NLCS

WASHINGTON NATIONALS 4

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS 0

The sheer dominance by Washington was a surprise, but their win was not. They had the better record, the better Pythagorean record, better starting pitching and better hitting. They were simply the better team.

ALCS

HOUSTON ASTROS

NEW YORK YANKEES

Another unsurprising result. Houston were the favorites going in because they had the better record, the better Pythagorean record, better starting pitching and because of New York’s injuries, better hitting. However, even without those injuries helping them, Houston had the best batting average and OBP in the Majors this season, which is better in the playoffs than hitting more home runs, which was New York’s advantage over them. Speaking of some of their injuries: New York had ace Luis Severino miss most of the season and pitch few innings during the playoffs, had clean-up hitter LF Giancarlo Stanton miss most of the series, CF Aaron Hicks barely play after coming back from an injury… If all of that wasn’t bad enough, SP Domingo German was suspended for the playoffs and 1B Luke Voit was stupidly taken off the playoff roster due to a September slump (he was their #3 hitter for most of the season). All of that said, Houston won one game by a run in extra innings, and another on a walk-off 2-run home run.

WORLD SERIES

WASHINGTON NATIONALS VS HOUSTON ASTROS

Washington has a slightly better rotation, Houston has a better bullpen and lineup. Hard to say which team has the better manager. Which team will be more motivated? I suspect it will be Washington. This could potentially be a very competitive series, but I have to go with the better team.

PREDICTION: HOUSTON WINS 4-2