Steven Urena
By Steven Urena
2021 MLB Playoffs
The table is set. Pass out the ammunition and let’s go to war!
Before I give my predictions, let’s take a look back at my original playoff predictions.
|
National League |
|
| My Predictions | 2021 Playoff Teams |
| West: Dodgers | West: Giants |
| Central: Brewers | Central: Brewers (ding, ding) |
| East: Mets | East: Braves |
| Wild Card: Padres |
Wild Card: Dodgers/Cardinals |
| American League | |
| My Predictions | 2021 Playoff Teams |
| West: Astros | West: Astros (ding, ding) |
| Central: Twins | Central: White Sox |
| East: Yankees | East: Rays |
| Wild Card: Blue Jays | Wild Card: Yankees/Red Sox |
Two out of eight! Wow! Good thing I did not bet the farm. To be fair, who on earth would have picked the Giants to win the NL West and the Padres not to even make the playoffs?! The Mets were a big disappointment and the Dodgers finished in second after winning 106 games.
I picked the hapless Twins to win the AL Central. That may have been my worst pick of all. I was sold on them in a short season. I underestimated the Rays and almost had a steal with the Blue Jays.
National League
Cardinals vs. Dodgers
My Pick: Dodgers
The Cardinals won 18 of their last 21 games. There’s no doubt they were MLB’s hottest team during that stretch. The Dodgers have an identical record the past 21 games but have won 7 in a row. MLB’s best team is finally looking like the best team. The Cards send Adam Wainwright. The Dodgers send Max Scherzer. Both are crafty veterans that have carried their team to the promiseland. The Dodgers offense has been on a tear and that’s why I give them the edge. Go Doyers!
Brewers vs. Braves
My Pick: Brewers
The Brew Crew’s offense packs enough punch to produce runs and there’s no way the Braves can get past Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff in a 5 game series. The Braves are a good team but they lack the “it” factor. I could see a 3 game sweep.
Giants vs. Dodgers/Cardinals
I’ll get back to you on Thursday with this breakdown.
American League
Red Sox vs. Yankees
My Pick: Yankees
Gerrit Cole is still Gerrit Cole. If he’s dialed in, he’s is tough to beat. He’s going to come out fired up and he’s going to have a dangerous offense behind him that has been no stranger to the long ball at the end of the season. The Red Sox have dangerous hitters in Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez but I can’t see Nathan Eovaldi silencing the Yankee bats for more than 5 innings. The Bronx prevails!
White Sox vs. Astros
My Pick: Astros
If this was a few months ago, the ChiSox would have manhandled the Astros. Their starting pitching was on fire and their young hitters were equally hot. I was high on the Southsiders but they are a little banged up and the league seemed to figure out how to get their young studs out. The Astros have a good team. Their starting pitching is good enough and their veteran hitters are clutch. They will use the boos and insults for motivation. I would not be surprised to see a sweep here as well.
Rays vs. Yankees/Red Sox
I’ll get back to you on Thursday with this breakdown.
Contact Steve Urena at:
Email: theurenaexpress@gmail.com
Twitter/IG: @theurenaexpress
