2015 MLB Playoffs Predictions: Toronto Blue Jays, LA Dodgers World Series?

I believe in pitching your way through the postseason. Let’s be honest, when is the last time a World Series winner slugged their way to a ring? That’s what the Toronto Blue Jays are trying to do, but can they hit when bats go cold in wintry weather? Probably not, to be honest, but I don’t think it will matter. The Jays play in a dome, the Dodgers play in warm weather, and if the LA Dodgers take out the St. Louis Cardinals I think the Jays will hit their way to a World Series win.

Wild Card Round

Houston Astros at New York Yankees
– This is a crazy game. The All-Star Game starter takes the mound for a Houston Astros team that stumbled down the stretch and squandered their division lead. Speaking of squandering a tremendous division lead, the New York Yankees did the same. There’s no denying that New York backed its way into the playoffs, but aura, mystique, and a home game means I’m on the New York Yankees to squeak past the Astros.

Yankees 4 – Astros 3

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
– No pitcher has been as dominant as Jake Arrieta down the stretch, and despite Gerrit Cole’s impressive 19 wins this season I have to think that Arrieta stays hot here and leads the Cubs into the next round of the postseason. The lineups are comparable, the aces are on the hill, and I’m going to choose the road team here in a battle of two excellent pitchers from the most competitive division in baseball.

Cubs 3 – Pirates 1

Divisional Round

Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees
– Call me crazy. It’s okay, you won’t be the first to do it. If the New York Yankees somehow get by the Houston Astros in the first round, I think they have a legitimate chance to beat the Royals, too. The Yankees have the better bullpen, better pitching, and more experience. The Royals have speed and similar depth in the lineup. For me, the Yankees could easily give the Royals a run for their money. Why not? Dallas Keuchel will be a far bigger test. That said, if Houston gets through but burns their ace, I expect them to struggle in the second round and will pick the Royals over the Astros.

Yankees in 7

Toronto Blue Jays vs Texas Rangers
– The two hottest teams in baseball go at it here. The Rangers stormed back to take the division while the Blue Jays have dominated all of baseball since the trade deadline. I like the Hamels Price matchup and think the Rangers will be the biggest test the Jays face before the World Series. That said, I don’t see them taking down a team that is this deep offensively and this hot.

Blue Jays in 5

St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs
– Again, after burning your ace I don’t know how you survive the next round when your rotation is as top heavy as the Cubs and Astros. The Cardinals are deep and know how to win. They’ll take care of this divisional rivalry series no matter who they face out of the Wild Card Game.

Cardinals in 5

LA Dodgers vs New York Mets
– It’s cute that the New York Mets are back in the playoffs, but how are you going to beat Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke? I don’t think the Mets have the bats to pull off this upset.

Dodgers in six

ALCS Prediction
New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays
– The Jays have the Yankees’ number. There’s hope for New York because they historically have hit David Price quite well, but the Blue Jays are simply too hot. I don’t see anyone stopping this train.

Jays in five

NLCS Prediction
St. Louis Cardinals vs LA Dodgers
– I like the Dodgers here in what I expect will be a fantastic series. I love the pitching the Dodgers have now that Greinke is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. This 1-2 punch could prove to be enough against a deep Cardinals team with a ton of experience. I’m just not sold on the Cardinals lineup, and their pitching has been a little bit inconsistent down the stretch.

Dodgers in six

WORLD SERIES PREDICTION
Toronto Blue Jays vs LA Dodgers
– My big fear in picking the Toronto Blue Jays is cold weather. The bats go cold in the winter, the ball comes off dead, and the home run is a little bit harder to come by – all against the best pitchers in baseball. That said, the Jays play indoors and will have home field, while the Dodgers are a warm weather team as well. The Jays bats won’t go dead, and their pitching is better than people give them credit for.

Blue Jays in Seven