star Break. Tigers vs. Dodgers. (Yes, it's scary that I agree with Jayson Stark.) And, if you recall from my baseball season preview back in March, I said Detroit would avenge last year's World Series loss. No reason to change that pick now. The Tigers beat the Dodgers in the World Series.
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