AL Playoff Prediction

Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers

The Red Sox are coming into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams as they needed a late push to just get into the playoffs. They finish the year at 12-8 and was a lock for me to hit the over on the year. Thanks for the money, Ed! The Tigers are battling some late injuries that include the big loss of Trevor Bauer, Jake Lamb, Lance McCullers, Sean Dolittle, Brandon McCarthy, and Arodys Vizcaino. Tigers still have the pieces to go all the way, but those were some big blows at their chances. Losing Bauer will be tough and for that reason Boston has the mental advantage as they having nothing to lose attitude versus the 1 loss Tigers.

Mental Advantage: Boston Red Sox

Starting Pitching

For Boston, to keep the morale up, they have their ace on the mound twice this week going up against the Cubs and the Giants. Might not be the best 2 match ups, but If Thor could get 50, it’s a huge boost. German Marquez gets his best match up of the week going up against the Padres and that would be a huge play if Ed can take home the win this week. Julio Tehran and Clay Bucholz are getting the double start for the Tigers this week and I do trust Tehran, but even with the steady play from Clay, I do not trust him versus that Dodgers offense, which could cancel out any good performance from his 1st start of the week. Heany, Mikolas, and Harvey all have match ups against playoff caliber teams, while Tyler Anderson has the best match up going up against the Padres. Overall, I think the pitching comes out pretty even both sides so I cannot give the advantage to anyone here.

SP Advantage: Nobody

Relief Pitching

Cody Allen, Betances, Hector Rondon vs. Kirby Yaes, Jose Alvarado, and Jace Fry. Just by look, you can tell Boston has the advantage. If Boston can get a solid 15-20 from each guy, winning percentage goes through the roof because I don’t believe Alvarado or Jace Fry can put up numbers like that.

RP Advantage: Boston Red Sox

Hitting

Jake Lamb and kind of Dexter Fowler is the only real losses for the Tigers hitting and the lineup looks playoff ready with the big hitters of Goldy, Dozier, Correa, Haniger, and Tommy Pham as of late. The hitting if it gets hot is one of the best in the league and could win them this game. For Boston, they don’t have the same type of star power, but do have guys that put up good points from week to week that includes Jose Martinez, Eugenio Suarez, Xander Boagerts, Ender Inciarte, and Jonanthon Schoop. I think Red Sox will put up a good amount of points, but I don’t think it comes close to what the Tigers will put up this week.

Hitting Advantage: Detroit Tigers

Final Score Boston Red Sox 281.5 Detroit Tigers – 268.5

I think this game is down to the wire, but the difference in this match up will be the bullpens as I see Red Sox outscoring the Tigers in the bullpen by more than 20 points. You heard it here first.

Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees

A match up for the ages as they face off for the 3rd time in 3 years in the playoffs. The first year was in the ALCS, where the Mariners won and went onto win the World Series. The following year, the Yankees won the match up and lost to the Champion, Washington Nationals. This is the first time facing in the ALDS and they are as even as it gets. Mariners are returning Mike Trout and Brandon Nimmo from injuries, while Yankees have lost Stroman, Abreu, Ozuna, Solarte, and Stripling before the playoffs. Even with the Yankees winning the past 2 match ups, mental edge goes to Mariners as getting Trout back into the lineup is a huge win and should give the boost the Mariners need for a championship run.

Mental Advantage: Seattle Mariners

Starting Pitching

For Starting pitching, it should be an even 7 for each side and the double start is Carlos Rodon versus Ivan Nova. Pretty even for the both of them with Rodon having a bit of worse match ups having to go up against the Yankees and Red Sox. Mariners have some tough starts with Hendricks versus Phillies, Urena versu the Red Sox, and possibly Leblanc versus Oakland. Yankees don’t have it easy as well with Leake versus Oakland and Rich Hill against the Dbacks. It will be even once again since Verlander against Kluber is going to be a big deal on who can score more and since that will be tough to predict, I see the pitching to be even.

SP Advantage: Nobody

Relief Pitching

Like most of you know already, little research is going into this prediction. Im strictly seeing name recognition when its Familia, Osuna, and Tepera versus Joakim Soria, Will Smith, and Adam Ottavino. Even if Will Smith is the coolest name and is getting Jiggy with it, Yankees still have the power names. Familia is no longer getting saves, but should be a big factor in this week as well as Osuna now getting save chances. Tepera has good match ups this week against the Orioles and the Royals. For the other side, Soria and Ottavino have good match ups, which will get their hold chances way up. As even as I think that is, Yankees get the kick based on the big names.

Relief Pitching Advantage: New York Yankees

Hitting

Seattle is full of big name hitters and the return of Mike Trout hasn’t gone unnoticed. I don’t think he skips a beat even with the tough match ups against the Rockies and Astros. The other star power is there now with the newly discovered Daniel Murphy, LeMahieu, Nimmo, Jackie Bradley, Aguilar, Justin Turner, Jed Lowrie, and Jean Segura. The list can go on, but all the hitting is there for a championship team. For the Yankees, half of their all stars are sitting on the DL that includes Solarte (Not an all-star, I know), Jose Abreu, and Marcell Ozuna. The hitting is still pretty damn good for the Empire with Wilson Ramos, Jose Altuve, Jose Ramiez, Matt Olson, David Perelta, and Ian Desmond. There are some weaker spots in the lineup that will get exposed in the playoffs that you might not see in the regular season. Guys like Ian Happ, Cedric Mullins, and David Fletcher could cost the Yankees a win this week, but only time will tell.

Advantage: Seattle Mariners

Final Score Seattle Mariners – 301.5 New York Yankees – 288.5