Griff's Wildcard Series Previews
Griff's Wildcard Series Previews
Four MLB Playoff series underway Tuesday
Oct. 1-2-3 Detroit Tigers (86-76) @ Houston Astros (88-73)
Game 1 @ Minute Maid Park 2:32 p.m.
Probables: LHP Tarik Skubal vs. LHP Framber Valdez
How Tigers win series: Skubal is the consensus AL Cy Young Award winner and the best pitcher in this series. If the Tigers can scrape up enough runs with a young offence to win G1, then the bullpen is strong and deep enough to win one of the next two and take the series. MGR A.J. Hinch is returning to the scene of the crime when he was skipper of the sign-stealing ‘17 Astros.
How Astros win series: Both these teams started slowly and came storming from off the pace to qualify for the post-season. The Astros under rookie MGR Joe Espada have a much deeper starting rotation, led by Valdez and better hitters, top to bottom. It could come down to former Jays LHP Yusei Kikuchi. The Astros have DH Yordan Alvarez and are more experienced in post-season.
Blue Jays Connections: Astros – GM Dana Brown, LHP Yusei Kikuchi, RHP Kendall Graveman (IL)
Griff’s Predicted Winner: Tigers
Oct. 1-2-3 Kansas City Royals (86-76) @ Baltimore Orioles (91-71)
Game 1 @ Orioles Park at Camden Yards 4:08 p.m.
Probables: LHP Cole Ragans vs. RHP Corbin Burnes
How Royals win: Need to ride exuberance and talent of SS Bobby Witt Jr. and experience and leadership of C Sal Perez. The Royals are a Blue Jays role model moving forward in showing what can be accomplished in one off-season. Big off-season additions were veteran starters RHP Seth Lugo and RHP Michael Wacha, but it’s the bullpen that does not match up to the Royals glory years.
How O’s win: Will win by outscoring their opponent. The front office choked at the trade deadline and the O’s have struggled ever since. The bullpen replacements and the rotation additions at the end of July did not work out, so it’s on the shoulders of RF Anthony Santander, SS Gunnar Henderson, C Adley Rutschman and the rest.
Blue Jays Connections: Royals - SS Paul DeJong; O’s – CCH Anthony Sanders, PxP Ben Wagner
Griff’s Predicted Winner: O’s
Oct. 1-2-3 New York Mets (89-73) @ Milwaukee Brewers (93-69)
Game 1 @ American Family Field 5:32 p.m.
Probables: RHP Luis Severino vs. RHP Freddy Peralta
How Mets win: The momentum of the Mets wild stretch run that culminated in the DH Game 1 win on Monday at Atlanta gave them the easier path, now through the Brewers. They have to take advantage and ride the most important player in their lineup, SS Francisco Lindor, who still needs a little help. Severino in Game 1 is ultra-important, but the sometimes-shaky bullpen needs to close games out.
How Brewers win: This division has belonged to the Brew Crew for so long…and we know how that can affect playoff teams when they have to ramp up the intensity again. SS Willy Adames and DH Rhys Hoskins will be key in showing their less experienced teammates the way. RH Trevor Megill and RH Devin Williams need help from middle relief to bridge them a lead into the 8th.
Blue Jays Connections: NYM – LHP Danny Young, RHP Sean Reid-Foley (IL), CCH John Gibbons; CCH Danny Barnes; Brewers – CCH Jason Lane, RHP Joel Payamps
Griff’s Predicted Winner: Mets
Oct. 1-2-3 Atlanta Braves (89-73) @ San Diego Padres (93-69)
Game 1 @ Petco Park 8:38 p.m.
Probables: LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Michael King
How Braves win: The fact that they even reached this point is amazing, given the litany of injuries this season. The fact that they did not have to use LH Chris Sale or LH Max Fried in the Monday doubleheader is equally important. Tough task playing a stressful two games in Atlanta then flying across the country to take on the people’s pick to click, the Padres at their rocking home park. G1 is essential.
How Padres win: The pitching additions have been key to putting the Padres in a position where they were chasing the Dodgers for the division. King (Yankees) and RH Dylan Cease (White Sox) are key rotation acquisitions, as were LH Tanner Scott (Marlins) and RH Jason Adam (Rays) in the bullpen. So many mercenary veterans in this lineup that have been to the post-season and understand what’s needed.
Blue Jays Connections: Braves – GM Alex Anthopoulos, CCH Kevin Seitzer, CCH Sal Fasano, 3B Gio Urshela, UT Whit Merrifield, C Travis d’Arnaud, RHP Jesse Chavez, LHP Angel Perdomo (IL), TRAINER George Poulis; Padres – CCH Tim Leiper, CCH Mike McCoy, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Jason Adam, IF Mason McCoy (IL).
Griff’s Predicted Winner: Padres
Summary of Predicted WC winners: Tigers, Orioles, Mets, Padres.