2020 MLB Postseason Preview

16 teams will make the postseason in 2020, if this year hasn’t already been a shitshow… First round of the playoffs are best of 3, which means there is minimal room for error in these Wild Card series. We’ve got the match ups and all 16 teams locked in to win that ‘piece of metal’ that Manfred doesn’t respect.

American League

Astros @ Twins The MLB wide hated Houston Astros (21-31) face the Minnesota Twins (36-24) at Target Field on Tuesday. We’ve got Maeda pitching against Greinke for Game 1. Maeda, who was on the 2017 Dodgers who, as we know, lost to the Astros in the WS, might have that extra motivation to win Game 1 of this series. After the news earlier this month that Verlander is going to undergo Tommy John Surgery it seems like the already struggling Astros will not be as dominate this year as they have been in the years past. Kim’s Pick: Twins in 3.

White Sox @ Athletics The Chicago White Sox (35-25) play the Oakland A’s (36-24) for the first time ever in the playoffs. If I’m being honest, the first two things that come to mind when I think of these two teams are Tim Anderson bat flips and Moneyball… honorable mentions are Giolito’s no no in August and the fact that the Coliseum is falling apart, but that’s a story for another day… Speaking of Giolito, he’s facing A’s LHP Luzardo in Game 1. Even though Chicago had a rough end of the season, Oakland also lost 9 of it’s last 17 games. Kim’s Pick: White Sox in 3.

Blue Jays @ Rays The Toronto Blue Jays (32-28) are playing the red hot Rays (40-20) in for this series. Who would have thought that the Rays were going to be he best team in the American League? Not me, that’s for sure. After playing all of their home games in Buffalo due to Covid travel restrictions, the Jays are going into Game 1 with Shoemaker on the mound against the Rays, Snell. The Blue Jays not starting their ace, Ryu in Game 1 is a direct result of him throwing 100 pitches in a game against the Yankees on Thursday. Will it affect the outcome of the series? Who knows. Kim’s Pick: Rays in 3.

Yankees @ Indians The New York Yankees (33-27) are facing Shane Bieber and the Indians (35-25) in O-H! I-O! Did I already mention triple crown winner Shane Bieber? Despite having Lemahieu, the leagues batting average champ, I think the Yankees are going to have a hard time beating the Indians, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be impossible. With the shaky Cole on the mound for Game 1, I think the Bronx Bombers are going to drop the first game of the series, but since it’s the Yankees, they’re not going down without a fight. Kim’s Pick: Yankees in 3

National League

Reds @ Braves We’ve got the Cincinnati Reds (31-29) playing the Atlanta Braves (35-25) to kick off day 2 of the 2020 baseball playoffs. The Braves have Freddie Freeman, and that’s all you really need to know. Kidding, sorta, Freeman is one of the NL MVP candidates for the 2020 season with a .341 BA, 13 home runs and 53 RBIs. Not only that, but they also have Marcell Ozuna, who has a .338 BA, 18 home runs and 56 RBIs for 2020. That being said, the Reds Game 1 starter is Trevor Bauer, a Cy Young candidate for this season. Me being a Dodger fan, Bauer is my favorite Reds player simply because of his attempt to wear the “FREE JOE KELLY”cleats back in August. As long as I’ve been watching baseball, the Reds have never really been a threat… I don’t think this year will be any different. Kim’s Pick: Braves in 3.

Marlins @ Cubs The Miami Marlins (31-29) take on the Chicago Cubs (34-26) after what was a whirlwind start for Miami. If you asked me at the beginning of the season if the Marlins were actually going to play 60 games I would have laughed right in your face, well as much as I can while still social distancing. Which apparently the Marlins couldn’t do at the beginning of the season. Despite that rocky start, the Marlins ended the season with a winning record. With Chicago losing 6 of their final 9 games of the season, could that mean they won’t get hot to have a strong postseason? We’ve got Hendricks on the mound for the Cubs and Alcantara for the Marlins in the Windy City for Game 1. My choice is hard, and I think at least one game in the series will go extra innings. Kim’s Pick: Cubs in 3.

Cardinals @ Padres The St. Louis Cardinals (30-28) head down to Petco Park to take on the San Diego Padres (37-23). The Cardinals didn’t complete a full season due to Covid-19 outbreaks within the organization, playing multiple (11) double headers but still managed to finish tied for second in the NL central based on win percentage. The Padres got the nickname “Slam Diego” for the amount of grand slams they hit in a short span of games. They had Tatis Jr get hot for a quick minute there, but their starting pitching has taken a hit during the last week of the season. Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger left the September 23rd game against the Angels after throwing a 1-2-3 first inning with a sprained elbow. Then just two days later Dinelson Lamet left a game against the San Francisco Giants with reported bicep tightness. To me, this match up could go either way, the Cards have Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina and Paul Goldschmidt who all have notable career highlights over their years in MLB. Kim’s Pick: Cardinals in 3.

Brewers @ Dodgers The Milwaukee Brewers (29-31) come to hang around the Hollywood Lifestyle to take on MLB’s best team of this 60 game season, the Los Angeles Dodgers (43-17). There is no doubt that the Dodgers are dominate this season. The 8 time National League West Champs are hungry for a World Series Championship. The Brewers recently lost starting pitcher Corbin Burnes and their star player Christian Yelich isn’t doing so hot with his .205 BA. But in the debate of Belli VS Yeli, Belli isn’t dominating in the batting average category with a .239 BA this season either. The Dodgers have Corey Seager batting .307. While they also have Mookie Betts and A.J. Pollock with 16 home runs a piece this season. The Brewers have given the Dodgers a challenge in previous playoff series, but the 2020 Brewers just don’t present that fight this year. Kim’s Pick: Dodgers in 2.

There you have it, those are my picks and predictions for the 2020 Postseason. I can’t wait to see who comes out on the other side. Buckle up, kids!