Dan Gartland, Exec. Sports Editor
AL Champ: Detroit Tigers
NL Champ: Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series: Tigers in 6
Boston and Detroit have the two highest-scoring offenses in the majors. The Red Sox have a well-rounded offense, with a strong lineup from top to bottom, which will make them dangerous in October. The Tigers rely more on one player, but that player is the best hitter in the world: Miguel Cabrera. If he plays as well in the playoffs as he did in the regular season, it will be tough to stop the Tigers. If he takes his game to another level, the other teams might as well go home. If he struggles — and here’s where the Tigers have an advantage over the Red Sox — Detroit’s strong pitching can keep the Tigers afloat. I mean, statistically speaking, Justin Verlander was the Tigers’ third-best starter this season, which goes to show how deep this staff is.
Pitching is also why I like the Dodgers. The Cardinals also have a great chance to win the pennant, even without Allen Craig, but the Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw deserves to win the Cy Young after posting a 1.88 ERA and 0.92 WHIP, and having a dominant pitcher like that is incredibly valuable in the playoffs. The Los Angeles offense is nothing to sneeze at either. Hanley Ramirez only played half the season but still managed to record 20 home runs and 57 RBIs while batting .345. Adrian Gonzalez and Andre Ethier swing the bat well, too. Plus, everyone knows what Yasiel Puig is capable of. Don’t forget, this is a team that went on a 46-10 tear from June 22 to Aug. 23.
Matt Rosenfeld, Sports Editor
AL Champ: Boston Red Sox
NL Champ: Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series: Dodgers in 7
It was a tough baseball year for me. As a die-hard Yankees fan, it was brutal to watch teams like the Pirates and Athletics dominate while my beloved Yankees suffered. That being said, I have to pick a World Series winner.
As much as it pains me to say it, the Red Sox have been the class of the American League this year. I truly do “fear the beard” and think the Sox will edge out the Tigers in the ALCS. As for the National League, a piece of me wants to say the Pirates will have a miracle run and prove all the haters wrong, but I don’t actually believe that will happen. I see the Dodgers defeating the Cardinals in the NLCS to move on to their first World Series since 1988.
In a coastal matchup between classic baseball franchises, I have to give the trophy to the Dodgers. Yes, part of this is bias against the Red Sox, but part of it is a feeling that this is the Dodgers’ year. Why? Puig-Mania and Clayton Kershaw. Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez getting revenge on the team that traded them. Plus, how can you pick against Magic Johnson? It’s the Dodgers’ year.
Max Prinz, Assistant Sports Editor
AL Champ: Detroit Tigers
NL Champ: Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series: Tigers in 6
At the end of the baseball season, the players who had the best years are the award winners. Shouldn’t it follow that the teams who have award winners are the best teams? It doesn’t always work that way, but I’m betting that it will this year.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a pair of final candidates for two end of season awards. While he probably won’t win Rookie of the Year, Yasiel Puig has caught the entire baseball world’s attention with his fantastic play. Additionally, many experts have Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on not just their ballot for Cy Young, but for MVP as well.
In the American League, the Tigers have two players likely to pick up the MVP and Cy Young awards. Miguel Cabrera won his third straight batting title and Max Scherzer just finished a fantastic 21-win season. This is the year the Tigers’ award winners bring home a World Series trophy too.