The Cavalier’s 2022 MLB Postseason Predictions
October 6, 2022
October is here and it is finally time to watch baseball that matters. With an extra team being added to the field in each league, the Wild Card round will consist of three-game series instead of a one-game playoff.
The regular season has concluded and the bracket is officially set. Here are my predictions for how the postseason will play out.
AL Wild Card Round:
#6 Rays at #3 Guardians:
The Rays received the final bid into the postseason, but they played in a very competitive AL East Division for the entire season. This Guardians roster does not have a lot of postseason experience, and the Rays 1-2 punch of Shane McClanahan and Tyler Glasnow will give Cleveland problems.
Prediction:
Rays 2-0
#5 Mariners at #4 Blue Jays
Seattle has earned a playoff bid for the first time since 2001, and travel up north to take on the Toronto Blue Jays. I think the Mariners will work some magic to win a series in one of the toughest postseason environments due to a clutch bullpen performance.
Prediction:
Mariners 2-1
NL Wild Card Round
#6 Phillies at #3 Cardinals:
The Cardinals have lots of storylines in this series, as Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols will play the final games of their careers. However, Bryce Harper and the Phillies are matched up well with St. Louis, and the power of Harper, Schwarber, and Castellanos will be too much for the weak starting pitching staff of the Cardinals.
Prediction:
Phillies 2-1.
#5 Padres at #4 Mets:
The Mets blew a 10.5 game lead to earn themselves an early matchup with elimination at stake, but the combo of hall of farmers on the bump will lead them to a rather easy sweep of a cold Padres team that has struggled to get hot offensively while Juan Soto is in a hitting slump.
Prediction:
Mets 2-0.
ALDS (Best of Five)
#5 Mariners vs #1 Astros
Coming off a bye, the Astros will have their elite pitching rotation rested and ready to mow down a familiar divisional opponent. This one is over before it even starts.
Prediction:
Astros 3-0.
#6 Rays vs. #2 Yankees
In another matchup of division rivals, the Yankees struggle to find production from anyone other than the soon-to-be MVP. The dinosaur-age core of Rizzo, Stanton, Donaldson, and LeMahieu struggle to put any pressure on the Rays pitching staff. Randy Arozerena is one of the best postseason hitters of the past few seasons and will torment the Yankees’ inexperienced bullpen. The Rays advance to the ALCS.
Prediction:
Rays 3-1.
NLDS
#4 Mets vs #1 Dodgers
In one of the most anticipated matchups of the playoffs, two of the best rosters in the league face off early on in the bracket. The Dodgers have home-field advantage and experienced bats who have seen DeGrom and Scherzer. I like the Dodgers to win a tight series in Game 5.
Prediction:
Dodgers 3-2.
#6 Phillies vs. #2 Braves
Very similar to the Astros-Mariners series, the Phillies quickly bag their bags to the offseason after being dismantled by the elite pitching and hitting core of the Braves. With how great the Braves management has been, the Phillies’ season may end at the hands of Atlanta pretty often in the future.
Prediction:
Braves 3-0.
ALCS (Best of Seven)
#6 Rays vs #1 Astros
Tampa Bay’s Cinderella Run comes to an end against the number one seed in Houston. The Astros five-man rotation is just too tough for a team like the Rays to find success against.
Prediction:
Astros 4-1.
NLCS
#2 Braves vs, #1 Dodgers
This would be a very interesting series after the Freddie Freeman free-agency situation, but these are the two best teams in baseball in my opinion. But, only one can advance to the World Series. In a classic battle, the series is tied up 3-3 and going to LA for game 7. The Dodgers’ depth will prove to play a huge role in their 4-3 victory over the reigning champions.
Prediction:
Dodgers 4-3.
World Series
#1 Dodgers vs. #1 Astros
I know it’s boring to see the two #1 seeds meet, but they are the best teams in their leagues. In a rematch of the famous 2017 World Series, the Dodgers and the Astros meet to decide a champion. This time, there is nothing giving the Astros an edge, and the Dodgers clearly have a better roster. The Dodgers win the World Series over the Astros.
Prediction
Dodgers 4-2.