1) Tigers Flip the Script On the Surging Guardians
The Wild Card series is many things. One of those “things” is short. You only need to win two out of three games to advance. The problem with this take is that Detroit has been unwatchable lately, and the Guardians are playing like the best team in baseball. My thought process is simple. The Tigers have Tarik Skubal to lean on for Game 1, and I think he is that much of an X-Factor to go out and get a win. From there, Detroit would need to win just one of the next two, and you know they are going to throw the house at Cleveland in what I imagine to be a strategic bullpen game.
2) Cubs Get Swept by the Padres in the Wild Card Series
Chicago might be outmatched and outgunned in this Wild Card showdown. Chicago’s starting rotation is going to have a massive problem on its hands with San Diego’s lineup. The Padres are ranked within the top 10 of multiple hitting categories across the league and are sporting the 7th-best Average (.252) and the 9th-best OBP (.321) in all of baseball. Additionally, this team does not strike out very often. Put them down for the 3rd fewest strikeouts as a team in the majors. Do I even need to talk about San Diego’s lethal bullpen?
3) Blue Jays Fall Short of Expectations and Lose in the Divisional Round
Drawing the winner of the Red Sox/Yankees series is not a reward, especially in a weaker American League. Not to mention all three of these teams play in the same division year-round. Needless to say, these teams are very familiar with each other. I don’t think this is the easiest draw for Toronto, which earned the #1 seed in the American League. I think both Boston and New York can take care of business against Toronto, which leads me to believe they won’t go far this year.
4) Dodgers Are Eliminated in the Divisional Round by Philadelphia
Los Angeles has simply not lived up to the hype from the offseason. There is no doubt this team is super talented and could win a World Series this year, but the issue is that the Dodgers have not sold me that they will. There are many reasons why they did not have the stellar year everyone anticipated; the main reason is health. Several members of the club have spent time on the injured list this season, and the Dodgers never really went on a bender. They were just consistently good all year long. Philadelphia will be waiting for Los Angeles (should they beat Cincinnati in the WC!), and will have home-field advantage against whoever makes it out of the Wild Card. I think Philadelphia will be ready and take advantage of a Dodgers team with a shaky bullpen.
5) Yankees Win the American League Pennant
If you listened to the latest episode of the podcast, I am all in on the Yankees. I know I am setting myself up for heartbreak, but why not? The Yankees were in the World Series last year. They tied the Blue Jays in overall record and could have just as easily been the #1 seed on the American League side of the bracket. The Yankees’ rotation is deeper than people give it credit for. The lineup is disgusting when all the pistons are firing. They have Aaron Judge, who is having an incredible year and is a strong candidate to win the MVP in 2025. Hard for me to bet against my own team. Sorry!
6) Max Fried Wins the ALCS MVP
If the Yankees are to win the American League Pennant, I should have an insurance policy out on Judge’s performance. Aaron Judge does not have good career stats in the playoffs, so I am picking Max Fried, the Yankees’ best pitcher. Fried has been nasty in 2025 and has been especially sharp as of late. Across the last month, Fried has pitched to a 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 35 K, 5 Wins, and 4 Quality Starts in 33 ⅓ innings.
7) Phillies Win the National League Pennant
It just feels right. The Brewers are an excellent ball club, but they lack star power. The Dodgers have not been everything I expected this year, and the Padres just don’t seem like the pick. Philadelphia has all the tools needed to win in October, and I think that with Schwarber heading to free agency, this is really the last chance for Philadelphia to put it all together (with this current squad).
8) Bryce Harper Wins the NLCS MVP
Playoff Bryce Harper Stats:
.280 AVG | 54 H | 17 HR | 34 RBI | 41 R | 53 G
Enough Said…
9) Yankees Win The World Series
I know, I know. I am a biased idiot. The Yankees are hungry to avenge their embarrassing World Series loss from last season, and have the roster to do it. Will this lineup stay hot? Will Aaron Judge change the narrative of his playoff performances? I think so.
10) Aaron Judge Wins World Series MVP
If the Yankees actually do win a World Series, I can’t see them doing it without Judge being a monster. Regular season and World Series MVP in the same year, Cooperstown seems imminent.