Sox-Yankees ALWC-
Yankees
(If this were the first half Red Sox who could follow Eovaldi with innings from Whitlock, Taylor, Ottavino and Barnes, that would be one thing. All those first half wins count, and I'm glad they are recognized with a postseason berth, but the current team has too few reliable relievers and too many DHs to really be favored against any of the playoff teams. Could they win anyway? Sure — it's baseball, and there's a ton of talent on the roster. But just as there are reasons that Boston won seven straight against NY in the first half, there are reasons that the season series balanced back out in the second half. Do the Yankees have question marks? Sure, but Boston's presumptive starting second baseman is 1/9 with a BB and 3 K since July.)
Dodgers-Cardinals NLWC-
Dodgers
This Cardinals team just finished the year by losing a series to the Cubs.
Astros-White Sox ALDS-
White Sox in 5
This is a tough one to call. Both of these teams have deep lineups and deeper rotations, but Greinke's been terrible and the White Sox look to have an edge in the pen.
Tampa-NY ALDS-
Tampa in 3
Tampa is just so, so good. Does Shane Baz get a start?
Braves-Brewers NLDS-
Brewers in 4
The Braves look well-built for October, but that Brewers' rotation is really something.
Giants-Dodgers NLDS-
Dodgers in 4
I would strongly prefer the Giants, but the Belt injury hurts and these Dodgers are just so deep. They routinely put lineups together with seven hitters with OPS+ >120.
Tampa-Chicago ALCS-
Chicago in 7
I think Chicago's more traditional deep rotation favors the White Sox in a longer series. In 5, it might well be Tampa Bay.
Brewers-Dodgers NLCS-
Dodgers in 5
Unless the Brew Crew rotation can really smother the Dodgers, Betts should win the minor league roommate NLCS against Bradley.
Chicago-Los Angeles MLBWS
White Sox in 6
But I dunno, these White Sox just seem legit to me. They're like if the 2013 Tigers had a bullpen.
