It’s that most wonderful time of year again: the baseball postseason. Here are my preferences and predictions.
My Preferences
As Bostonian and a Red Sox fan, I’m all in for the Red Sox going all the way this year. I especially want to see the core of young star players – Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley, Jr., and Rafael Devers – win their first championship together (and Xander Bogaerts, despite his youth, winning his second). Here are the rest of my preferences from most to least:
Milwaukee Brewers – If the Red Sox fail to win, I’ll be pulling for the Brewers as they are the team that’s been around the longest without ever winning a championship. They’d also follow the Astros as the second team to win a pennant in both leagues.
Oakland Athletics – I’ve long admired the A’s ability to play exciting, winning baseball on a tight budget, so I wouldn’t mind seeing them go all the way.
Colorado Rockies – I have no strong feelings for or against the Rockies, but since they’ve never won a World Series they rank higher rather than lower.
Chicago Cubs – After the Red Sox broke their World Series drought, it was great to see them win another a few years later, and I suspect Cub Nation would also enjoy an overdue run of good fortune too. Plus I have a soft spot for the team after having a good time at Wrigley Field this summer.
Houston Astros – The Astros were an exciting and deserving World Series champions last season, and I think will be the Red Sox toughest potential opposition this postseason. Back to back championships wouldn’t be a terrible thing.
Cleveland Indians – Generally I’d root for a team that has the longest World Series drought in baseball, but I think before they win Cleveland should change their name and retire their racist logo. Then they can win in their very first season of their new identity as the Cleveland Spiders or something.
Atlanta Braves – I still bear residual resentment against Atlanta for their 1990s-2000s dominance. Then there’s the tomahawk chop. Then there’s their totally unnecessary taxpayer funded ballpark in the suburbs.
Los Angeles Dodgers – The Cardinals and the Dodgers are my least favorite National League teams so really I’ll only root for the Dodgers if they end up playing my least favorite team overall, the Yankees.
New York Yankees – God forbid that the Yankees win a series, or even a game, or even score a run. Just exit early.
My Predictions
National League Wild Card Game
Chicago defeats Colorado
American League Wild Card Game
New York defeats Oakland
National League Division Series
Atlanta defeats Los Angeles, 3-1
Milwaukee defeats Chicago, 3-2
American League Division Series
Houston defeats Cleveland, 3-0
Boston defeats New York, 3-2
National League Championship Series
Atlanta defeats Milwaukee, 4-2
American League Championship Series
Boston defeats Houston, 4-2
World Series
Boston defeats Atlanta, 4-1
Panorama of the Mountains 