American League Division Series
1. Tampa Bay Rays vs. 4. New York Yankees
The Rays ran roughshod against the American League this season. The only team to come close to them for the best record was their division rivals the New York Yankees. They have a balanced lineup led by their power bats in Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda. They acquired Liam Hicks at the trade deadline and he continued to produce in his breakout season. Speedster Chandler Simpson can wreak havoc on the base paths and his contact rate is among the best in the league. Closer Bryan Baker led the league in saves and boasted an ERA of 1.44. Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez were stellar at the top of the rotation. The midseason acquisition of Freddy Peralta gave Tampa Bay another experienced starter for the Postseason run.
It looked like a struggle at times, but they managed to get the top Wild Card spot. Not to mention doing so without Aaron Judge for most of the season. He won’t be available for this series, but others have stepped up. Ben Rice provided plenty of power with over 40 home runs during the season. Cody Bellinger has been solid and gives the lineup the protection it needs without having Judge. Luis Garcia was a solid midseason addition who had a career year at the plate. George Lombard Jr. seems to have the inside track to be the shortstop going forward and he doesn’t seem to shy away from the bright lights of New York. Pitching has been a key for them this season. Having Gerrit Cole back has been a huge boost. Carlos Rodon and Max Fried were also injured at times, but are ready and raring to go. The likely AL Cy Young winner Cam Schlittler has been dominant all year long with a 1.95 ERA in almost 200 innings pitched. David Bednar had a solid season as the closer with 35 saves and he will need to be that if not better in October.
Rays in 4 games
2. Cleveland Guardians vs. 6. Chicago White Sox
The Guardians have built their identity through their pitching staff for many years now. They have a dominant closer in Cade Smith who embraces his role with a passion. Rookie Parker Messick took command of the rotation all year long. Gavin Williams was his usual consistent self as a starter. Midseason acquisition Foster Griffin was having a breakout season, but has struggled to replicate that since coming to Cleveland. Injuries have plagued the lineup, mainly with start 3B Jose Ramirez. Being back and healthy now is the most important part for them. As is the return to form for Steven Kwan at the top of the order. Chase DeLauter will look to finish strong after his hot start to the season. Jo Adell will be playing in his first Postseason and continued his run producing ways after being acquired at the trade deadline. Brayan Rocchio has been a Postseason hero in recent years for Cleveland and he will be expected to do so again.
After three consecutive 100-loss seasons the Chicago White Sox have returned to the Postseason. It shouldn’t surprise anyone with the accumulated talent they have put together over the years. The big power bats have led the way for them with Munetaka Murakami at the forefront. Miguel Vargas had a breakout season and Colson Montgomery is living up to his billing as a run producer with plenty of pop. Sam Antonacci, Tristan Peters and Chase Meidroth have also been big contributors which puts Chicago’s depth near the top of the league. Davis Martin, Sean Burke and Erick Fedde have been solid in the rotation. Not being household names hasn’t deterred them from stepping up in a big way. There is plenty of depth in the bullpen and Grant Taylor took control of the closers role down the stretch for them. What the pitching does for Chicago will determine their fate in October.
White Sox in 5 games
National League Division Series
1. Milwaukee Brewers vs. 4. San Diego Padres
The Brewers were the best team in baseball once the calendar hit June. They went on a tear and never looked back. Jacob Misiorowski took command of the rotation and will likely win the NL Cy Young award. Kyle Harrison had a breakout season after struggling to establish himself at other stops early in his career. The bullpen has so many options to choose from with Aaron Ashby able to pitch in multiple situations. Abner Uribe being the primary setup man or closer if need be. Trevor Megill was stellar once again as the closer and his presence on the mound intimidates the best at the plate many times over. William Contreras, Jackson Chourio and Jake Bauers were the best run producers for them all year long. Their depth is nearly unmatched with them being able to plug in anyone at any time and they produce at clutch moments.
If you wanted to see two teams with elite bullpens going at it, this is your dream matchup. San Diego has three guys that can pitch in any situation and close a game out if need be. However, the mainstay is Mason Miller who was nearly unhittable during the regular season. Jason Adam was injured for most of the year, but is back at the right time. Adrian Morejon is one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball. Michael King and Robbie Ray will need to set a tone for the rotation in this series. Having Joe Musgrove return in October is an added boost to this staff. Slow starts aside, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have bounced back and are the keys to their lineup. Gavin Sheets and Ty France have provided a nice power boost all year long. If Jackson Merrill can get hot in October this will be a tough team to oust.
Brewers in 4 games
2. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. 3. Atlanta Braves
The Dodgers have to get consistent production out of their lineup. Even with a banged up Shohei Ohtani, they are better with him in the there. Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts have to be their usual selves this time of year. Teoscar Hernandez is massive run producer in October and its expected he will continue that. Max Muncy provides a patient approach in the middle of the order. Which Kyle Tucker will play in October for Los Angeles? Andy Pages was their best run producer and plays a gold glove defense in center field. The rotation is stacked with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and now Tarik Skubal at the top. The bullpen is where the question marks are. Tanner Scott and Edwin Diaz have to solidify the closers role and stop bringing out the gas can in the ninth.
A healthy Atlanta Braves team is a scary good one. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Drake Baldwin both went down with minor injuries during the season, but they are back healthy and producing like their old selves. Matt Olson and Michael Harris II were their best run producers. Austin Riley had a nice bounce back year and Ozzie Albies was a stable bat in the middle of the order. If Chris Sale is on his game he is tough to defeat. Tyler Mahle was a nice addition at the trade deadline and has kept the rotation afloat with the injuries that piled up. The bullpen has a quartet that they rely on heavily and it has worked all year. Raisel Iglesias is the primary closer with Robert Suarez able to do so to give Iglesias a day off. Dylan Lee and Didier Fuentes have been reliable setup men and make everything mesh when they’re on point.
Dodgers in 5 games
