By Andrew Snyder, Staff Writer
After the marathon that is the Major League Baseball regular seasons schedule, it all comes down to the select few that avoided catastrophe in route to a playoff appearance. As is the case with every season, there are sure things and surprises, and this October should be one to remember given the sheer star power that will be on display.
Starting with the American League, here are the projections for what looks to be another exciting postseason.
Oakland Athletics – Wild Card
With a budget hovering around that of a college fraternity, the Oakland Athletics have pushed themselves back into the playoffs.
This year’s Athletics are looking to avoid the organization’s history of losing early in the post-season, once again led by a youthful roster. Matt Chapman, Marcus Semien, and Matt Olson are a powerful offensive trio that has gone seemingly unnoticed given the A’s success. All three have hit over 30 home runs, knocked in over 90 RBIs each, and hit at least 25 doubles a piece.
Nobody on the A’s is hitting over .300, but breakouts from Ramon Laureano and Mark Canha have aided the A’s atypical powerful offense this year.
Sean Manea is becoming a true ace, so he figures to start the Wild Card game. Beyond Manea, Mike Fiers and Brett Anderson slot in as the No.2 and No.3 options. Fiers and Anderson are crafty veterans that don’t strike many hitters out, but they have experience under their belt.
Liam Hendriks leads a mediocre bullpen that could receive an assist from young arms like A.J. Puk and Jesus Luzardo. Never count them out, but the A’s just don’t have the pitching to get deep into the postseason.
OUTCOME:
Tampa Bay Rays – Wild Card
Tampa will battle the A’s in a clash of small market teams for the sole Wild Card spot. The Rays are back in the postseason as a severe underdog, but they won 96 games for a reason.
Manager Kevin Cash seems to be pushing all the right buttons, including the implementation of an opener. The opener could benefit the Rays in the playoffs given how important the early innings of a one-game elimination round could be.
At the plate, Austin Meadows is proving to be part of a lopsided trade, hitting 33 bombs while hitting over .290 on the year. Tommy Pham can do it all, as can Kevin Kiermaier and Avisail Garcia. The diversity in skill sets will help the Rays if they make it deep into the playoffs.
On the mound, Charlie Morton will get the Wild Card start, and with Cy Young winner Blake Snell behind him, the Rays have a deep playoff rotation.
The bullpen is somewhat of a mystery given how many guys the Rays have used, but you can figure to see Emilio Pagan and Oliver Drake in the back end. Nobody will know these guys’ names until they win a World Series, but that’s how it goes when you play in Tampa Bay.
OUTCOME:
Minnesota Twins
Without a doubt the biggest surprise in this playoff bracket, the Twins have had an astounding season at the plate, with the success likely to continue against the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
Nelson Cruz continues to defy age from the DH slot, and guys like Mitch Garver and Max Kepler have stepped up their power presence at the dish. Garver is a surprise, but he’s been a gold mine for the Twins.
Miguel Sano has found his swing again, and while he has cooled off Eddie Rosario is yet another power threat. They say hitting is contagious, and when a team hits 300 homers, the proof is in the pudding.
There is not much to speak of in terms of pitching for the Twins. Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi have had solid seasons, and they will likely slot in as the top arms of the playoff rotation. That No.3 spot is somewhat up for grabs, but that role will likely go to either Michael Pineda or Kyle Gibson.
The Bullpen is solid, but it remains to be seen if Trevor Rodgers can be a lights out closer when playoff games are at stake.
OUTCOME:
New York Yankees
Of all the teams in this year’s postseason, only the Dodgers can rival the Yankees pure star power.
A healthy Aaron Judge-Giancarlo Stanton duo is a power couple without comparison. D.J. LeMahieu’s offensive explosion was welcomed and playing in a small ballpark did not hurt his opposite-field tendencies. Gleybar Torres has been an offensive sparkplug with plus power all year long.
While the Yankees have had to do some platooning due to injury, the return of their big bombers in the middle of the lineup will give the lineup consistency in the postseason. Hitting over 300 homers this year, the Yankees didn’t necessarily need to have elite pitching.
C.C Sabathia demands playoff rotation consideration, but his stuff likely will not play anymore against elite hitting teams such as the Twins. We know what Luis Severino can bring, and James Paxton could very well be in the triple digits for the postseason; he will be dominant if his command holds up. Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ round out the top three with Domingo Herman done for the future.
The bullpen is elite, especially the back end that includes Aroldis Chapman, Adam Ottovino, and Zach Britton. The Yankees are solid all-around and it would be expected that the Bronx Bombers get deep into October this year.
Houston Astros
The favorite to get to the fall classic out of the American League, the Astros are as solidly built as a major league roster can be.
Gerritt Cole and Justin Verlander are two Cy Young candidates within the same rotation, and Wade Miley has been terrific under the radar this season, winning 14 games with 3.92 ERA, respectable in the American League.
The offense is lethal all the way through. From Jose Altuve to Alex Bregman to George Springer to the rookie Yordan Alvarez, there’s no telling how much damage this offense can do when the lights are shining brightest.
The Astros have as much depth as anybody in terms of their offense, and the same rings true for the bullpen. Roberto Osuna anchors a bullpen that includes Joe Smith and Will Harris.
The Astros have no excuses for not at least making it to the World Series, if not winning it all.