After the American League kicked off the fun in the 2020 MLB Playoffs, now it's time for the National League to get in on the action.
The action is going to be fast and furious around baseball. After trying to get a handle on the four series around the American League yesterday, now we take a stab at predicting the four series in the National League.
Cincinnati Reds v. Atlanta Braves
It's a shame we couldn't get a longer series between the Reds and Braves. Cincinnati has one of the best pitching rotations in baseball, while Atlanta has one of the strongest lineups. The Reds will look to Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo, and Sonny Gray to lead them to an upset of the NL East champion Atlanta Braves.
The best pitcher in the National League this year has been Trevor Bauer, who struck out 100 batters this year and posted a microscopic 1.73 ERA. Castillo struggled early in the season, but turned things around in September, as he was nearly unhittable in the final month of the regular season. If Sonny Gray is healthy after missing his last couple starts of the season, the Reds could be a sleeper in the National League.
On short rest, @BauerOutage made his case for NL Cy Young. 🔥 (MLB x @NikeDiamond) https://t.co/EDtt7OzZMo— MLB (@MLB) 1600911938.0
Of course Cincinnati will need a little offense to help out their pitching staff. Joey Votto, Nick Castellanos, and Eugenio Suarez can all provide power at the plate. The question is can they do it consistently? More heroics are going to needed from new second baseman Mike Moustakas, who hit six home runs in September.
There might not be a lineup in the National League that is feared more than that of the Atlanta Braves. Marcell Ozuna and Freddie Freeman combined to hit 31 homers and drive in 109 runs this year. Dansby Swanson started to live up to the hype that came with being the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. All that and we still haven't even mentioned Ronald Acuna Jr., who struggled this year but still hit 14 homers.
The biggest concern for the Braves is going to be pitching. Max Fried emerged as the ace of the staff this year, posting a 7-0 record. The rest of the rotation is a question mark. Ian Anderson only has six career starts, while Kyle Wright was just 2-4 with a 5.21 ERA. The Braves lost Mike Soroka and Cole Hamels for the year because of injuries, or else the rotation wouldn't be a cause for concern for Atlanta.
I wonder how much energy the Reds used just trying to make the playoffs. Now Cincinnati has to hit the road and take on one of the best teams in baseball. The Reds have the pitching to win this series, I'm just not sure they can outhit the Braves in Atlanta. Bauer wins the first game for Cincinnati before Atlanta rallies to win the next two games to move on to the next round of the playoffs. Atlanta in 3 games.
Miami Marlins v. Chicago Cubs
Imagine how insane you would have thought someone was if they told you before the season that the Miami Marlins would make the playoffs this year. Even with expanded playoffs, the Marlins were coming off a 2019 season in which they lost 105 games. Miami now joins the 2017 Minnesota Twins as the only teams in baseball history to make the playoffs a year after losing at least 100 games. Don Mattingly deserves consideration for NL Manager of the year after what he has done with this Marlins team.
The key to Miami's offense is Brian Anderson. The third baseman led the team with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs this year. Jesus Aguilar adds a bit of pop to the lineup to compliment Anderson, while shortstop Miguel Rojas hit .304 this season.
Pitching is what helped earn Miami a playoff spot this year. Pablo Lopez, Sandy Alcantara, and Sixto Sanchez did a lot of the heavy lifting at the top of the rotation, while Brad Boxberger and Brandon Kintzler were on the money in relief when they were handed the game. Boxberger finished the season with six holds, while Kintzler secured 12 saves.
Miami Marlins clinch first playoff berth since 2003 on anniversary of Jose Fernandez's death https://t.co/AhLaAlv2G2— CBS Sports MLB (@CBS Sports MLB) 1601091894.0
A team a little more familiar with the playoffs of late has been the Chicago Cubs, who won the World Series in 2016. The Cubs won the NL Central despite some struggles from Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Kyle Schwarber. Baez and Bryant both barely hit over .200 this season, while Schwarber finished the regular season with a .188 batting average. Even with their struggles, the Cubs lineup is still dangerous, especially when you add in Anthony Rizzo, Ian Happ, and Willson Contreras.
Pitching is where the Cubs created a lot of their success this year. Yu Darvish had a bounce-back year, going 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA and 93 strikeouts. Kyle Hendricks will take the ball in the first game of the series against the Marlins. Alec Mills threw a no-hitter a few ago against the Milwaukee Brewers. Jon Lester doesn't have the same stuff as he used to, but he gives the rotation some veteran grit.
Miami is perfect when they make the playoffs. The Marlins have won the World Series in each of their two previous playoff appearances. The streak ends this year, as the Cubs get some revenge for Steve Bartman. Chicago in 2 games.
St. Louis Cardinals v. San Diego Padres
What a contrast in styles between St. Louis and San Diego. Smallball taking on the power game of the Padres. The Cardinals finished last in baseball this year with just 51 home runs, while the Padres mashed 95 taters. Paul Goldschmidt did his best to jumpstart the offense of the Cardinals this year with a .304 batting average. Brad Miller hit a team-high seven homers.
The Cardinals will have to hope their pitching can hold up to give them a shot at knocking off the Padres. Kwang-Hyun Kim gets the ball in Game 1 after going 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA in his MLB season after spending the last 12 years with SK Wyverns in the KBO. The ageless Adam Wainwright will follow Kim, and if the series goes to a deciding third game, Jack Flaherty will hope to redeem himself after a season that saw his ERA balloon to 4.91.
FERNANDO TATIS JR. WITH A 600 FOOT MOON BOMB https://t.co/6OV5RGNcOu— Jared Carrabis (@Jared Carrabis) 1601089665.0
San Diego knew they were building for the future, I just don't think they were prepared for the future to be now. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have formed one of the most feared duos in baseball, combining for 33 homers and driving in 92 runs this year. Along with Tatis and Machado, Trent Grisham hit 10 homers and swiped 10 bases. Wil Myers had a resurgence, hitting over .253 for the first time since 2013, when he was the AL Rookie of the year. All that and we haven't even mentioned Eric Hosmer.
The Padres might have better odds in the playoffs if the status of pitchers Dinelson Lamet and Mike Clevinger was known. Clevinger and Lamet are both dealing with arm injuries and they might not be able to pitch against the Cardinals. Clevinger was acquired from the Cleveland Indians prior to the trade deadline, while Lamet struck out 93 batters and posted a 2.09 ERA. Zach Davies will get the nod in the series opener, and we could see Chris Paddack and Garrett Richards if Lamet and Clevinger can't pitch.
The Cardinals have the experience but I don't see how they are going to keep up with the Padres here. Tatis, Machado, and the rest of the offense of the Padres will be too much for St. Louis to handle. San Diego in 2 games.
Milwaukee Brewers v. Los Angeles Dodgers
This series has the possibility of getting very ugly, very fast. The Brewers snuck into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season with a 29-31 record. Their prize? They get to take on a Dodgers team whose 43-17 record was the best in baseball this year. Just two years removed from winning the NL MVP, Christian Yelich looked like anything but that this year, hitting just .205 and driving in 22 runs in 58 games this year. Aside from Yelich and Keston Hiura, and an aging Ryan Braun, there isn't much to the Milwaukee offense.
The pitching for the Brewers isn't much better. Brandon Woodruff pitched like an ace this year, striking out 91 in 73.2 innings. Milwaukee suffered a big blow when Corbin Burnes suffered an oblique injury and won't be available for this series. The Brewers have a good bullpen with Devin Williams and Josh Hader, but Milwaukee not have a chance to put them in position to try and close out a game against the Dodgers.
We’ve got more work to do but tonight, we celebrate. https://t.co/YQoL1pDgYy— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Los Angeles Dodgers) 1600839971.0
If the Dodgers can't win it all this year, it's hard to see them winning a World Series anytime soon. Los Angeles has a perfect mix of hitting and pitching. The Dodgers have been so close to winning a title before, it feels like this is the year they exercise those demons. The pitching staff hasn't been overworked this year, which should allow guys like Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler to pitch deeper into games, if needed. Even if the starters can't go more than five or six innings, Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen, Jake McGee, and others can pick up the slack from the bullpen.
The acquisition of Mookie Betts could be what pushes the Dodgers over the top and finally gets them a title. Betts has led the offense, which is seeing Cody Bellinger improve at the plate as the year moves along. Justin Turner missed some time due to injury this season, but his return makes a dangerous offense even better. Don't forget about Corey Seager, who is putting together his best season since 2016.
Anything can happen in a three-game playoff series, but if Milwaukee eliminates the Dodgers, it will be one of the biggest upsets in baseball history. Los Angeles is better at pretty much every position. I'd be shocked if this even goes to a third game. Los Angeles in 2 games.
The 2020 MLB playoffs are set to kick off on Tuesday, and there's no question they'll be unlike any other baseball postseason we have ever seen before.
After allowing five teams from each league into the playoffs since 2012, MLB added three more teams to the postseason from each league this year. Now instead of the three division winners and two wild card teams making the playoffs, the first and second place teams from each division will make the playoffs, along with two wild card teams. It remains to be seen if the playoff expansion will remain in place next season, but it sure did add plenty of excitement to the shortened baseball regular season.
Houston Astros v. Minnesota Twins
The start of the 2020 MLB playoffs will see the defending American League champions heading to Minneapolis to take on the AL Central champions. The Astros were rocked by a cheating scandal during the offseason, which put a damper on their season even before it began. Then a season-ending injury to ace Justin Verlander left the Astros scrambling to fill out their rotation, which was already depleted by the loss of Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees in free agency. Zack Greinke has the name recognition at the top of Houston's pitching staff, but Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier have filled some of the void after Greinke in the rotation.
The Houston lineup has been just as much of a work-in-progress as the pitching staff. Michael Brantley, Kyle Tucker. and George Springer have done most of the heavy lifting throughout the season while Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman combined for just 16 home runs and 65 RBIs this year.
Minnesota has to be elated to not be playing the New York Yankees in the playoffs, for once. Prior to this year's playoffs, the Twins had met the Yankees in their four previous playoff appearances, failing to win a game against New York during that span. Minnesota had one of the most potent offenses in baseball, with four players mashing at least 13 home runs this year. Nelson Cruz was the leader of the Twins offense, clubbing 16 homers, while Eddie Rosario drove in a team-high 42 runs this year.
The pitching staff of the Twins has a tremendous mixture of young talent and veteran experience. Kenta Maeda came to Minnesota from the Los Angeles Dodgers, putting together a 6-1 season where he struck out 80 batters in 66.2 innings pitched. Jose Berrios takes the ball after Maeda, and when Berrios is on, he is one of the best pitchers in the game. Michael Pineda was good in limited action this year, and we will likely see Randy Dobnak as some point in this series, as the rookie was 6-4 in his first season in the majors.
Something has been off with the Astros this year. A lot of it has to do with the cheating scandal and some of the repercussions that has come out of it, but Houston isn't as feared as they were the last few years. Minnesota was 24-7 at home this year so the Astros will have to be perfect to upset the Twins. I'm not seeing it happening. The Twins makes the most of not having to play the Yankees to start the playoffs. Minnesota in 2 games.
Chicago White Sox v. Oakland Athletics
This matchup pits power against small ball. The Chicago White Sox clinched their first playoff spot since 2008, using a lineup that ranked third in baseball with 96 home runs. First baseman Jose Abreu inserted himself in the AL MVP race by crushing 19 homers and driving in 60 runs this year. Abreu's 148 total bases led the White Sox this year. Four other Chicago players hit at least 10 home runs during the season.
Along with the potent offense, Chicago also has two of the best pitchers in the game. Lucas Giolito is the ace of the White Sox. Giolito not only threw the first no-hitter in baseball this year, but he struck out 97 batters in 72.1 innings. Complimenting Giolito is Dallas Keuchel, who signed with the White Sox after spending last year with the Atlanta Braves. Keuchel might not have the power of Giolito, but he is just as tough to get a handle on, as he posted a 1.99 ERA this year.
Oakland cruised to the AL West crown this year, finishing the regular season seven games ahead of the Houston Astros. The Athletics come into the playoffs with a little bit of doubt, though. Oakland took a hit earlier this month when it was announced that third baseman Matt Chapman would miss the remainder of the season due to hip surgery, leaving a giant hole at the hot corner for the Athletics. Another Matt has been trying to pick up the slack, as Matt Olson hit a team-high 14 home runs this year, but the first baseman wasn't consistent at the plate, hitting just .195. As a team, Oakland had the fifth-worst batting average in baseball, hitting .225 this season.
The best pitcher for Oakland this year has been Chris Bassitt, who is 5-2 with a 2.29 ERA. Things get a little complicated after Bassitt. Mike Fiers has playoff experience, but hasn't been consistent this year. Jesus Luzardo is the wild card of the pitching staff. The rookie pitcher has electric stuff, but is he ready for the spotlight that comes with the playoffs?
The White Sox struggled down the stretch, losing 9 of their last 12 games. Even with those struggles, it's going to be tough for Oakland to beat both Giolito and Keuchel. The teams split the first two games, and the White Sox have a little too much power for Oakland to handle in the elimination game. Chicago in 3 games.
Toronto Blue Jays v. Tampa Bay Rays
What a wild season it has been for the Toronto Blue Jas. First, the Blue Jays found out they couldn't play in Toronto this year, forcing the Blue Jays to play their home games in Buffalo. Toronto also had to deal with the future of their franchise going through a bit of a sophomore slump. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit .262 with 9 home runs and 33 RBIs this year, but the son of former star Vladimir Guerrero had bigger expectations for this season.
At least the Blue Jays did get Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio to pick up some of the slack. Bo Bichette hit .301 in 29 games this year, while Biggio clocked 16 doubles this year. Even with what Bichette and Biggio were able to do, who would've though Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez would be the ones leading the Toronto offense? Gurriel hit .308, while Hernandez led the team with 16 home runs.
On the mound, Toronto has Hyun-Jin Ryu and a lot of questions after. Ryu was 5-2 with 72 strikeouts this year, his first season with the club after leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers during free agency. The Blue Jays haven't found anyone to step up in the rotation after Ryu. Tanner Roark and Chase Anderson have both posted ERAs north of 6.75 during the regular season.
Tampa Bay is almost the polar opposite of Toronto. All pitching and a little bit of hitting. Brandon Lowe provided the ower for the Rays, hitting 14 home runs this year, but he was the only Tampa Bay batter to reach double digits in home runs. Willy Adames, Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, and Hunter Renfroe provided some pop during the regular season, but it remains to be seen if they can provide enough when the pressure is turned up in the playoffs.
It's hard to find a better three-man rotation in baseball than what Tampa Bay has to offer. Tyler Glasnow is a strikeout machine, Blake Snell is a former Cy Young Award winner, and Charlie Morton is a veteran who has postseason experience. The Blue Jays might be able to steal a game in this series, but it's hard to see them beating the American League's top-seed twice in a three-game series. Tampa Bay in 3 games.
New York Yankees v. Cleveland Indians
The New York Yankees had higher expectations for this season, but injuries again threw a wrench into the plans of the Yankees. Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Gleyber Torres all missed time due to injuries this year, while on the mound James Paxton won't be available for this series, and might be lost for the rest of the postseason. Even with the injuries, the Yankees are still a dangerous team.
DJ LeMahieu could make a case for the AL MVP award, as without LeMahieu's presence in the lineup, New York might have not made the playoffs this year. LeMahieu hit .364 this year, and amassed 115 total bases, which ranked second on the Yankees behind Luke Voit, who has been just as important as LeMahieu. Voit crushed a league-leading 22 homers this year. With Judge and Stanton back healthy, their lineup is one of the most feared in baseball.
If the Yankees could, they'd probably start Gerrit Cole in every game of this series. Cole has been phenomenal in his first season in pinstripes, going 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA and 94 strikeouts. Masahiro Tanaka has been his usual steady self during the regular season, and he always seems to perform even better in the playoffs. If the Yankees can get a lead late in the game, they do have the luxury of turning to Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman.
While DJ LeMahieu has a case for the AL MVP, there award is likely going to Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez, who played out of his mind this year. Ramirez smacked 17 homers, drove in 46 runs, and swiped 10 bases. Had it not been for Ramirez, Cleveland likely would be on the outside looking in at the playoffs right now. If Cleveland wants to make a deep run in the playoffs, Ramirez is going to need some help, though. A prime candidate to provide some support to Ramirez is Francisco Lindor, who could set the table for a big contract splash in 2022 with a strong postseason this year.
Much like the Yankees, Cleveland has a stud at starting pitcher, followed by a solid starter. Shane Bieber is likely your AL Cy Young winner after going 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 122 strikeouts this year. After Bieber, Carlos Carrasco is one of the strongest second-starting options in baseball. Zach Plesac rounds out a rotation that took a hit earlier this year when the Indians traded Mike Clevinger to the San Diego Padres. Brad Hand and James Karinchak give Cleveland a strong back-end of the bullpen, much like you see from the Yankees.
This series is going to depend on who can take the first game of the series. Shane Bieber has been amazing for Cleveland this year, but is he ready for the bright lights of the playoffs? We know Gerrit Cole is ready. The Yankees get to Bieber in the first game, and the Indians win the next game to setup an elimination game which the Yankees squeak out to move on to the next round. New York in 3 games.