MLB play-offs...

[mckbln]

My preseason (spring training) picks:

NL

East: Phillies

Central: Reds

West: Dodgers

Wild Card: Braves, Cardinals


AL

East: Rays

Central: Tigers

West: Rangers

Wild Card: Angels, Yankees

World Series: Reds over Tigers


Reality:

I never saw the A's, Orioles, or Nationals doing as well as they did. Having said that, I still feel pretty good about my WS picks. I expect the Braves to beat the Cards, and the Rangers to defeat the O's in the (absurd) one and done Wild Card games.


The Yankees and the Rangers are basically the same type of teams, built on offense, good bull pens, thin starting pitching. The A's are a team on a roll, but...youth and inexperience. The Tigers have great starting pitching, considering a short series with Verlander, Fister, and Scherzer, and a lights out closer in Valverde. Their offense is also very good, which includes Triple Crown winner Cabrerra.

The Giants have great pitching but so-so offense, however, they have also been there before. The Nationals are like the A's...talent, but a very young team. The Nats, even without Strassberg, have the best pitching. The Braves have one REALLY good pitcher, a great bull pen, but I just don't see them going past the NLDS. The Reds have depth, great starting pitching, a lights out closer in Chapman (throws 100+mph), and if they get consistent hitting and run scoring in the play-offs...look out.

[Greenskin]

I am a biased Reds fan and I think they are better than most people give them credit for. They have great balance. If their bats don't go to sleep they will be the team to beat. The Cueto injury could be a huge factor though. No one can blame you for discounting the A's and O's but the Nats looked legit to me. They will regret putting Strasburg on the shelf.

As much as I hate to say it, the Yanks will probably make it out. I hpe the Cards don't make it as they are not a great club and shouldn't even be in the playoffs. The expanded playoffs have nothing to do with sports, fairness or competitiveness. It has everything to do with money. Good business, bad sports.