Los Angeles Dodgers

2016 MLB Playoff Predictions: Wild Card, Divisional, Championship, and World Series

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 16, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Dodgers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the regular season is complete, here’s a look at my full 2016 MLB playoff predictions.

When first thinking of what my predictions would look like for baseball’s post-season, it was hard to think of an easy way to explain what could happen.

Now that none of the second guessing is necessary, looking at the match ups for what they’re worth is a wild ride all it’s own.

The National League will have its work cut out for them, as some of the craziest streaks in sports hang in the balance on their side of the ticket.

Out of the division winners, the Chicago Cubs are the clear favorites to take the cake when looking at the numbers. Los Angeles and Washington also have reason to back a deep run, but they’ll need a little more help.

Wild card wise, we have the San Francisco Giants clashing with the New York Mets.

The wild card game has always produced some great post-season baseball, and with the even year streak that the Giants have in mind, it’ll be hard not to want to see how that plays out.

When it comes to the American League, the Texas Rangers are in the driver’s seat, followed by the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians.

Boston and Cleveland are locked in for each other in the first round, while Texas awaits the winner of the Baltimore-Toronto wild card game.

Now that we’ve taken a quick look at the teams involved in October, here’s my breakdown of each series, including predictions for future rounds and the World Series.

AL Wild Card Game

Aug 31, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) talks to the umpires in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

This year’s AL Wild Card game is going to be a heck of a ball game.

Toronto represents underachievement after last year’s run didn’t end in a World Series, while Baltimore is trying to come back into the picture and prove they’re relevant.

Both teams finished strong enough for a playoff berth, making the total of teams from the AL East in the post-season a solid three.

Outside of the Boston Red Sox, either ball club has their own spark and attitude.

Toronto has the 10-9 advantage in 19 games played this season, but that only means that a do-or-die game for them means plenty of action and emotion.

Jose Bautista gave us some great baseball last year when the Blue Jays squared off against the Texas Rangers — expect more of the same from Toronto in order to attain a rematch with their rival.

For the Orioles, the focus remains defensive pressure and keeping the high-flying Blue Jays under control.

On the flip side, Toronto isn’t going to show any mercy.

Prediction: Toronto 8, Baltimore, 5

NL Wild Card Game

Sep 29, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) reacts on a call third strike by umpire Ron Kulpa (46) against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

So here’s where it gets interesting before the division leaders even come into the picture.

Thanks to the Giants sneaking into the playoffs as the second wild card team, the Mets will now have to mess with the even year streak that San Francisco is fond off.

In recent memory, evenly numbered years have resulted in titles for the team, and 2016 could be more of the same if other clubs aren’t careful.

For the Mets, coming into this game with low expectations of what they’ll face is what will determine the outcome.

I see this game being decided early on the scoreboard, with bullpen pitching being the difference maker down to the final out.

Sorry New York, but San Francisco is going to give you all they’ve got — and then some.

Prediction: San Francisco 3, New York 1

ALDS: Red Sox vs. Indians

Oct 2, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes (10) celebrates with designated hitter Carlos Santana (41) after hitting a two run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Boston and Cleveland will provide us the first ALDS clash between division winners in this post-season.

Coming into the series, the Red Sox would appear to have all of the momentum and inspiration, as their division crown brings good news from previous playoff trips.

But don’t blink, because that’s how the Indians surprise you.

Boston has made it to the World Series the last two times it won the AL East, and the Red Sox faithful hope that this season is no different.

Cleveland, however, won’t go down without a fight.

This is a team that didn’t make much, if any, major noise under the latter part of the season where teams like the White Sox, Royals, and Tigers failed to capitalize.

While most would give the edge to Boston, there’s a gut feeling that something special is going to come from this run with the Indians.

Prediction:
GM 1 – Boston 4, Cleveland 2
GM 2 – Boston 1, Cleveland 3
GM 3 – Cleveland 9, Boston 5
GM 4 – Cleveland 2, Boston 0

Series: Cleveland, 3-1

ALDS: Blue Jays vs. Rangers

Sep 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) and second baseman Rougned Odor (12) celebrate Andrus

Toronto’s biggest problem with this series is keeping a big lead over Texas.

Against Baltimore, the Blue Jays won’t have as much trouble getting around the diamond as they will against the Rangers.

Texas proved they belonged in the playoffs after a dominant regular season en route to an AL West title and the first overall seed in the playoffs.

Last season’s playoff clash between these two teams was epic, as it was the beginning of the end for the Rangers who jumped out to a 2-0 series lead and lost three straight.

There’s no way that Texas will let this one slip away, as revenge will be on their mind throughout the series, even during the wild card game as they await their opponent.

If they get their shot at the Blue Jays, they won’t miss.

Prediction:
GM 1 – Toronto 6, Texas 7
GM 2 – Toronto 3, Texas 2
GM 3 – Texas 6, Toronto 5
GM 4 – Texas 2, Toronto 1

Series: Texas, 3-1

NLDS – Giants vs. Cubs

Sep 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) smiles after scoring against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

While the other series in the post-season will give us a lot to look for, with hype included, this will be the best five game series we’ve seen in several years.

Why? It’s pretty easy to tell, but let me explain.

As you know from earlier, the Giants are trying to ride the wave of confidence that comes with doing well in an even-numbered year. Contrary to that, the Cubs are looking to end a long, well-wound World Series drought.

Both Chicago and San Francisco are teams that could win the World Series, should they make it that far. Unfortunately, only one of them will advance.

While the Cubs are still going to be heavy favorites in this situation, I don’t see them having enough poise to overcome the Giants.

Plus, when you consider the kind of things that have gone San Francisco’s way in previous runs, you learn to accept that sometimes miracles will happen.

But it won’t come in anything short of five games.

Prediction:
GM 1 – San Francisco 7, Chicago 4
GM 2 – San Francisco 1, Chicago 5
GM 3 – Chicago 9, San Francisco 8
GM 4 – Chicago 2, San Francisco 11
GM 5 – San Francisco 7, Chicago 6

Series: San Francisco, 3-2

NLDS – Dodgers vs. Nationals

Sep 23, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts looks on during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the division title is in the bag, it’s going to be up to manager Dave Roberts to show if he can take Los Angeles to the next level.

Where the team struggled when Don Mattingly was at the helm happened to be with their bullpen. No matter how good of an outing Clayton Kershaw or another star would have, their bullpen couldn’t close.

Now, as Los Angeles enters the post-season a fourth consecutive NL West champion, the hope is that those down days are behind them.

Clashing with the Washington Nationals will show us from the first game if the Dodgers are truly capable of playing with post-season worthy teams.

While they did enough to earn respect in the regular season, any team will tell you that the playoffs are a whole different kind of monster.

Despite the Dodgers not having home field advantage in this series, I see the momentum swinging towards Los Angeles in an ugly, dog fight type of series.

Expect low scoring, but plenty of intensity.

Prediction:
GM 1 – Los Angeles 4, Washington 0
GM 2 – Los Angeles 2, Washington 3
GM 3 – Washington 4, Los Angeles 5
GM 4 – Washington 2, Los Angeles 4

Series: Los Angeles, 3-1

ALCS – Indians vs. Rangers

Aug 27, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Matt Bush (51) and catcher Robinson Chirinos (61) talk between pitches in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the requirement to win the series is upped to a best-of-seven showdown, the fight for a spot in the World Series only gets better.

It is going to come down to either Cleveland or Texas to take control of an incredible run and cap it off with a chance to play on baseball’s biggest stage.

When understood completely, the impact of manger Terry Francona on the Indians is mostly positive.

Francona has playoff experience under his belt, and you have to wonder if at this point the Indians are the team that steals the Cinderella slipper from the Rangers.

You guessed right, in my eyes.

Prediction:
GM 1 – Cleveland 2, Texas 7
GM 2 – Cleveland 3, Texas 1
GM 3 – Texas 10, Cleveland 6
GM 4 – Texas 2, Cleveland 4
GM 5 – Cleveland 8, Texas 5
GM 6 – Texas 9, Cleveland 11

Series: Cleveland, 4-2

NLCS – Dodgers vs. Giants

Sep 30, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) reacts to a called third strike during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

In a bizarre turn of events, we find the NL West division rivals at each other’s throats with a World Series trip on the line.

San Francisco found a way to climb over the mountain that is the Chicago Cubs, while the Dodgers stayed true to themselves and sent the Nationals packing.

Like the ALCS, the fact that the series winner must be the best-of-seven instead of five games or do-or-die changes everything.

The only reason the Giants don’t coast to the World Series on another even year run is because this time around the Dodgers are able to face their playoff demons in the face and walk away alive.

Prediction:
GM 1 – San Francisco 6, Los Angeles 3
GM 2 – San Francisco 0, Los Angeles 6
GM 3 – Los Angeles 2, San Francisco 1
GM 4 – Los Angeles 3, San Francisco 5
GM 5 – San Francisco 8, Los Angeles 9
GM 6 – Los Angeles 0, San Francisco 2
GM 7 – San Francisco 5, Los Angeles 7

Series: Los Angeles, 4-3

2016 World Series: Dodgers vs. Indians

Sep 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) scores a run in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

If it weren’t for the Giants, the Dodgers might not find themselves in the World Series.

The only team in the NL capable of looking the Cubs in the face and leaving them with nowhere to go in the next round is the Giants — hands down.

Los Angeles wouldn’t be able to go toe-to-toe with the Cubs despite any kind of solid outing on the mound.

Now that the World Series is cleared up, the Dodgers have their work cut out for them should they face the Indians.

Los Angeles is in a World Series drought themselves, and this looks like the season where it all comes together and finally clicks.

The Dodgers are a team that’s been capable of a lot, but has underachieved a great deal.

Now, at Cleveland’s expense, the Dodgers will douse themselves in champagne after the final out.

Prediction:
GM 1 – Los Angeles 1, Cleveland 8
GM 2 – Los Angeles 5, Cleveland 4
GM 3 – Cleveland 9, Los Angeles 3
GM 4 – Cleveland 1, Los Angeles 10
GM 5 – Los Angeles 7, Cleveland 3
GM 6 – Cleveland 1, Los Angeles 6

Series: Los Angeles, 4-2

Final Thoughts

Aug 17, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Fans hold an American flag from the stands during jumping qualification in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Olympic Equestrian Centre. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports

Some may beg to differ with my predictions of the post-season, but that’s just fine.

They’re predictions — they could easily be wrong.

But, in light of that, the fact that the Dodgers have the perfect opportunity to end their title drought speaks for itself.

It would go fitting with the way their regular season has gone, and, considering that legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully is finally retiring, it adds icing to the cake.

Dave Roberts and company have to earn it though, so it’s essential that the team show unity and strength right away against the Nationals.

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