2017 NLDS Preview

Here we stand with four teams remaining in the National League, all with the same goal in ind, win the pennant and play for a World Championship. This year, the defending World Champions the Chicago Cubs, begin their quest to defend their crown. Standing in their way are the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals, all with something on the line and something to try and prove. Each team has their own ghosts of the past to deal with. Chicago wants to defend their crown. Los Angeles is looking for their first title since 1988. Washington is looking to just win a playoff series. Arizona is looking to do something they haven't done since 2001, win a world championship. So lets get right down to it. Here's what the divsional round looks like in the National League.

First up, we have the National League West winning Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the National League Wild Card winning Arizona Diamondbacks. For the Dodgers, this marks the 5th year in a row that they've won the National League West, going with a 104-58 record, the best one in all of baseball. Over the last four years, the Dodgers have gone 2-2 in the divisional round. Los Angeles is looking to reach the World Series for the first time since 1988. They are 72-89 lifetime in post season play. As for the Diamondbacks, this marks their 6th ever trip to the playoffs. They finished 2nd in the National League West with a 93-69 record, and dispatched the Colorado Rockies in the Wild Card game. In there five previous playoff appearances, Arizona has won the divisional round only twice, once riding it all the way to the World Series. Arizona is 171-19 lifetime in the post season. This marks the first ever meeting between the two teams during the playoffs. Of the 19 meetings between the two teams, Arizona went 11-8 against the Dodgers during regular season play.

Here are the dates and times for every game in this series:
October 6 Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium 10:30 PM
October 7 Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium 9:00 PM
October 9 Los Angeles Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field -
October 10† Los Angeles Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field -
October 12† Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium -

This looks like it could be a very good year for the Dodgers, who now have a stacked pitching rotation. Clayton Kershaw will start the opener then you go to Rich Hill and Yu Darvish, which is something that the Dodgers haven't seen since the late 80s. You also have Alex Wood and Kenta Maeda available as well, which will make the Dodgers dangerous.  Powering the offense this year was Cody Bellinger who hit 39 homers and drove in 97 runs, the only Dodger to actually drive in more then 80 runs on the season. He wasn't the only one to make contributions to this team. Cory Seger, Yasiel Puig, Justin Turner and Cory Taylor all had solid years for the Dodgers at the dish. They had some good numbers and were able to do this without Adrian Gonzalez in the lineup for most of the year. One of the biggest questions the Dodgers will have this year is how well will Clayton Kershaw do, as it has been well documented how he has struggled in the post season.

They go up against an Arizona team that is no pushover. They have one of the best hitters in all of the National League in Paul Goldschmidt. Driving in 120 runs has become something that's been expected from Goldy for a long time now and he can show he can deliver. He's not alone in this whole run scoring and run generating department. Jake Lamb also drove in 105 runs, followed by 65 from JD Martinez, who proved to be a huge acquisition for the Diamondbacks. Arizona will have Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray and Zach Grenkie going into this series, which makes for a pretty good starting staff. But its the bullpen that leaves you to wonder. Fernando Rodney is a solid closer, but at times has a tendancy to be a flaky pitcher. Arizona has been solid this year, which will make this an interesting series.

Because the Dodgers have slumped as badly as they did in the latter half of the season, a lot of people are worried about them. I think they will be fine. Only reason I say that is because the Diamondbacks I don't see being able to stand with the Dodgers over the length of a five game series. Arizona will put up one hell of a fight, no doubt about that. I just have this gut feeling that the depth and experience of the Dodgers is going to win the day and move the Dodgers on to the NLCS.

Pick: Dodgers in 5!

Next up, its the National League East winning Washington Nationals taking on the National League Central winning Chicago Cubs. Chicago comes in as the defending World Champions. This marks the 3rd straight playoff appearance for the Cubs and the 2nd year in a row they've won the Central. Chicago now has seven division titles since divisional play began back in 1969. Chicago has now won in the divisional round two straight years, looking to now go three in a row. Chicago is 43-66 all time in the playoffs. As for the Nationals, they've now won the National League East for the 3rd year in a row and 5th time in the last seven years, doing so with a 97-65 record. Washington is looking to do something they've never done in Washington, and that's win a playoff series. The only one they have was in 1981 when they were still the Montreal Expos. This will mark the first ever meeting between the two clubs in the playoffs. During the regular season, Washington won four of the seven meetings between the two teams.

Here are the dates and times for every game in this series:
October 6 Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals Nationals Park 7:30 PM
October 7 Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals Nationals Park 5:30 PM
October 9 Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field -
October 10† Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field -
October 12† Chicago Cubs @ Washington Nationals Nationals Park -

Now the champs start the defense of their title. They are once again led by Anthony Rizzo, who drove in 109 this year, the only Cubs hitter to drive in more then 80 runs. Javier Biaz, Kris Bryant, Wilson Contreras all contributed to the Cubs offense. This was a team that dominated in the 2nd half of the year, winning more games after the all star break and driving in more runs then any team in the 2nd half of the year. Oh and Chicago has a pretty good starting staff too. Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester, and José Quintana are expected to be on the hill in this series. Chicago can hurl with the best of them, so look for the Chicago pitching staff to keep them in a lot of games, so their offense can do their thing.

Now they're going up against a Washington team that has had trouble getting it done in the playoffs. They've yet to win a series since moving to Washington, including blowing a 2-1 lead in the series last year against the Dodgers. Max Scherzer has been the best pitcher in Washington all season, but because of a slight injury near the end of the season might halt the start of his playoffs. Still the Nationals have Gio González and Stephen Strasburg on the hill, which is a pretty formidable staff to deal with in the playoffs. Washington has no problem swinging a bat either. Ryan Zimmerman drove in 108 runs, while Anthony Rendon drove in 100. Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper both drove in over 80 runs, so the Nats do rely on their top talent plenty this year, and they've been able to carry the load without a problem.

The biggest thing that is going to stick with me is the Nationals inability to get it done in the playoffs. Chicago has been there, done it and they know what works for them. Chicago is too good and Washington is too top heavy. Chicago has the horses to get it done, despite being out pitched by the starters. Chicago is deeper and more well balanced then Washington and they've been hotter in the 2nd half of the year.

Pick: Cubs in 4!

(All predictions made BEFORE start of series)