Well. Not much has changed since last time.
The only thing that’s changed is that the fact that both Division Series are over. The results are exactly what I predicted.
We all knew Cleveland had no shot at beating Houston in the ALDS. Getting wins by beating shitty teams all season long does not equal postseason success, and the Indians learned that the hard way in 2018 (especially against the defending champions). Their 71-year long losing streak continues.
In the Bronx, where the Yankees hit zero home runs in the ALDS, Boston came, they saw, and they conquered. They outscored the Yankees in this series 27–14, scoring more runs in one game than the Yankees did the entire series (cough, 16–1, cough). Both their defense and offense were on point, unlike the Yankees, whose strategy was “hit for homers, nothing else”. This team was either hitting the long ball or striking out, and for most of this series, it was the latter. Now, during their offseason, they get to watch their rivals continue to strengthen in the postseason.
Compared to the ALDS, not much exciting happened in the NLDS. The Brewers swept the Rockies, putting a disappointing end to “Rocktober”, even after the mayor of Denver officially made the month of October “Rocktober” (even if this is not official, we still like it). Exactly 1,388 miles away, the Dodgers finished up business in SunTrust Park, defeating the Braves and their apparently racist fans in four games.
All this means my prediction bracket remained the same from last time, which means I’ve predicted accurately thus far (in terms of the Division Series winners and losers, of course). The Astros will face the Red Sox in the ALCS, and the Dodgers will face the Brewers in the NLCS. I still predict that the Red Sox will beat the Astros, although given the talent of both teams, I could see that going both ways.
I’m still sticking with my pick for the Brewers to win the Pennant, making them the second team in MLB to have both an AL and NL Pennant (the Astros became the first last year). But seeing how the Dodgers’ power has increased during the postseason, I could also see that going both ways.
It pains me to predict the World Series champions to be the Red Sox, it really does. But let’s face it, if they get past the Astros, whichever National League team makes it to the Series is not going to beat the Sox, period. It’s just not happening. Even if the Astros beat the Sox and make it to the Series, no National League team is getting through them. Basically, the chances of a NL team winning the World Series is about less than one percent at this point.
If you’re new here, after each postseason series, I will write a new article with an updated bracket. There’s already been three, and this is the fourth, so if you’re not following my series of articles on this, I suggest you check out the first three articles to see my original predictions. Also, I’m hosting the official 2018 MLB playoffs bracket on Challonge, which will be complete when the playoffs are complete, of course. It will even contain exact scores from each game, so check that out now.
As they say, it ain’t over ‘till it’s over.
And that’s especially true in the great sport of baseball.
Chris is a writer and publisher who travels America, and loves doing it. He also loves pizza, video games, and sports, and can tell you a thing or two about each. Follow him on Medium to be informed of new articles.
