Happy October, everyone. While the Red Sox (once again) aren’t here, it stings a little (not really) less knowing this could be a very fun postseason. Here are my predictions for the Wild Card Round.
Detroit @ Houston: Houston in 3
It’s been a fun ride over the last two months for the Tigers, America’s newfound team to root for. Detroit was 55-63 before finishing the season 31-13 to storm into the playoffs. Led by soon-to-be AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and a gritty lineup led by Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, the Tigers’ reward for one of the best second halves in recent memory is facing an Astros team that’s played in seven consecutive American League Championship Series. Sadly, I think the magic runs out here and experience wins out in Houston, but it won’t shock me if the Tigers steal Game 1 behind Skubal.
Kansas City @ Baltimore: Baltimore in 3
This could be a very exciting series in Baltimore. Both of these teams are fun, likable, and exciting to watch, three of the major ingredients when it comes to cooking up some good October baseball. The Royals have an awesome rotation and a superstar as the face of the team, while the young Orioles took baseball by storm last season only to be swept by the champion Texas Rangers. This year will be different in Baltimore, however, as the O’s will not only win their first playoff game this decade but also their first playoff series. I have a bad feeling about the Kansas City bullpen going into this series, and I’m not sure if the rotation is good enough to mask the problems. The Royals steal a game, maybe even Game 1, but Baltimore in 3.
New York @ Milwaukee: New York in 3
If the last two years of playoff baseball have taught us anything, it’s that momentum and being hot at the right moment matters in October. That is currently the case with the Mets, who just played the game of the year en route to clinching a playoff spot in a de facto Game 163 on Monday. Better yet, they saved Luis Severino after winning Game 1 of the doubleheader, setting the rotation up nicely for the series. On the other side is a Milwaukee team that thought would take a step back after several offseason departures including Corbin Burnes, but the Brew Crew are back on top of the NL Central for the third time in four years. I like the Mets to upset Milwaukee and keep their momentum going.
Atlanta @ San Diego: San Diego in 2
Atlanta also made the playoffs on the final day of the season, but at what cost? Chris Sale is seemingly unavailable in the Wild Card round due to a back injury, and Spencer Schwellenbach pitched on Monday. The fact the Braves are even here is incredible after the injuries they dealt with throughout the season, but it feels like they used up the last of the magic to get here. On the other side is San Diego, who are back in the playoffs after a lost season in 2023. The Padres were one of the best teams in baseball in the second half of the season, and this feels like a year they can go deep into the playoffs. Give me San Diego to send Atlanta packing in 2.