SF (95-67) vs LAD (96-66)
Season series: SF 4 - LAD 3
This is going be great series with evenly matched teams and runs will be very hard to come by. We are talking the top 2 pitching teams in the NL in almost every category (ERA, FIP, WPA, WHIP). Both offenses also very similar offensive stats, should be evenly matched on that side as well.
Key players to watch:
SF - 2B Mora the 2nd best player in the NL by WAR, also crushed LAD in their matchups so far.
LAD - SP Hernandez. You just can't score runs against this guy, 2.41 ERA, 1.05 WHIP.
Key factor - bullpen. SF has blown the 2nd most saves in the league, although that is mostly a byproduct of a lot of close games.
Prediction - LAD over SF in 5 - Lot of low scoring close games but will ultimately be won by LAD bullpen in a nail-biting game 5.
STL (88-74) vs ATL (101-61)
Season series: STL 4 - ATL 3
On paper this should be a slam-dunk for ATL, but in the playoffs good pitching trumps all and a rotation led by Attene, Beck, and Rocker will be hard to beat and they boast the 3rd most QS in the league for a reason. HOWEVER, this ATL offense is
. 2nd in almost every offensive category behind Coors and have star power in Corral, Nixon, and Franco. STL is behind ATL but still a solid, balanced offense. Key players to watch:
STL - SP Attene, if he can pitch games 2 & 5 the way he pitched against ATL earlier in the series, they should only need 1 more win from Beck or Rocker.
ATL - Has to be Corral. The most valuable player in the NL. He hit .357/.419/.919 against STL this year and is 4/10 off Attene. His defense and ability to get on base is invaluable.
Key factor - back-end rotation. I would like to put bullpen but trying not to be redundant, both teams have bottom bullpen in ERA. ATL has edge in offense, STL in top of rotation, so I will say the 3rd & 4th SP in the series.
Prediction - ATL over STL in 5 - STL pitching will get them to game 5 but the ATL offense will be overpowering when Attene isn't pitching.
LAA (93-69) vs TOR (104-58)
Season series: LAA 3 - TOR 3
Record-wise this again looks like a shoo-in for TOR, but their run differential is only 3 different, these teams are more evenly matched than they first appear. TOR has the edge in offense and BP, but LAA with the top pitching in the league led by Milligan and Medina and top notch defense.
Key players to watch:
TOR - This was tough as TOR doesn't have much star talent, but a lot of solid contributors. I'm going with SP Petersen, starting 2 big games and has the chance to shape the series
LAA - Graterol, with CL Rodriguez out most of the series, who has blown 5 saves already this season will be taking over closing duties for this series.
Key factor - TOR hitters ability to hit LAA pitching. TOR is reliant on base hits for offense as they are 14th in league in walks and homeruns. Looking at LAA pitching, every single pitcher has 65+ stuff except 1 guy (who has 60)
Prediction - LAA over TOR in 5 - I think TOR will struggle to hit LAA pitching this series and LAA will hit just enough of TOR pitching outside of Petersen.
DET (82-80) vs KC (102-60)
Season series: DET 8 - KC 11
This is going to be a fun series with division rivals facing off! Every team gets a clean slate in playoffs and only needs to win 3/5 games, beauty of baseball. KC has the clear edge in almost every category. DET has solid SP and some hitters with real power. KC is perfectly suited for their ballpark being top 3 in almost every offensive category but homeruns and with dominant top of the rotation.
Key players to watch:
DET - Ovideo is going to have to step up and provide some major offense in this series
KC - Olvalle is their star offensive player. He has hit for a 1.252 OPS against DET this season
Key factor - Adaptation to ballparks. Kauffman Stadium is meant for small ball and their team hits well in it. Comerica Park however is much more homerun friendly and DET has the power to generate runs there.
Prediction - KC over DET in 4 - I think the top of KC rotation and their offense as a whole is better, and DET will likely struggle to hit in Kauffman Stadium.