The Sportsletter’s Picks, Predictions & Previews for the Divisional Round
October is well underway in the MLB Playoffs, and the Divisional Series throws out the first pitch in just a few hours. The American League features two heavyweights against two underdogs while the National League delivers divisional rivalries between teams who know each other all too well. Here’s a collection of our picks, predictions and things to watch as the LDS begins today.
Phillies vs. Braves: The NL East rivals from Philly and Atlanta square off in the NLDS after playing 19 times in 2022. The Braves held the head-to-head advantage (11-8), but the Phillies are hot. Philadelphia will only have Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler for one game each, which means they’ll need to find a win elsewhere to pull off the best-of-5 upset. Braves bats from Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley and William Contreras will be the key. Contreras has four homers against the Phillies this season — more than any other opponent. On the other end, Philly bats have played well against Atlanta pitchers Max Fried and Charlie Morton this season. The Braves are the defending champs while the Phillies are playing with house money. Prediction: Braves in 5
Padres vs. Dodgers: The NL West showdown pits league’s top team against their younger brothers in California. The Dodgers won 22 more games than the Padres this season, and they pounded San Diego head-to-head (15-4). Los Angeles is also set to start Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw in Games 1 and 2. The Padres’ young core should make things interesting, but without Fernando Tatis Jr., things look bleak. San Diego will start Mike Clevinger and Yu Darvish in the first two games, but they’ll need more magic from Joe Musgrove to upend the top team. It’s a tall task. Prediction: Dodgers in 4
Mariners vs. Astros: The AL showcase between the Astros and Mariners might be America’s favorite series. It’s the big boys from Houston — who still have some hatred dating back to 2017 — against the feel-good story of the 2022 playoffs. The Mariners ended the longest playoff drought in American professional sports (21 years). Seattle is also the only MLB team to have never appeared in the World Series. Sadly, the Astros have more firepower, and they’re leading with Justin Verlander in Game 1. Once the series gets to T-Mobile Park in Seattle, anything can happen. It’ll be the Astros against the world, and Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez can flip the switch. Seattle might not have enough, though. Houston won the season head-to-head in 19 matchups (12-7). Prediction: Astros in 4
Guardians vs. Yankees: Cleveland has been a great story in 2022, rallying late in the season to run away with the AL Central, but heading into the Bronx under playoff pressure is a different beast. The Yankees were once baseball’s most-feared team. They still might be. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have all the juice to rock the stout Guardians bullpen. New York will run with Gerrit Cole in Game 1 against Cal Quantrill. Advantage, Yankees. New York won five out of six games against Cleveland during the season, and they outscored them 38-14. Expect more of the same in this matchup nightmare of a series. Prediction: Yankees in 4
Today’s Schedule
NLDS Gm 1: Phillies at Braves (Tues. 1:07 pm ET)
ALDS Gm 1: Mariners at Astros (Tues. 3:37 pm ET)
ALDS Gm 1: Guardians at Yankees (Tues. 7:37 pm ET)
NLDS Gm 1: Padres at Dodgers (Tues. 9:37 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
CBS Sports: X-Factors That Could Decide the LDS
MLB: The Keys to Victory in Each Division Series
NBC Sports: Guardians Pitcher Nick Sandlin Done for Postseason With Shoulder Strain
