Happy Tuesday,
The Wildcard round has ended, and now we enter the Divisional Round of the 2022 MLB Playoffs. The Wildcard round ended in some excitment in some series, and sadness in others. For example, the Mariners comeback in the AL – and Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright (possibly), and Yadier Molina’s careers coming to an end in the NL.
Now we move into the second round and after not giving projections for the overall playoffs, I have decided to for the rest.
Before we get into it, let me add that in every matchup, rather than saying it 4 times over, I am curiouys to see how the extended layoff between the end of the season and the Divisional round fairs for the 4 first-round bye teams. So, here we go:
New York Yankees over the Cleveland Guardians in 4 games
The Yankees lineup is obviously stacked. The “home run record holder”, Stanton, and Rizzo bring the power, while the rest of the lineup does their jobs effectively. The Guardians have the definitons of a small ball team, and I’m just not sure that that is enough to get past the Bronx Bombers. The Guardians pitching staff is lights out at the top with Bieber and McKenzie showing off in the Wildcard round, however the Yankees lineup is significantly better than that of the Rays. The Yankees pitching staff should handle the Guardians lineup, however it is the MLB and any team can beat anyone on any day. I just don’t see the Yanks giving up 3 games though.
In the regular season, the Yanks were 5-1 against the Guardians and I’m thinking this series ends about the same.
Los Angeles Dodgers take down divisional foe San Diego Padres in 4
The Padres are hot, but the Dodgers have been hot for 7 months… in the words of Freddie Freeman. I know that the Dodgers own the Padres and that is just plain and simple. This season the Dodgers were 14-5 against the divisional team from the south, and there is no way they lose this series after outscoring the Padres 109-47 during the regular season.
The Dodgers pitching staff is absurd, while their lineup is the best in baseball. They have bought the chance to run through the playoffs and now is their time to prove that money buys championships. If they don’t the fans will be calling for Dave Roberts head after their insane success in the regular season.
The Dodgers run through the Padres, but the Padres win one game in San Diego in walkoff fashion, due to costly errors by the Dodgers. That is the only way the Padres win a game in this series. As much as I hate the Dodgers, they are the best team in the playoffs, but can they clutch up when it matters most?
Atlanta Braves sweep the Philadelphia Phillies
I love Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, but the Braves are outstanding. They have the lineup and the pitching staff to easily handle the Phils lineup and top end of their rotation. Nola and Wheeler will give the Braves some troubles, but the Braves lineup outweighs the top Phillies pitchers, allowing them to walk all over them.
While the Braves lineup and rotation are both solid, the bullpen since the break has been bolstered with Rasiel Iglesias who since leaving the Angels is just the greatest closer ever (salty Angels fan comment there), but the team as a whole is great top to bottom and they should handle a lesser opponent in this round.
Houston Astros sweep the Seattle Mariners with ease
Honestly, if you told me that the Mariners score less than 3 runs in the series (aka 1 run per game), I would not be surprised. The Astros pitching staff is arguably the best in the American League (only competitor in MLB is the Dodgers), and their lineup is getting it done offensively. The Mariners were lucky to sneak into the playoffs, and I don’t see any possible way that they are able to win a game against the reigning AL champs.
Robbie Ray could give the Mariners a game in the the series, but whoever he is throwing against on the Astros will give the Mariners lineup fits.
Lets hope for some exciting games, but I don’t see any of the lower seeded teams coming out of the Divisional round.
Till Next Time,
Trevor
