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2012 MLB Baseball Postseason Predictions
Major League Baseball divisional round begins Saturday

  

American League

(3) Detroit Tigers vs. (2) Oakland Athletics

The Tigers were looked at as a huge disappointment for the majority of the season, but they certainly peaked at the right time. Miguel Cabrera led the team offensively, winning the Triple Crown. He hit .330, 44 HRs, and 139 RBIs. As far as pitching goes, the Tigers have the best in the game in Justin Verlander.

The A’s are a miracle team that reminds a lot of people of the movie and book Moneyball. Will the A’s pull off the miracle? What makes this team different than those teams is that despite what people like to say, they do have a few stars. Coco Crisp for instance was once thought of as the best table setter in the game. He has revived his career with 39 stolen bases. Josh Reddick is also no slouch with 32 home runs. Yoenis Cespedes is a five-tool player, which are hard to come by. All that said, the Tigers have too much firepower as well as the better pitching.

Detroit Tigers in five


Game One - Saturday, October 6 - Oakland at Detroit, 6:07 p.m.
Game Two - Sunday, October 7 - Oakland at Detroit, 12:07 p.m.
Game Three - Tuesday, October 9 - Detroit at Oakland, 9:07 p.m.
*Game Four - Wednesday, October 10 - Detroit at Oakland, TBA
*Game Five - Thursday, October 11 - Detroit at Oakland, TBA
 * - If necessary

 

(1) New York Yankees vs. (5) Baltimore Orioles

the Yankees have been playing well down the stretch because Ichiro has caught fire. He has been moved to the 2-hole, which has led to a more consistent offensive production from the team as a whole. This, in turn, also allows the pitchers to relax more. This will be another tight series, but the Yankees will pull it off.

New York Yankees in five.


Game One - Sunday, October 7 - New York at Baltimore, 6:15 p.m.
Game Two - Monday, October 8 - New York at Baltimore, 8:07 p.m.
Game Three - Wednesday, October 10 - Baltimore at New York, TBA
*Game Four - Thursday, October 11 - Baltimore at New York, TBA
*Game Five - Friday, October 12 - Baltimore at New York, TBA
* - If necessary
 

National League

San Francisco Giants (94-68) vs. Cincinnati Reds (97-65)

The Giants have a lot going for them in this series. They open up at home, they have superior pitching, and they have a lot of playoff experience. You should expect Tim Lincecum to bring his best stuff in this series. This is an opportunity for him to erase his inconsistency in the regular season, and he knows that.

The Reds are an exciting team, but they’re not built for a short playoff series. They will be in trouble after Game 1, when Matt Cain outpitches Johhny Cueto.

San Francisco Giants in three

Game One - Saturday, October 6th - Cincinnati at San Francisco, 9:37 p.m.
Game Two - Sunday, October 7th - Cincinnati at San Francisco, 9:37 p.m.
Game Three - Tuesday, October 9th - San Francisco at Cincinnati, 5:37 p.m.
 *Game Four - Wednesday, October 10th - San Francisco at Cincinnati, TBA
 *Game Five - Thursday, October 11th - San Francisco at Cincinnati, TBA
 * - If necessary
 

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals

St. Louis Cardinals will go on to defeat the Nationals. This looks impossible on paper, but baseball isn’t about what’s on paper. The Nationals have a young and talented team, but that pressure is exactly why they will choke.

St. Louis Cardinals in five.


Game One - Sunday, October 7 - Washington at St. Louis, 3:07 p.m.
Game Two - Monday, October 8 - Washington at St. Louis, 4:37 p.m.
Game Three - Wednesday, October 10 - St. Louis at Washington, TBA
*Game Four - Thursday, October 11 - St. Louis at Washington, TBA
*Game Five - Friday, October 12 - St. Louis at Washington, TBA
 * - If necessary