Major League Baseball – Playoff Preview

Hockey just concluded the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Tampa Bay beating the Dallas Stars. And now Major League Baseball seems to be the only sport playing somewhat of a normal time table.

It's October and the playoffs are here and, sadly, this is another sport where a team from Detroit is not participating after the Pistons in the NBA and the Red Wings in the NHL missed the postseason.

Here's how the MLB Baseball Playoffs will be this year: Wild Card Series best of three, followed by Division Series best of five, and League Championship is best of seven.

Teams will be playing at a neutral location after the Wild Card Series and a lot of the games are on back-to-back days.

The World Series will then start on October 20th in Arlington, Tex. at Globe Life Field.

THIS YEAR'S CONTENDERS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Tampa Bay RAYS: There must be something in the water lately in Tampa Bay after the Lightning just won the Stanley Cup. The Rays had the best record in the American League and the ended up seven games ahead of rival NY Yankees. Could be the team to beat.

Toronto BLUE JAYS: A lot of experts are predicting the AL to beat the Rays. The Tampa team has been red-hot, but I would never count them out. Tough team to beat in a short series.

Chicago WHITE SOX: The team that doesn't get any respect in Chicago has been on a losing streak to end the regular season losing eight of its last ten. That's bad momentum going into the playoffs.

Oakland A's: Another team that's hot in the American League is the A's and they ended up seven games ahead of Houston Astros. They will play the White Sox.

New York YANKEES: Is there a year when the Yankees aren't a contender? They got here by some high powered offense. Their big bats will face the strong pitching of Cleveland.

Cleveland INDIANS: Making the playoffs this year thanks to their pitching staff. We'll see how good that staff is versus the Yankees.

Minnesota TWINS: The Twin City team picks up a good match with the Houston Astros. And all the experts are predicting them to win the Wild Card Series.

Houston ASTROS: Hard to believe you can have a losing record and make the playoffs. That's what happened for Houston. If only Detroit could get so lucky. The Astros are missing their superstar pitcher Justin Verlander, and it will be hard to win without him.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Chicago CUBS: We have a lot of Cubs fans on this side of the state. Thanks to being able to hear games on WGN Radio & TV from Chicago. When the Tigers aren't in it, I'm always rooting for the Cubs.

Miami MARLINS: Congrats to Deter Jeter helping deliver a winning team to Miami. The Marlins have not been in contention for years.

LA DODGERS: LA led all of baseball with the highest percentage of wins and also led in runs, too. Not good news for the Brewers.

Milwaukee BREWERS: No one is really giving the Brewers a fighting chance. Underdogs again this year. And they face the red-hot LA Dodgers.

Atlanta BRAVES: Although Atlanta had a great record, not everyone is picking them to beat the Reds. The Braves still scored the second most runs behind LA in baseball.

Cincinnati REDS: After winning 70% of their last ten games, no one wants to play Cincy. They have good momentum heading into series with Atlanta and have a great pitching rotation, a staple of the Reds winning teams.

San Diego PADRES: The other team nobody wants to play on this side of the bracket is the Padres. They had the third best record in all of baseball.

St. Louis CARDINALS: One of the early teams to be affected by COVID-19. As as result they have played more back-to-back games after the early season cancellations. And they have to face the Padres.

Play Ball!