MLB Playoffs 2014: Predictions for Top World Series Contenders

The 2014 MLB playoffs kicked off Tuesday evening, with the Kansas City Royals earning the right to face the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Division Series by beating the Oakland Athletics, 9-8.

It was a captivating commencement to the postseason that went extra innings. Rotoworld Baseball's Drew Silva summarized it well:

If that contest is any indication, fans of America's pastime are in for a thrill ride this autumn en route to crowning an ultimate winner.

LA is the No. 2 contender to take home the Commissioner's Trophy as World Series champions, according to OddsShark.com. It will be a tall task for the perpetually cash-strapped Royals to get past them, giving the Angels a great chance at advancing to at least the ALCS.

But another crosstown rival in the Los Angeles Dodgers are the No. 1 favorite to take home the top prize in the Fall Classic, while the National League pennant-winning Washington Nationals are third in oddsmakers' eyes.

Here is a closer look at all those clubs and predictions as to how far they'll advance this postseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers (9-2)

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Featuring the best mix of overall pitching and offensive production, it comes as little surprise that the Dodgers are slim favorites to win it all.

Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw will likely take home that accolade again after a stupendous 21-3 campaign that ended with a 1.77 ERA and 239 strikeouts.

Kershaw's consistency atop MLB has been most impressive, per the Dodgers' Twitter account:

Zack Greinke is coming off no slouch of a year himself with 17 wins. The loss of Josh Beckett does hurt, given his multiple World Series rings, though Hyun-jin Ryu (14-7, 3.38 ERA) is a fully capable third starter, as is Dan Haren.

Injury concerns threatened Matt Kemp's spot in the outfield, but he has responded as the season has worn on, winning NL Player of the Month in September.

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register documented Kemp's exceptional turnaround:

With Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier, no one has a deeper outfield than the Dodgers. They have Dee Gordon as a speed demon on the basepaths and another All-Star in Adrian Gonzalez at first base.

This should lead to a thrilling World Series against the likes of Detroit, with a Game 7 showdown between Kershaw and one of the Tigers' premier pitchers that the Dodgers will get the better end of.

Prediction: Dodgers win World Series 4-3

Los Angeles Angels (5-1)

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Between a resurgent Albert Pujols, superstar youngster Mike Trout and a couple key complementary pieces, the Angels carved out the most productive offense in baseball, with an MLB-high 773 runs.

Offense drives this club, which is evident in this anecdote from ESPN Stats & Info:

That number is even more notable, since the Royals topped the A's 9-8 in the Wild Card Game.

But even better news came LA's way Tuesday when it was revealed that former AL MVP Josh Hamilton, hampered by injuries, will participate in the ALDS against Kansas City. Angels manager Mike Scioscia commented on how he'll adjust the order, as opposed to leaving Hamilton in his normal cleanup spot.

“We’ll probably bat him down lower to where he'll have a chance to swing the bat and contribute," said Scioscia, per the Los Angeles Times' Mike DiGiovanna. "But not too much pressure to where if he’s not quite locked in it will make a big difference in our lineup."

That type of firepower is hard for any opponent to negotiate. The big scare for LA is its lack of starting pitching, as it ranked 23rd in quality starts and 15th in overall team ERA.

Chris Rose of MLB Network raises a valid point, too, remarking on the preparation Angels catchers Chris Iannetta and Hank Conger will have ahead against the Royals:

The Royals led the AL with 153 stolen bases, and then they helped erase a late deficit against Oakland by swiping bags Tuesday. They finished with seven steals for the game.

Before KC's final steal, Fox Sports Midwest's Tim Trokey highlighted just how small the Royals can play—and execute:

Although the Angels' power should be able to outmatch Kansas City's running ability, they will do extremely well to pull something like that off twice. Presuming the Tigers advance to the ALCS, LA would have to face David Price, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello—maybe one or two of those pitchers more than once.

It's just hard to overcome such a disparity in starting pitching so deep in the postseason two times in a row. That will lead to the Angels' end in the League Championship Series.

Prediction: Angels lose to Tigers in ALCS, 4-2

Washington Nationals (11-2)

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The premium placed on pitching in the postseason bodes well for Washington in its quest for October glory.

Buster Olney of ESPN points out how well the Nationals' staff has fared down the stretch:

Indeed, what a way to close out the regular season, as Jordan Zimmermann pitched a no-hitter at home in a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. But the trend of quality pitching stretches back further—and has been sustained throughout the 2014 campaign.

There are 105 quality starts between Washington's five regular hurlers. Doug Fister pitched a three-hit shutout in his last appearance, Stephen Strasburg hasn't allowed a run in his last 20 innings, and Gio Gonzalez had 12 Ks in seven shutout frames to improve to 10-10 in his final start.

Nationals closer Rafael Soriano has converted a decent 32 of 39 save opportunities, but he'll have to be lights-out for Washington to truly be a respectable contender.

The bats have to come alive in the nation's capital, too. Its lineup doesn't boast the star power that the Dodgers and Angels do, yet Washington has a slew of solid, smart hitters who can get the job done.

Even a minimal amount of hitting and sustenance of the starting pitching prowess will carry the Nationals to at least the NLCS. However, Kershaw is likely to get the nod for two games in that series for LA and therefore render Washington ineffective, ending its impressive year just one opponent shy of the World Series.

This year still offers plenty to build on. With a young, promising outfield featuring Bryce Harper and a stacked staff, a championship sure seems in the Nationals' future within the next several seasons.

Prediction: Nationals lose to Dodgers in NLCS, 4-2.