MLB Playoffs 2014: Projected Schedule and Divisional-Round Predictions
The MLB playoffs officially begin in just a few days once the regular season comes to a conclusion. With only a few games remaining, there is still plenty to decide on the field to determine the final postseason matchups.
The Los Angeles Angels and the Baltimore Orioles have clinched home-field advantage in the American League Division Series so far. In the National League, the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers have done the same.
Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and San Francisco have clinched playoff berths, but their placement is still unknown. Seattle is still alive but is two games behind Oakland for the final spot with just two games remaining.
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Let’s take a look at the projected playoff schedule along with predictions for each division series.
The schedule below is courtesy of MLB.com:
| A.L. Wild Card Game | Tuesday, September 30 | TBS |
| N.L. Wild Card Game | Wednesday, October 1 | ESPN |
| Game 1: TBD vs. LAA | Thursday, October 2 | TBS |
| Game 2: TBD vs. LAA | Friday, October 3 | TBS |
| Game 3: LAA vs. TBD | Sunday, October 5 | TBS |
| Game 4: LAA vs. TBD | Monday, October 6 | TBS |
| Game 5: TBD vs. LAA | Wednesday, October 8 | TBS |
| Game 1: TBD vs. BAL | Thursday, October 2 | TBS |
| Game 2: TBD vs. BAL | Friday, October 3 | TBS |
| Game 3: BAL vs. TBD | Sunday, October 5 | TBS |
| Game 4: BAL vs. TBD | Monday, October 6 | TBS |
| Game 5: TBD vs. BAL | Wednesday, October 8 | TBS |
| Game 1: TBD vs. WSH | Friday, October 3 | FS1 |
| Game 2: TBD vs. WSH | Saturday, October 4 | FS1 or MLBN |
| Game 3: WSH vs. TBD | Monday, October 6 | FS1 or MLBN |
| Game 4: WSH vs. TBD | Tuesday, October 7 | FS1 |
| Game 5: TBD vs. WSH | Thursday, October 9 | FS1 |
| Game 1: TBD vs. LAD | Friday, October 3 | FS1 |
| Game 2: TBD vs. LAD | Saturday, October 4 | FS1 or MLBN |
| Game 3: LAD vs. TBD | Monday, October 6 | FS1 or MLBN |
| Game 4: LAD vs. TBD | Tuesday, October 7 | FS1 |
| Game 5: TBD vs. LAD | Thursday, October 9 | FS1 |
If the season ended today, the two Wild Card Games would involve the Oakland A’s taking on the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates battling the San Francisco Giants in the NL.
For both of these matchups, the team with the momentum has the advantage. In a one-game series, the most important thing is who is playing well right now. Kansas City has won six of its last 10 and locked up its first playoff spot since 1985. It should ride its momentum right to the next round if the Royals meet Oakland in the Wild Card Game.
The same goes for the National League. Pittsburgh has won eight of its last 10 as opposed to the 4-6 record San Francisco has posted. Confidence will lead both the Royals and Pirates into the next round.
National League
Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Although Pittsburgh will be able to ride its momentum through one game, it won’t be able to get past Washington.
The Nationals ran away with the NL East. Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon, along with Bryce Harper, will prove to be too much for the Pirates to handle. Washington is third in the NL in runs scored.
What will put the Nats over the top, though, is their pitching. The staff’s 3.07 ERA leads the entire league. Doug Fister leads the group with a 16-10 record and a 2.41 ERA. Washington advances in four games.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The Dodgers and Cardinals are sure to provide an incredible playoff series, but Los Angeles will prevail in five games.
Similar to Washington, the Dodgers have incredible pitching to go along with a very formidable lineup. They rank second in the NL with 708 runs. Yasiel Puig, Dee Gordon, Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez are tough outs.
Their leader, however, is undoubtedly pitcher Clayton Kershaw. The ace is 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. He currently looks unstoppable and is the main reason the Dodgers will reach the NLCS.
American League
Los Angeles Angels vs. Kansas City Royals
Similar to Pittsburgh, it will be tough for Kansas City to advance past one of the stronger teams in baseball in the division series. Unfortunately for the Royals, the Angels will take them out in four games.
The Angels are much too strong, and they’re led by their powerful offense. The 771 runs they’ve scored are best in MLB by 20 runs. Mike Trout is one of the best players in baseball. He’s hitting .290 with 36 homers and 111 RBI. He’ll continue to shine in October.
Jered Weaver is a solid No. 1 starter and will be tough to defeat, especially at home. The Angels are an MLB-best 52-29 at Angel Stadium. They will be too much for Kansas City.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Detroit Tigers
The other American League series should prove to be very competitive. Both teams are worthy of reaching the ALCS, but Baltimore will be the squad to do so.
The Orioles lead the league in home runs by a significant margin. They’ve hit 209 of them so far and will rely on the long ball in the postseason as well. Nelson Cruz leads the team with 40, while Adam Jones and Chris Davis added 28 and 26, respectively.
Baltimore is also one of the better pitching teams. Their 3.46 team ERA is good enough for seventh in MLB. Chris Tillman leads the staff in innings pitched with 207.1. He’s 13-6 with a 3.34 ERA.
Baltimore wins in five.
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