STU RANDALL’S MLB PLAYOFF PICKS
No. 1 Rays vs. No. 8 Blue Jays
The Rays-Blue Jays playoff matchup is the only wild-card clash featuring teams that faced each other during the season. Tampa won the season series 6-4 – including going 4-3 at Tropicana Field – despite being outscored 48-44.
No. 2 Athletics vs. No. 7 White Sox
The White Sox and A’s are both struggling heading into this series. Chicago dropped eight of its last 10 games, while Oakland lost five of its last eight contests, and the A’s are without star third baseman Matt Chapman.
The A’s should benefit from home-field advantage after finishing tied for the most home wins in the majors, though the White Sox were one of the best road clubs this season.
No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Astros
Minnesota gets the luckiest draw, as the Astros are the only AL team to reach the playoffs with a losing record. Houston is without Justin Verlander, Roberto Osuna, Yordan Alvarez, and Josh James, but the Astros still possess plenty of firepower, especially in a short series.
No. 4 Indians vs. No. 5 Yankees
This should be the most exciting series of the eight, as it’s a battle pitting elite pitching against a powerful offense. Cleveland’s pitchers posted the second-lowest ERA in the majors, and they’ll face the fourth-highest scoring offense, and a unit that’s now fully healthy.
It won’t get better than Shane Bieber facing Gerrit Cole in Game 1.
No. 1 Dodgers vs. No. 8 Brewers
Milwaukee will be the biggest underdog during the wild-card round, especially with ace Corbin Burnes sidelined due to an oblique injury. Los Angeles finished the season with a .717 winning percentage, led MLB in runs, and allowed the second-fewest runs.
Even in a short series, the Dodgers getting bounced would be a major upset that could result in the team undergoing significant changes.
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No. 2 Braves vs. No. 7 Reds
Atlanta is the high seed that may not actually be favored. No one wants to face the Reds, who begin the postseason after winning seven of their last 10, and they boast arguably the best rotation in the playoffs with Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo, and Sonny Gray.
The Braves are no slouch though. Atlanta dealt with several starting pitching injuries, but the club still scored the second-most runs in the majors with its top-tier lineup
No. 3 Cubs vs. No. 6 Marlins
The Marlins were the ultimate road team this season, going 20-14 as visitors and 11-15 at home. So they should feel comfortable in Chicago.
Miami is playing with house money, and the Marlins’ pitching staff could help them surprise a very flawed Chicago team and its stars that have struggled this year.
No. 4 Padres vs. No. 5. Cardinals
The Padres finished with the third-best record in the majors, but they had to settle for the NL’s fourth seed because of MLB’s bracket system.
San Diego could be dealing with two enormous starting pitching injuries, with Dinelson Lamet and Mike Clevinger potentially sidelined for the series. St. Louis, meanwhile, will likely be running on fumes after playing such a condensed schedule following the team’s COVID-19 outbreak.
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