MLB playoff predictions

 The MLB Playoffs are here, so it's time to predict them. It should be an interesting postseason, but only one team can walk away champions. Who will it be? Let's see.

AL Wild Card Series

#6 Tigers vs #3 Guardians: Guardians win in 2 games

#5 Red Sox vs #4 Yankees- Yankees win in 3 games

The Tigers had a monumental collapse, leading the AL Central by 15.5 games in July, but stumbled in the last 2 months, allowing the Guardians to pounce and defend their AL Central title. The Guardians were on fire during that stretch, and don't look like they're slowing down, so I'm expecting a blowout sweep. Meanwhile, baseball's most famous rivalry gets another chapter. The Red Sox traded away Rafael Devers in mid-June, and everyone thought they were done. Instead, they went 45-32 since then, and snuck in as the 5 seed. The Yankees came in this year as the reigning AL champions, and they had a nice start to the season. Then they stumbled a bit in the summer, and people questioned if they'd make it. But they had a strong finish, and are in the playoffs for the 8th time in the last decade. This is tough to predict, but I am taking the Yankees due to their solid record at home.

NL Wild Card series

#6 Reds vs #3 Dodgers- Dodgers win in 2 games

#5 Padres vs #4 Cubs- Padres win in 3 games

The Reds are in the playoffs for the first time in a full season since 2013 (they made it during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign). They are a bit young and inexperienced, and playing the defending champions, so I am taking the Dodgers. They've regressed a bit, but they're still a damn good team. They've got the likely MVP in Shohei Ohtani. They've got a great pitching staff, headlined by Blake Snell. Dave Roberts is a great manager. We'll see what happens.

ALDS

Guardians vs #2 Mariners- Mariners win in 4 games

Yankees vs #1 Blue Jays- Blue Jays win in 5 games

The Mariners were mediocre during the first half of the year, but turned it up during the second half. A lot of factors played a role, the biggest being Cal Raleigh, who hit a whopping 60 home runs. A dominant pitching staff also played a role, led by Bryan Woo. The vibes are up in Seattle, and I can see a hell of a run brewing. The Blue Jays were decent in May, but turned it up to a whole different level in the summer. They have a damn good pitching rotation and Vladimir Guerrero Jr, so I'm giving them this series.

NLDS

Dodgers vs #2 Phillies- Phillies win in 4 games

Padres vs #1 Brewers- Brewers win in 3 games

The Phillies were mediocre in the first few months, but hit their stride in July. There were definitely some bumps in the road, but overall it was a hell of a year. Let's see what they can do. I think they can beat the Dodgers, and they will. The Brewers have been a juggernaut this entire year, and Christian Yelich is helping lead the way with 29 homers and 103 RBIs. Freddy Peralta is a good pitcher. I love Pat Murphy as a manager. This team is dangerous. I have them winning this series with ease.

ALCS

Mariners vs Blue Jays- Mariners win in 6 games

I just have more faith in the Mariners right now than I do in the Blue Jays. Cal Raleigh is an excellent hitter, and the pitching staff is great. This team is for real. I'd be excited to see this series. This would be their first ever AL pennant, and I hope they get it.

NLCS

Phillies vs Brewers- Phillies win in 6

This would be a hell of an NLCS, and I'd want to see it. I'm not being biased, I genuinely think the Phillies are the best team in the NL. I think Cristopher Sanchez is one of the best pitchers out there. I think this offense is amazing, and I hope I am right!

World Series

Phillies vs Mariners- Phillies win in 7

I pray that I am right. I truly feel like this is the year, and I want to be right. I think the bats can warm up. Last year, there was reason to believe they would, and a lot of reason to believe they wouldn't. But the bullpen is stronger, the bats are more consistent. I believe this is our year. I could see us losing though. I'm excited. I'm also nervous. I can't wait. Let's go.