2014 MLB Playoffs Predictions
Wild Card Round
Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals – One Game Playoff
Lester V Shields
They don’t call him “Big Game James” for nothing. The way the Oakland Athletics have hit since the trade deadline, combined with a little bit of cold weather and a hot Kansas City team, makes me lean ever so slightly to the home team here. It’s hard to bet against Lester, but the A’s bullpen is struggling and they haven’t been scoring enough to earn my support. With that elimination game losing streak in tact for the Athletics, I’m on KC here.
Royals 4 – Athletics 1
San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates – One Game Playoff
Bumgarner v Volquez
The Giants have a winning pedigree and a pitching advantage in this one game playoff on the road, but the Pittsburgh Pirates are surging. Again, for me, the Giants bats are too weak to trust on the road. I think the home team comes through.
Pirates 4 – Giants 3
ALDS
Detroit Tigers Vs Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have been one of the hottest teams in baseball since separating from the pack a few months ago. I love the depth of their rotation, their coach, and their lineup. The Tigers held off the Royals, but in a mediocre division I don’t think they proved very much. I expect the Orioles to pull through.
Orioles in six
Kansas City Royals Vs LA Angels
Burning your top pitcher just to get into the real playoffs makes for a difficult path, and I don’t think the Royals are consistent or deep enough to win under those conditions. While the Angels don’t blow me away, they’re better than Kansas City.
Angels in five
NLDS
St. Louis Cardinals vs LA Dodgers
The Cardinals seem to defy the odds by winning close games all year. The Dodgers seem to defy the odds by taking the most talented roster in the National League and turning it into a garbage fire of chaos and dysfunction. I choose the winners.
Cardinals in seven
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals
Either way, we get the Giants with their ace down or the Pirates with no clear ace. I think the Nationals pitching staff will dominate this series, regardless of who they play. This is why the top seed is such a big advantage.
Nationals in five
ALCS
Baltimore Orioles vs LA Angels
Losing one of their aces for the year is going to hurt the Angels against a team as deep as the Orioles. I think this series could be close, but the Orioles are the best team in the AL. Can they finally get over their recent history of losing? Wouldn’t it be fitting if the Orioles made it to the World Series the year Derek Jeter and his phantom home run retires?
Orioles in six
NLCS
St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals
I think the run ends for the Cardinals here, as their unimpressive play of late finally catches up with their ability for tight victories. The Nats rotation is great, the lineup is deep, and they finally seem to be clicking. They just have to get past a Cardinals team with playoff experience and clutch hitting. I think they can do it, but I’m never willing to write off St. Louis completely.
Nationals in five
World Series
Baltimore Orioles vs Washington Nationals
I think it would be poetic justice for the Baltimore Orioles to win it all as Derek Jeter steps aside. It can symbolize a changing of the AL East guard and give Tony Tarasco and Jeffrey Maier some peace. That said, I don’t think it will happen. The Washington Nationals, led by their rotation and the depth of their lineup, will win the World Series this year.
Nats in six
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