The Athletic reports on it live MLB Wild Card Series.
The postseason begins with no clear favorite as MLB ended the regular season with out a 100-game winner for the primary time since 2014. Every team seemingly has a path to a title, and each team also seems to have a flaw as big as Death Star. So who will take home the trophy at the top of the playoff marathon? Our human resources experts share their predictions:
World Series Winner Predictions
Andy McCullough (Houston): They have the perfect starting rotation. They have a championship core. That's what the Astros do.
Will Sammon (Philadelphia): Their lineup stays as impressive as any. Their rotation includes enough starters that opposing teams don't need to see in a vital game. Oh, and additionally they created a bullpen stuffed with variety, depth, and talent.
Fabian Ardaya (Houston): I mean, they've gotten it so far. And once the Astros get included within the dance, they have an inclination to go far.
C Trent Rosecrans (Cleveland): They don't have the most well liked team, but they only do every part right. They are death by a thousand paper cuts. They are a team that doesn't make big mistakes, but forces their opponents to achieve this.
Eno Sarris (San Diego): Excellent starters, a handful of great backup players, a lineup that not only makes contact but does so with power: All of that makes the Padres fun.
Andrew Baggarly (Philadelphia): My gut feeling wants me to select the Padres because they’ve dominant starters, a deep and mean bullpen, and a star-studded lineup. But the Phillies have all of that and possibly more — plus the perfect home-field advantage in the foremost leagues. Ring the bell.
Jen McCaffrey (Philadelphia): They are deep and experienced. It looks like it's their 12 months to finally get all of it together.
Keith Law (Philadelphia): They are nearly fully healthy and have quality hitters and pitchers who will make a difference within the limited postseason schedule.
Stephen J. Nesbitt (Philadelphia): There isn’t any perfect team this postseason. But the Phillies come closer than anyone else. They have a well-rounded lineup, a rotation led by Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler, and a bullpen with a number of the sickest stuff in the game. They are capable of get on board quickly and hold on.
Sam Blum (Cleveland): Bullpens win games within the playoffs. And there's no higher bullpen than Cleveland's.
Chad Jennings (Philadelphia): If the Phillies aren't going to win, what’s their fatal flaw? For the Dodgers, it's their crazy rotation. For the Yankees, it's a skinny bullpen and an uncertain bottom-place finish. For the Astros, injuries have weakened their outfield and robbed them of several starting pitchers. But the Phillies don’t have any obvious weakness. Their pitching staff contains a legitimate ace, a four-deep rotation, and an elite bullpen. Their lineup can run from top to bottom, hit home runs, and rating in a wide range of ways. Manager Rob Thomson is a battle-tested veteran with a gradual hand.
They have been close the last two seasons. This is the 12 months they win all of it.
Chandler Rome (San Diego): The Padres are probably the most complete team in sports.
Zack Meisel (San Diego): AJ Preller's crazy actions and actions are finally paying off. The Padres have the pitching and barely enough offense to get it done.
Kaitlyn McGrath (Philadelphia): At one point this season, it looked just like the Phillies would have the perfect record in baseball. That didn't occur, but despite their inconsistent play, there was never any serious doubt that the Phillies wouldn't make it. The Phillies have been a significant presence within the postseason for just a few years now and it looks like it's finally time for Bryce Harper to guide all of them the best way.
David O'Brien (Philadelphia): It's their time, as almost the identical group of veterans have had multiple runs together on this thing.
Sahadev Sharma (San Diego): They appear to be probably the most balanced team. The defense isn't great, but the remainder is well above average.
Patrick Mooney (Philadelphia): A star-studded squad for the postseason.
Noah Furtado (Los Angeles): You have Shohei Ohtani.
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