2017 MLB Postseason: Division Round Predictions

Here are my predictions for the divisional round of the 2017 MLB postseason.

- American League
(WC1) New York Yankees vs (1) Cleveland Indians: This is a fascinating series. The Yankees won their Wild Card game over the Minnesota Twins and have a team that can give or even win this series. Led by MVP candidate and Rookie of the Year favorite Aaron Judge, the Yanks offense is prolific. Despite a poor showing from Luis Severino in the Wild Card game, he's still the ace of a good rotation featuring Sonny Gray, Masahiro Tanaka, and CC Sabathia. The bullpen lived up to the hype by recording 26 (!!!) outs featuring Chad Green, David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, and Aroldis Chapman. Dellin Betances and Adam Warren weren't even used in that game. The Indians are also awesome offensively featuring Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Ramirez, and Francisco Lindor. Their rotation is loaded with Cy Young favorite Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Josh Tomlin, and Trevor Bauer. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen lead the way for their underrated bullpen. The possibility of Kluber pitching twice in this series is huge and I believe he will and because of that, I believe the Indians will advance to their second straight ALCS and I really can't rule out the possibility the Yankees take this series either because they're playing their best baseball of the season right now.
Prediction: Indians in five games.

(3) Boston Red Sox vs (2) Houston Astros: This should be a fun series. The Astros are loaded offensively with MVP candidate Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and George Springer. Their rotation is really good led by Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel, who theoretically can each pitch twice in this series. The bullpen isn't great as a whole but they have guys like Luke Gregerson, Chris Divenski, and Will Harris that can get big outs. The Red Sox offense has been inconsistent a lot of the season but it has a ton of potential with guys like Mookie Betts, and rookies Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers. Chris Sale leads the rotation, but the rest of the guys like Drew Pomeranz, Doug Fister, and Eduardo Rodriguez aren't great. David Price was moved to a relief role and he and closer Craig Kimbrel will be heavily relied on to get big outs out of the 'pen. That said, the combination of Verlander and Keuchel will be the difference here as the Astros will move on to the ALCS.
Prediction: Astros in five games.

- National League
Coming soon!