MLB Playoff Schedule 2015: Updated AL, NL Predictions Before Thursday's ALDS

There are eight teams remaining in the 2015 MLB playoffs, and fans couldn't ask for a better set of division-series matchups.

The next couple of weeks should feature plenty of drama, including great pitching battles, historic lineups and a lot of new faces compared to years past. Of the teams remaining, only the St. Louis Cardinals have won a World Series title in the last 20 years.

Any of the organizations remaining has a chance to make a deep run, but here is a look at what to expect in the upcoming round.

American League Division Series

Game	Date	Home Team	Time (ET)
1	Thurs., Oct. 8	Blue Jays	3:30 p.m.
2	Fri., Oct. 9	Blue Jays	12:30 p.m.
3	Sun., Oct. 11	Rangers	8 p.m.
4	Mon., Oct. 12	Rangers	TBD
5	Wed., Oct. 14	Blue Jays	TBD

Both of these teams have been on fire since the trade deadline and are basically different teams than they were a few months ago.

The Texas Rangers went 38-22 since the start of August, flying up the standings thanks to a reborn offense and newly acquired ace Cole Hamels. In most seasons, they would be a dangerous playoff squad thanks to the momentum they carried into October.

However, the Toronto Blue Jays have been even better in this stretch, going 40-18 since Aug. 1. The offense, which was already the best in the majors, added Troy Tulowitzki. The rotation, which wasn't great but solid, added David Price. The return of injured starter Marcus Stroman provides yet another weapon to help the team in the playoffs.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister doesn't want to concede the series to the AL East champs, but he knows it will be an uphill battle. He recently explained to reporters, per Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press (via CBC.ca):

"

Look we know that that's a really good ball club over there. We look at the numbers, we've seen it. We hear everything that's being said. Dynamic ball club. Lot of power. They love playing in this ball club.

We know that we've got to play well. We've got to pitch well, play well. If we do that, we've got an opportunity.

"

Having "an opportunity" to win if everything goes well is not an encouraging way to go into a playoff series. The Rangers deserve plenty of admiration for getting to this point, but this is likely where the road ends.

Prediction: Blue Jays win in three games.

Game	Date	Home Team	Time (ET)
1	Thurs., Oct. 8	Royals	7:30 p.m.
2	Fri., Oct. 9	Royals	3:30 p.m.
3	Sun., Oct. 11	Astros	4 p.m.
4	Mon., Oct. 12	Astros	TBD
5	Wed., Oct. 14	Royals	TBD

It's pretty amazing how quickly things can change in baseball, with both of these teams knowing this firsthand:

The turnaround even from last year is so rapid the Kansas City Royals have gone from the fun, young Cinderellas in the AL playoffs to the most experienced squad remaining in the league. They have to take their lessons from last season and carry it over into a successful run in 2015.

While the Houston Astros are entertaining, the Royals have the ability to make another run using the same strengths as they did a year ago. The bullpen—despite a few stumbles down the stretch—can still be dominant at the end of games. The lineup is also deep enough to make everyone who comes up to the plate a legitimate threat to make a game-changing hit.

On the other hand, Houston's lineup is inconsistent because of its reliance on the home run. As a whole, the team only ranked 21st in the majors with a .250 batting average (Royals ranked third), and this all-or-nothing approach can lead to a few quiet games. This is especially true on the road in Kauffman Stadium, which was one of the worst home run parks in baseball this season, according to ESPN.

Kansas City might not have one bright star to carry the offense or pitching staff, but the team is good enough from top to bottom to advance to the ALCS.

Prediction: Royals win in four games.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

National League Division Series

Game	Date	Home Team	Time (ET)
1	Fri., Oct. 9	Dodgers	9:30 p.m.
2	Sat., Oct. 10	Dodgers	9 p.m.
3	Mon., Oct. 12	Mets	TBD
4	Tues., Oct. 13	Mets	TBD
5	Thurs., Oct. 15	Dodgers	TBD

Jake Arrieta was the star of the Wild Card Round as his shutout carried the Chicago Cubs to victory. The Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to throw out two pitchers just as good as the Cubs ace in this series.

Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs broke down just how dominant the trio of Cy Young Award candidates has been this year:

Andy Glockner of the Cauldron noted the Los Angeles Dodgers' advantage as we move to the playoffs:

The New York Mets have their own quality pitching in Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey, but no matter who is on the mound throughout the series, the Dodgers will have the pitching edge in three or four games of the five-game series.

Los Angeles also has a lineup that can be dangerous in the playoffs with an impressive mix of veterans and young stars. The older players have been in this stage before and won't be nervous, while the rookies bring an energy and fearlessness to help the squad succeed.

With Los Angeles earning home-field advantage in this series, where it is 55-26—tied for the best home record in baseball—the favorites should be able to survive in a low-scoring series.

Prediction: Dodgers win in four games.

Game	Date	Home Team	Time (ET)
1	Fri., Oct. 9	Cardinals	6:30 p.m.
2	Sat., Oct. 10	Cardinals	5:30 p.m.
3	Mon., Oct. 12	Cubs	TBD
4	Tues., Oct. 13	Cubs	TBD
5	Thurs., Oct. 15	Cardinals	TBD

This matchup on paper would be entertaining no matter who is playing. The fact it is one of the best rivalries in sports makes it even better.

ESPN's Kevin Negandhi noted the rarity of this occasion:

The Chicago Cubs are likely to blame for this scenario based on the fact they are not in the playoffs all that often, especially compared to the St. Louis Cardinals. However, the 2015 Cubs are nothing like their predecessors.

Chicago not only has one of the hottest pitchers in baseball history in Arrieta, but the young lineup is incredibly exciting to watch with Kris Bryant (age 23), Anthony Rizzo (age 26), Kyle Schwarber (age 22) and others always capable of getting big hits in big moments. The scary thing is all these 25-and-under players (and Rizzo) are only going to get better, as noted by J.J. Cooper of Baseball America:    

The reality is the Cubs are already legitimate contenders after winning 97 games during the season. They enter the NLDS winning nine games in a row and have all the confidence in the world.

In the other locker room, St. Louis is dealing with various injuries to key players and is unsure who will be healthy enough to play. The Cardinals had the best record in the majors this season, but the Cubs might have too much momentum to slow down.

Prediction: Cubs win in five games.

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