It’s Monday so we have fresh Power Rankings and maybe my best YouTube thumbnail to date?
Bordering is important guys but not the point of the blog.
We’re not repeating 538 simulations or cherry picking vegas odds.
It’s a sincere effort based on what we think from what we’ve seen.
Some observations (full list below):
- The best series in the playoffs should be the ALCS.
It’s been a roller coaster of a year trying to plot the Orioles against their pitching.
The Orioles are the #1 team but the Astros are still the boogeyman.
A perfect world has them needing 7 games to decide the AL World Series representative.
In that case, I’m absolutely taking the Orioles in a historic late-inning duel based purely on instinct.
- The biggest discrepancy between our rankings and experts will be the Dodgers.
We have them 7th best odds to win the WS based purely on their lack of starting pitching.
They have such limited options from an already thin staff.
It would take 6+ runs a game from their lineup in back-to-back 7-game series to win a World Series.
- Opposite that - the Brewers starters + closer combination have them 4th.
They’re a nightmare matchup for the Dbacks and the Dodgers.
We like them in the NLCS a whole lot, which is the winner of the Braves/Phillies/Marlins quadrant.
Maybe the Braves get knocked out early again?
That’s pretty favorable, all things considered.
Same jerseys down to the name on the back.
- Camden Yards should be an impossible venue for opposing pitchers.
Anything less will be personally disappointing given the suckfest Orioles fans hosted all summer.
- I have no idea what to think of the Rays/Rangers series but it’s my #1 regardless.
Klemmer hammers this point repeatedly.
They’re in big trouble - but are the Rays that much better right now?
On paper, yes.
In playoff practice, not really.
- The Worst World Series we could dream up is Marlins vs.
Twins based on ratings and general interest.
There’s a less than 1% chance of that happening, but still worth acknowledging.
- The Diamondbacks have the hardest path to the WS but are better equipped than the Marlins.
If that makes sense.
I couldn’t update the graphic template but it’s
10.
Like the late 90’s Yankees.
That’s the gap between them and everybody else.
