2018 NLDS Preview

its playoff time in Major League Baseball. October ball has arrived and the chase for the Commissioners Trophy is well under way. Four teams now left standing in the National League, with the pennant hanging in the balance over the next two weeks. It took a minimum of 90 wins to reach the playoffs in this league, which shows how tight a race it was in the NL. So lets not waste anymore time and get right into it. Here's the braekdown of the National League Divisional Round.

First up its the NL Wild Card Winning Colorado Rockies taking on the NL Central Champion Milwaukee Brewers. For Milwaukee, they won the NL Central with 96 wins, beating the Cubs in a one game playoff for the division title. This marks the most wins in a season and the first division title for the Crew since 2011. Its the fifth playoff appearance for the Brewers and first since 2011. They haven't won a round in the playoffs since 2011 and are in search of their first ever World Series appearance. Milwaukee is 14-18 lifetime in the playoffs. As for the Rockies, this marks the 2nd straight year making the playoffs (lost last year's wild card game). They won 91 games during the season, the highest win total since 2009. Colorado has now made the playoffs five times in their history, all as a wild card team. Colorado is 10-11 lifetime in the playoffs. This marks the first ever meeting between the two teams in the playoffs. Brewers won five of the seven meetings between teams this season.

Here's the dates for every game in this series:
October 4 Colorado Rockies @ Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park
October 5 Colorado Rockies @ Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park
October 7 Milwaukee Brewers @ Colorado Rockies Coors Field
October 8† Milwaukee Brewers @ Colorado Rockies Coors Field
October 10† Colorado Rockies @ Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park

Both teams came into the playoffs hot, each winning 19 games in the month of September. Playing with that level of confidence is never a bad thing. Milwaukee has a bit of an edge in the offensive department, with Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich forming one of the best 1-2 punch atop a lineup. And of course, there is the power department. Milwaukee can hit it out of the park with guys like Jesus Aguilar (35 homers), Travis Shaw (32 homers), and Mike Moustakas (28 homers). Hitting isn't the only strength of the Crew, they're pretty good in the field too, they were after all second in the NL in defensive efficiency. Oh and they have a pretty good pitching staff too. Jhoulys Chacín, Gio Gonzalez and Wade Miley make a pretty good starting staff for the playoffs, but what's really going to carry this Brewers team is the bullpen. Josh Hader, Corey Knebel and Joakim Soria have been the workhorses of the pen and one of the biggest reasons the Brewers sit where they sit right now.

Colorado is no pushover. Carlos Gonzales, Charlie Blackman, DJ LeMahieu and Trevor Story were all smacking the cover off the ball as the season went along. It maybe the case with them more often then not but playing at Coors Field has its advantage to the Rockies , who hit about 62 points higher at home then they do on the road. Colorado is a solid defensive team, but what has made the Rockies a big success this year is their starting pitching. Tyler Anderson looked good his last start out, which could mean bad things for the Brewers hitters. Chad Bettis and Kyle Freeland have been solid most of the year as well, so its nothing to sleep on during this postseason.

What it boils down to in this series is who can crack who's pitching staff first. Once the Brewers get a lead, they're going to be awfully tough to try and get past. As good as the Rockies are, the Brewers have a more balanced lineup and better pitching. The edge does go to the Rockies starting staff but, on the whole, Milwaukee has an overall edge and a little extra something going for it this year.

Prediction: Brewers in 4!

Next up is the NL West Champion Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the NL East Champion Atlanta Braves. This marks the 20th appearance of the Braves in the playoffs since moving to Atlanta, and their 15th overall division title down south. Winning 90 games this year is the most that the Braves have had since winning the division in 2013. Atlanta is looking to get past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2001. The Braves are 82-84 lifetime in the post season. As for the Dodgers, they won 92 games the lowest win total in two years. It's the 6th straight Western Division title for the Dodgers and 17th title overall since divisional play began in 1969. Los Angeles is looking for a repeat of last year, winning the NL Pennant. The Dodgers are 72-89 lifetime in the playoffs. This is the 3rd ever playoff meeting between the teams, each team inning one series. The Dodgers won five of the seven meetings between the teams this year.

Here's the dates for every game in this series:
October 4 Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium
October 5 Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium
October 7 Los Angeles Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park
October 8† Los Angeles Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park
October 10† Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium

Atlanta has been a big surprise this year, having their youth movement play a big role in this year's division title. Ronald Acuña Jr. was hitting the cover off the ball after his call up. Driving in 63 runs in 111 games could lead him to winning the NL Rookie of the year. Ozzie Albies was also an impact player, playing in all but four games this year. Driving the bus for the Braves offense was Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis, both of whom drove in over 90 runs. Atlanta has decent pitching in the form of Julio Teherán, Sean Newcomb, and Mike Foltynewicz. Out of the bullpen, closer Arodys Vizcaino and lefty AJ Minter are the biggest names to know. Overall, it’s a merely competent bullpen that really struggled to throw strikes.

It took the Dodgers a little longer to figure out playoff seeding, as they had to play a one game playoff to decide the Western Division crown. Los Angeles has one of the best offenses in all of baseball. They have nine players: Max Muncy (lead the way with 35), Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, Yasmani Grandal, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Enrique Hernández each hitting 20-plus homers. Starting pitching is an edge for the Dodgers. Hyun-Jin Ryu, Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill are going to be a tough staff to face. If somehow the starting staff faulters, the bullpen is going to be a problem. Kenley Jansen has been average at best and if the starters don't jave have it, then their might not be a whole lot to lock forward to in getting to Jansen.

As solid as the Braves have been, the Dodgers have been that much better and then some. Look Atlanta has a solid all around team, but the Dodgers have the deeper club. No knock on the Braves by any stretch, they done a fine job with the growth and development of their young talent. At the end of the day, the Dodgers experience and depth at the plate is going to win out.

Prediction: Dodgers in 3