Which teams will make it to the AL and the NL Championship Series? It's a question HNGN editorial director Michael Bullerdick asked his four sports writers, who couldn't seem to agree.
Cal-
AL
The Kansas City Royals had to win an absolute nail-biter Tuesday night to make it to the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels - it's just too bad that it's not going to end up meaning much in the long run. The Angels are stacked offensively and ended the regular season with the most wins in the majors. Kansas City will try to keep things close, but the AL West winning Angels are just too impressive and will win going away.
As for the Detroit-Baltimore series, things seem fairly even at the outset. But a rotation of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and David Price, and a lineup that led the league in batting average and OPS, is hard to bet against. I say the Tigers win a close series.
NL
After last night's convincing victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants head into their NLDS matchup against the Washington Nationals with plenty of momentum. With the Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman coming back from injury and still trying to find a home and his swing, and Stephen Strasburg making his first ever postseason start, I'm gonna go ahead and give the edge to the Giants. They've won in the postseason with this lineup before, with Pablo Sandoval and Tim Lincecum - albeit in a different role - leading the way.
The Dodgers boast the best pitcher in the majors in Clayton Kershaw and the Cardinals haven't been scoring of late - a situation that will most likely be exacerbated by their lefty heavy lineup facing Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu. With the superior rotation, an explosive lineup that includes Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford and Yasiel Puig, and a Cardinals bullpen that's not quite as good as it was last season, I give the edge to the Dodgers.
Thomas-
AL
Even though Baltimore took Game 1 last night thanks to an eight-run eighth inning, I just don't see the Orioles taking three out of five games against an experienced and talented Detroit Tigers squad. Baltimore (96-66) did a tremendous job this season without an ace on their staff, but I'm not so sure that will last throughout the playoffs. The Tigers still have yet to send David Price, Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello to the mound, who I think will out-duel Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Bud Norris. These are two of the most prolific offenses in baseball, so I think the team with the better pitching will win.
Again, although Kansas City surprised everybody and took Game 1 in Los Angeles last night, I also don't see the Royals pulling perhaps the biggest upset in the playoffs. Vargas, a former Angel, spoiled the Angels' first playoff game since 2009 and tossed six innings, giving up just three hits and two earned runs. The Royals will send Yordano Ventura and James Shields to the mound for Games 2 and 3, while the Angels have Matt Shoemaker and C.J. Wilson. Los Angeles scored the most runs in the MLB this season, and I expect them to get back on track against the rookie Ventura, who came on in relief against the Athletics on Tuesday and surrendered two hits, including a two-run home run, in just 1/3 inning, which nearly cost the Royals the Wild Card game.
NL
I really do love the "experience" factor that the Giants have, but I'm not so sure it's going to be effective against the Nationals. Giants' manager Bruce Bochy is 8-1 all-time in playoff series and San Francisco has won eight consecutive postseason games. But the Nationals boast the best rotation in baseball, who collectively compiled a 3.03 ERA during the regular season, which was the best in the majors. Stephen Strasburg (3.14 ERA) will start Game 1, followed by Jordan Zimmermann (2.66 ERA) and Doug Fister (2.41 ERA) and I think that will be enough for the Nationals and Washington D.C. to celebrate their first postseason series win since the Great Depression.
Sure, these selections aren't very interesting, but there's no way I'm picking against Clayton Kershaw (1.77 ERA) and Zack Greinke (2.71 ERA), who could potentially start four out of the five games against the Cardinals in this series. Also, the Dodgers scored the sixth-most runs in the MLB this year compared to the 24th-ranked Cardinals. I think Los Angeles will take this series in four games and avenge last year's NLCS loss to St. Louis.
Jordan-
AL
I like Detroit's pitching rotation getting them past Baltimore. Verlander didn't have the best regular season, but he plays big in the postseason. Don't forget Scherzer and Price, either. Three AL Cy Young winners. I can't see Baltimore - even with their hitters - taking more than one game against Detroit. Tigers in four.
Los Angeles didn't have the strongest finish to the regular season, but I still pick them over Kansas City. I can't see Trout and the Angels going beyond the next round, but I see them at least getting there. I originally had the Angels in three. Yes, KC won the DS opener, but I don't see them winning another one. Los Angeles in four.
NL
Strasburg, Zimmermann, Roark, Fister. I'm not comparing Washington's rotation to Detroit's, but I like the Nationals' pitchers against San Francisco. Plus you have Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper, both of whom I think will have big games in the postseason. Washington in five.
Out of all the DS games, I'm most excited for Dodgers-Cardinals. Wainwright and Kershaw will be fun. But I think L.A.'s arms win it for them, especially if the Dodgers choose to pitch Kershaw or Greinke twice against the Cardinals. Los Angeles in four.
Brandon-
AL
I know game one didn't go well and I know Justin Verlander struggled some this season. But he's been here before. He's got a ring. The Orioles are young and exciting but it takes time to learn how to win in the postseason. The Tigers right the ship and take the series.
The Kansas City Royals are enjoying their first postseason appearance in 29 years. KC fans certainly deserve this. Unfortunately, the Royals are up against one of the most talented ball clubs from top-to-bottom in the league. You can't rely on late-inning magic every night. The Angels will take the series.
NL
Both teams missed the postseason last year. Both teams are hungry. The Giants may have won eight consecutive postseason games, but there is something going on with this Nationals team. Do I see a World Series ring in their future? No. But is a first round upset of the more seasoned Giants possible? Yes. The Nats will start hot and take the series.
All I need to know is which team Clayton Kershaw plays for. Good pitching beats good hitting every time and the Dodgers have the best pitcher on the planet right now. Los Angeles will ride the arm of their young ace to a first round victory.
