Random Thoughts and MLB Postseason Predictions

For once, it looks like my preseason predictions were actually decent.

I missed on the order at the top of the AL East but did have both the Red Sox and Yankees advancing to October.  I nailed the Astros and Indians as division champions.  I struck out on the Angels but that second Wild Card team, the A's, is an AL West team from California so it wasn't too far off.

I also missed on the Braves in the NL East while reversing the Brewers and Cubs in the Central.  I had the Dodgers out West but struck out on the Giants, who were beat out by the Rockies.

The major award winners won't be out for a few weeks but my picks, other than Kershaw as NL Cy Young and Harper as NL MVP, all will be considered.

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My beloved Red Sox, who finished off a 108-54 season yesterday, will be lucky to advance to the ALCS let alone win the World Series.

This team has a loaded lineup, led by MVP candidates Mookie Betts and JD Martinez, have solid starting pitching that would be considered to be dominant if Chris Sale had thrown more than 17 innings in August and September, and a rookie manager in Alex Cora who seems to have the touch to lead a team to eleven wins in October.

The issue is the bullpen and, more importantly, ownership's decision not to take on payroll at the trade deadline to add a relief pitcher or three.

If this team fails to advance past the Division Series and make a serious run at the AL Pennant and the World Series, it will be squarely on the shoulders of John Henry and the rest of the Red Sox owners.  If they had been willing to take on a few extra million dollars of salary (and luxury tax) to bolster the bullpen, this team would be the definitive favorite to win a fourth World Series in the 21st Century.  By cheaping out in July and August, they have injured their team's chances of winning a loaded American League playoff field and could make this special team an afterthought in Red Sox history.

That is a fate this group did not deserve.

I hope they overcome ownership's tightfistedness but if they lose, don't rush to blame the players or Cora.  Blame the guys who control the cash.  They may have decided the fate of the 2018 Red Sox weeks before the first game of the ALDS.

Think about that while you're sipping on a $12 beer at Fenway.

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If you really want to hurt John Henry's wallet come to The Baseball Tavern, located in the shadow of Fenway Park, before (and after) each playoff game.

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Prediction time!

AL Wild Card

Athletics over Yankees

ALDS

Red Sox over Athletics
Astros over Indians

ALCS

Astros over Red Sox

NL Wild Card

Cubs over Rockies

NLDS

Cubs over Brewers
Dodgers over Braves

NLCS

Cubs over Dodgers

World Series

Astros over Cubs