So, let's see what we have in store...
American League:
By virtue of their Sunday Drive mentality over the past several weeks, the Rangers are Wild Card #1 hosting one the incredible stories in the AL this year - the Orioles (Wild Card #2).
The winner of this game gets the pleasure of playing the Yankees. Because of the new format, the Yankees will actually be traveling the first two games. With games 3/4/5 at the New Yankee Stadium.
On the other side of the AL, the other surprise team in the AL, the Oakland A's, will be traveling to Detroit to face Miguel Cabrera (Mr. Triple Crown) and the Tigers for a couple games before heading back out west for a 3 game set in Oakland.
For all of these teams, they have pretty much been playing playoff baseball for the last 2 weeks. O's and Yankees have been fighting for the AL East (really), the Tigers were in 2nd place heading into September and the A's pretty much had to be perfect to catch the Rangers. Will it tire them out?
National League:
Well, we have the Cardinals flying to Atlanta for Wild Card game tomorrow night. It will be interesting to see who pitches for both...
This winner out of Atlanta will get to play the best-record-in-MLB Nationals. Again, because of the format this year, the Nats will be traveling for the first two games before heading home to have the first post-season in DC since 1933. (Even the Cubs have played post-season ball since then.)
The other side of the NL pits the SF Giants against the Cincinnati Reds with the Reds flying to the west coast for Game 1 & 2 before playoff games at Great American BallPark. Both teams wrapped up their divisions early and easily.
While not being nearly as climactic as the Junior League, there was a little excitement in watching the Reds and Nationals fight for best record in baseball. While almost every team in the NL playoffs have great home/road records, the new format might be a nice benefit for the Cardinals. They have the same home record as Reds/Nats (50-31), but as compared to the others, an abysmal road record (38-43). Why could they benefit from the new format? If they beat Atlanta (remember - 1 game playoff), then the next two games are home for the Cardinals. Last year's magic from St Louis might not be done yet...
My predictions:
AL
Wild Card: Rangers... I love what Showalter has managed to do this year, BUT the O's magic can only carry so far.
Round 1: Rangers/Yankees: this may turn out to be a slugfest. I think the Yankees take 'em this year.
Round 1: Tigers/A's: Sorry... I felt the Tigers were the team to beat this year and I still do...
AL Championship: Yankees/Tigers - yep: Tigers
NL
Wild Card: Cardinals/Braves: Braves at home. If they get to the 8th with a lead, Kimbrel is unhittable...
Round 1: Braves/Nationals: This may be one of the best series of the playoffs. Nats should win, but they only took the season series 10-8. Strasburg won't be there (they say). Nats in 5...
Round 1: Giants/Reds: This may seem like a homer pick, but I just don't see the Giants offense doing enough againt one of the better pitching groups in the NL (yes, the Reds, Virginia). Game one will be fun to watch with Cain v/s Cueto. Reds in 4.
NL Championship: Nats/Reds. OK - I admit here an now - THIS is a homer pick. Reds in a sweep...
World Series: Tigers/Reds - I just don't know...
