2015 MLB Playoffs: Division Series Predictions/Analysis

• published: 08 Oct 2015
• views: 25

Below are some extra pieces of analysis to each series! Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMULTRAOFFICIAL American League Wild Card: Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees Prediction: Astros Result: Astros win 3-0 American League Division Series: (4) Houston Astros vs. (1) Kansas City Royals Pick: Royals in 4 The Royals were one of the best teams in 2015. Despite coasting through September, they are the top team of the AL, and with home-field advantage, look to get to the ALCS for the second straight year. I believe they'll do so. Cueto, Ventura and Volquez are all going to need to perform well. With an experienced club, featuring the likes of Hosmer, Perez, Cain and Moustakas, the Royals are going to be very hard for Houston to beat. After Keuchel, is Houston going to have enough in the pitching staff? Kazmir isn't pitching to the level he used to, and will the inexperienced McHugh be able to perform well on the road? Overall, Houston has a pretty poor road record. That won't help them here. I believe KC will take the first two, Houston will swipe one at home, maybe both, but I feel KC will lock it down in 4. Experience is going to play a role. (3) Texas Rangers vs. (2) Toronto Blue Jays Pick: Blue Jays in 4 The Blue Jays have an unbelievable offense. 800 runs in a season is just unbelievable, meaning the team averaged over 5 runs per game. Now that is a prolific offense. Bautista, Encarnacion, Donaldson, Tulo, Revere... the lineup is STACKED. Texas can undoubtedly hold them, with Beltre, Moreland, Napoli, Fielder and Andrus. Both teams are excellent offensively, but will pitching play a role, or lack thereof? David Price has been excellent for Toronto, and with Stroman pitching well down the stretch, plus the reliable vet RA Dickey, I see Toronto being able to hold the fort. If the starters can give them enough innings and hold Texas to 3-4 runs, they'll be more than likely to score enough to get them by. Texas doesn't have the best ranked pitching in the game, but with Cole Hamels coming over there, it certainly helps them out. Overall, I have the Jays winning the series in 4. I could see them sweeping, mainly because they're so tough to beat once the bats get going. If Gallardo can get them in a rut from the start, they could be in trouble, because without that offense, they're sure to lose to a strong Texas team. National League Wild Card: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Pick: Cubs Result: Cubs 4-0 National League Division Series: (4) Chicago Cubs vs. (1) St. Louis Cardinals Pick: Cubs in 5 This is a tough series to predict. The Cardinals won the season series, and they have the better team on paper. But, the Cubs are a team of destiny this year. There's just something in the air with them, so to speak. Lester and Arrieta are a tough duo in the pitching staff, and with the breakout Kris Bryant and continued power of Anthony Rizzo fueling an up and down offense, the Cubs have the sparks needed to win the series. They're hungry for this. Not to say St. Louis is anybody to sneeze at. They coasted, similarly to KC, through September. But, they still finished with over 100 wins, and that's no easy feat. A team that continues to make the playoffs, the Cards are just resilient. Lance Lynn, John Lackey and Wacha were all excellent, helping the team real in the lowest ERA in the MLB for 2015. Now with Wainwright being available, it just adds to the depth. A very tough series to predict indeed, and a rivalry that's sure to intensify here. I believe we'll have two splits, each team taking a game in their respective ballparks, and a deciding fifth game that will be dominated by pitching, and ultimately will put the Cubs over. (3) New York Mets vs. (2) Los Angeles Dodgers Pick: Mets in 4 Another good series. It's hard to not picture the Dodgers, with Greinke and Kershaw at the top of the rotation, making it. But, Kershaw is known to struggle in the playoffs. The Mets have a sparky lineup. Ever since picking up Yoenis Cespedes, the team is on fire. Daniel Murphy, the vet David Wright and Juan Uribe, and one of the best lead-off hitters in Curtis Granderson, along with Lucas Duda makes for an imposing offense that can really get hot. The Mets pitching is nothing to sneeze at, either. deGrom, Colon, Harvey and Syndergaard have all been solid to very good... the Dodgers offense will have a tough time producing a whole lot of runs if these guys are locked in. The Dodgers still have the likes of Adrian Gonzalez, and with the upstart Joc Pederson having a big year, it's safe to say they are still an offensive threat. Plus, they're backed with veterans, like Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Andre Ethier. Overall, I believe there'll be a split in LA, then two wins for the Mets at home. I think Harvey and deGrom shut it down in New York. BUT, if Kershaw and Greinke are on, look out. Thanks for watching! Give me a like, comment your own predictions below, subscribe for plenty more.