2018 MLB Playoffs: Wild Card Game Predictions

Here are my predictions on how the 2018 MLB Playoff Wild Card games will play out.

National League
(WC2) Colorado Rockies vs (WC1) Chicago Cubs- 8:00, ESPN: This should be a fun game between these two squads. Breakout pitcher Kyle Freeland takes the bump for the Rockies and Jon Lester, who's pitched and thrived in big games throughout his career, goes for the Cubbies. The Rockies offense is loaded led by MVP candidates Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. The Cubs offense has been inconsistent throughout the year, but that's due to some injuries and underperformances by key players. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, and Wilson Contreras have all played in big games in their careers so the experience in a big spot, especially against an inexperienced big game pitcher in Freeland will help. The Cubs get closer Pedro Strop back in their bullpen for the playoffs so that should help them. The Rockies have a lot of guys in their pen that's pitched in big games, but some of them have down years such as Bryan Shaw and even Wade Davis didn't have his best season. That said, the Cubs have the big game pitcher in Lester and being at Wrigley at night is a bonus rather than Wrigley during the day. Give me the Cubs to set up a big match with the Brewers.

Prediction: Cubs 4, Rockies 3.

American League
(WC2) Oakland Athletics vs (WC1) New York Yankees- 8:00, TBS: This should be a fun wild card match as well. The A's are going to go with an opener in Liam Hendricks to start and then will roll out their bullpen featuring the likes of Lou Trivino, Fernando Rodney, Jeryus Familia, and lockdown closer Blake Trienen. The Yankees are starting Luis Severino, who's been bad in the second half of the season after looking like the Cy Young favorite the first few months. They could have started JA Happ, who's been awesome in the second half of the season or Masahiro Tanaka, who's pitched well in big spots in the past. It looks like Severino will have a short leash and than they'll go to their pen that's the best in the game led by Chad Green, David Robertson, Dellin Betances, Zach Britton, and Aroldis Chapman. With the A's you have the likes of Khris Davis, Matt Chapman, and Matt Olson in their lineup, which has mashed on the road all year. The Yankee lineup mashed at home most of the season and their offense is among the best in the game led by the likes of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Didi Gregorius. The difference in this game is Yankee Stadium with the ruckus crowd and the Yanks offensive depth. Don't forget the fact the fact the A's rosters lack of big game experience too. Yanks get the win and move on to face their arch rival Red Sox.

Prediction: Yankees 7, Athletics 3.