MLB Playoff
The end of April is when the real focus on Kentucky Derby odds will take place, but there is another sport that deserves attention first. The 2022 Major League Baseball season is set to begin in April despite having an interesting offseason.
It took a while before the players and owners were able to agree to a deal, and that has caused some fans to claim that they are turning off the sport. Some fans might be shutting off the sport at the beginning of the year, but the focus will be back on as we get closer to the end of the year. If you’re an Astros fan, you should check out a game in person and join other fans by looking at the team’s upcoming Astros schedule.
American League
When looking at the American League, it’s pretty clear to see that the East Division is absolutely loaded. There are other good teams in the AL as well, but the race to win the AL East will be the best in baseball.
With six teams set to make the playoffs in the AL this season, it seems pretty likely that at least three teams from that division will make the playoffs. This competition will also have an impact on the seeding though, as these AL East teams are going to beat up on each other.
The AL Central and AL West races appear to be over before the season begins, although upsets always take place. The Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros are the frontrunners, but a team from each division could make the playoffs.
Here is a look at the AL Playoff predictions:
(1) Chicago White Sox
(2) Toronto Blue Jays
(3) Houston Astros
(4) Boston Red Sox
(5) New York Yankees
(3) Seattle Mariners
Round 1: Astros over Mariners, Yankees over Red Sox
ALDS: Blue Jays over Astros, White Sox over Yankees
ALCS: White Sox over Blue Jays
National League
The National League is top-heavy as well, but some of the top teams are more spread out. The National League Central will likely only have one playoff team, but the NL East and NL West could all have several teams win the division.
The Milwaukee Brewers are going to win the Central Division and they might win it by at least 10 games. There are three teams in that division that don’t care about winning at all, and the Cardinals aren’t a serious threat.
The Atlanta Braves are the defending World Series champions, and they are the favorites to win the NL East. The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies should keep the pressure on the Braves all season long, and they will likely win enough games to reach the postseason.
The Dodgers are going to be favored to win the NL West, but they were challenged a season ago as well. The San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are going to be good again, and they can make the playoffs as a division winner or a Wild Card.
Here is how the NL Playoffs should shake out:
(1) Los Angeles Dodgers
(2) Milwaukee Brewers
(3) Atlanta Braves
(4) San Francisco Giants
(5) New York Mets
(6) Philadelphia Phillies
First Round: Braves over Phillies, Mets over Giants
NLDS: Dodgers over Mets, Brewers over Braves
NLCS: Dodgers over Brewers
World Series Prediction
There are some serious questions about the pitching staff of the Chicago White Sox, and that is eventually going to cost them in the playoffs. Chicago just has so much offense that they will survive the first few rounds, but it’s going to keep them from winning a title. Click here:
Teams in the National League have been working hard to try and catch up to the Dodgers, but that just feels like an impossible task. Not only do the Dodgers have a ridiculous batting lineup, but that pitching staff is terrific as well.
A World Series between the White Sox and Dodgers would be one that features a ton of offense, but the Dodgers can also get out. Los Angeles has a “World Series” or bust mentality in 2022 and they are going to get it done.
