MLB has wrapped up the regular season and 10 teams now have a chance at winning the World Series. Will the Cubs finally win the World Series? Can the Giants win a fourth straight even year World Series? Who will win the very competitive American League?
We break down each series throughout the MLB Playoffs and predict who will be the 2016 World Series Champion.
What's Inside
National League Playoff Predictions
The Cubs are the top seed in the NL followed by the Nationals, Dodgers, Mets and Giants. The Cubs ran away from everyone else with the best record in baseball at 103-58-1 (yes they tied the Pirates last week).
NL Wild Card Game
In the National League, the MLB Postseason will start with a Wild Card game as the Mets host the Giants.
The Mets won 4 of 7 against the Giants this season. The Mets come off a World Series appearance last season while the Giants have won three straight even year World Series.
Prediction: Mets
National League Divisional Series
Cubs vs. Mets
The pressure is on the Cubs. We all know how long it’s been since the Cubs won a World Series and they have huge expectations as a 103 win team.
These two collided in the NLCS last year with the Mets just shutting the Cubs down in 4 games. Can the Cubs get revenge? The lineup this season is better but they still lost 5 of 7 to the Mets in 2016.
The Mets won’t be intimidated. They were in the World Series last year so big situations won’t shake them. Look for the Mets to take this 5 but the Cubs advance.
Prediction: Cubs in 5
Nationals vs. Dodgers
Can Kershaw come up big for the Dodgers in the playoffs? He has a lot of playoff ghosts haunting him.
The Dodgers won 5 of 6 against the Nationals this season. With no Strasburg, the Dodgers should advance.
Prediction: Dodgers in 4
National League Championship Series
Cubs vs. Dodgers
The Cubs took 4 of 7 against the Dodgers this year. The Cubs will need their starter to keep performing like they have during the regular season which was a problem last year. The Dodgers only hope to make the World Series is if Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill are lights out in the playoffs.
2016 National League Champion: Cubs in 7
American League Playoff Predictions
The Rangers got homefield advantage throughout the AL and World Series (thanks to the AL winning the All-Star game) by edging the Indians by a game. The Indians will host the Red Sox in the Divisional Series after finishing a game better.
AL Wild Card Game
The American League Wild Card game will take place in Toronto as the Blue Jays host the Orioles.
The Blue Jays and Orioles played 19 times as AL East rivals in 2016 with Toronto winning 10 of the match-ups.
Prediction: Blue Jays
American League Divisional Series
Rangers vs. Blue Jays
This is a rematch of last year’s ALDS. The Blue Jays came from behind and clinched the series in the dramatic blat flip game. The Rangers will want revenge and have homefield.
Toronto is playing well and has a pitching advantage. Look for the Blue Jays to make a return trip to the ALCS.
Prediction: Blue Jays in 5
Indians vs. Red Sox
Can Terry Francona get revenge against his former club? His Indians are the underdog after injuries have stripped the pitching staff of valuable arms from a potential playoff run.
The Red Sox took 4 of 6 against the Indians this season and would love to send David Ortiz out with a World Series ring.
Prediction: Red Sox in 4 games
American League Championship Series
Red Sox vs. Blue Jays
Two AL East team vie for a spot in the 2016 World Series as Boston faces Toronto. The Blue Jays won 10 of 19 against the Sox in 2016. This series should be tight and go 7. Look for the Red Sox to pull out game 7 at home and advance to the World Series.
2016 American League Champion: Red Sox
2016 World Series Prediction
We will crown a new World Series Champion in 2016. It’ll be the Theo Series. Theo Epstein created a World Series winner in Boston and now has the Cubs on the verge.
Is this Cubs team ready to end the curse? No. The Red Sox are the better team and will bring Boston another championship.
Prediction: Red Sox in 6
Get our data driven MLB Playoff Predictions game-by-game throughout through the World Series.
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