Wild Card Game: Los Angeles Angels (87-75) vs Boston Red Sox (88-74)
8-2 Red Sox: Whether its Otani or Richards facing Sale, the Sox have too deep of a lineup to get out pitched in Fenway Park. Chris Sale has truly found his place in Boston, and although the Angels also have a very deep lineup, pitching beats hitting.
ALDS
New York Yankees (89-73) vs Cleveland Indians (93-69)
3-2 Yankees: Possibly the most even match up of them all, this matchup will come down to momentum and big plays. With one of the most powerful lineups of the past decade including a powerful backend of the bullpen, the Yankees will most likely come up with the big plays in clutch situations, however, if it comes down to small ball, the Indians will have the edge, as Francona will out manage Boone.
Boston Red Sox (88-74) vs Houston Astros (100-62)
3-1 Astros: Despite David Price coming back into his true form, Chris Sale as the ace of the team, and JD Martinez as the new cleanup hitter, the Sox have a new manager who could get overwhelmed when facing the defending champs. The Astros have added Gerrit Cole to their already world series champion rotation and all the players in the lineup are returning, so there is just too much for the Sox to overcome when entering Minute Maid Park.
ALCS
New York Yankees (89-73) vs Houston Astros (100-62)
4-2 Yankees: Although almost every advantage points towards the Astros, nothing ever seems to go the way of the clear favorites in baseball. Plus the Yankees had a 3-2 lead over the Astros in the 2017 ALCS. The Yankees will have more momentum entering this series, as the Astros will convincingly win their division while the Yankees will be in a race the whole season. Just like the Astros who have a young manager at the helm who is a former player who helped create a player’s manager locker room that won the World Series, the Yankees now have Aaron Boone at the helm who clearly knows how to win in October.
