2022 Wildcard Round Playoffs Recap
American League
National League
1/2 correct thanks to Philadelphia
Wildcard Round total – 3/4 correct which is one standard deviation above the mean
American League Divisional Round Playoff Series
Cleveland Guardians (Central Division #3 seed) vs. New York Yankees (East Division #2 seed)
Regular Season records: Cleveland 92-70; New York Yankees 99-63
Head-to-Head matchups for 2022: New York Yankees won five out of the six games played and outscored Cleveland 38-14 in total runs.
Cleveland Guardians Analysis
Guardians made quick work of Tampa Bay in the Wildcard round by winning the first two games (2-1 in Game 1, 1-0 in Game 2 in 15 innings). Used eight pitchers to win Game 2, but now the entire staff is ready to go after two days of rest. Manager Terry Francona always has something new up his sleeve in the playoffs with his rotation. Cal Quantrill is currently scheduled to start Game 1, Shane Bieber in Game 2, and Tristen McKenzie in Game 3. Cleveland is lined up to throw their big three starting pitchers and their bats will eventually come alive.
New York Yankees Analysis
Yankees were the best team in MLB until 7/4/22. Stumbled in July going 13-13, really stunk in August (10-18), righted the ship in September (17-8), and closed out the season in October (3-3). Aaron Boone isn’t the right manager for this club. Boone tries to emulate his two predecessors, Joe Torre and Joe Girardi, but doesn’t have the intuition to make mid-game changes. He also has a unique temper in press conferences after New York loses games. RF Aaron Judge was the feel good story of the 2022 season, with an American League record 62 home runs. If the Yankees bullpen can’t figure things out quickly, it’ll be one and done for the fans in the Bronx.
Prediction: Cleveland wins the series in four games due to a better pitching staff and situational hitting with runners in scoring position (RISP)
Seattle Mariners (West Division #5 seed) vs. Houston Astros (West Division #1 seed)
Regular Season records: Seattle 90-72; Houston 106-56
Head-to-Head matchups in 2022: Houston won twelve out of the nineteen games played and outscored Seattle 73-65 in total runs.
Seattle Mariners Analysis
Seattle is currently on top of the world after waiting twenty-one years to get to the postseason, and then they sweep Toronto on the road. Had a dominant pitching and team hitting performance in Game 1 (4-0). Game 2 was a comeback for the ages, rallying from being down 8-1, to win 10-9. Mariners like to dance after big wins and they are walking tall into Minute Maid Park, with no expectations and no fear. Let’s play baseball, or simply embrace the chaos.
Houston Astros Analysis
Houston had a solid season leading the American League with 106 wins. Dusty Baker has found his niche as the new manager, post trash can pitching signals scandal. A deep rotation is led by Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Lance McCullers Jr. Middle relievers typically bridge the late innings to steady closer Ryan Pressly (33 saves, 2.98 ERA). Offense is now led by Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker. This series will determine if the trading deadline acquisition of DH Trey Mancini, likes the big stage of the playoffs. Mariners played the Astros tough during the first ten games in 2022, and then Houston dominated the last nine games.
Prediction: Will be a close and entertaining series, with the Astros depth and experience helping them to advance in five games
National League Divisional Round Playoff Series
Philadelphia Phillies (East Division #6 seed) vs. Atlanta Braves (East Division #2 seed)
Regular Season records: Philadelphia 87-75; Atlanta 101-61
Head-to-Head matchups in 2022: Atlanta won eleven out of the nineteen games played and outscored Philadelphia 88-85 in total runs.
Philadelphia Phillies Analysis
Phillies swept St. Louis thanks to a ninth inning defensive meltdown by the Cardinals in Game 1 (6-3), and a top notch pitching performance by Aaron Nola in Game 2 (2-0). Philadelphia’s bats came alive in this series, with 2B Jean Segura and DH Bryce Harper providing a spark. Interim manager Rob Thomson was rewarded with a new two year contract on 10/10/22, and now he gets to face the defending World Series champions. Great first assignment after signing a new contract.
Atlanta Braves Analysis
Braves shocked the world in 2021, by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and then Houston in the World Series. Bullpen became unhittable and OF Jorge Soler had an offensive series for the record books. Atlanta had a solid 2022 season winning 101 games, and were in a daily fight with the New York Mets to win the NL East Division. A long division race can either galvanize or wear out a team. Due to playing the 2021 World Series run without injured OF Ronald Acuna Jr., and the 2022 playoffs without 2B Ozzie Albies, nothing will deter the Braves from focusing on a repeat.
Prediction: Philadelphia is playing good baseball and have a sneaky pitching staff. Atlanta is too deep and battle tested which will help them advance in five games.
San Diego Padres (West Division #5 seed) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (West Division #1 seed)
Regular Season records: San Diego 89-73; Los Angeles Dodgers 111-51
Head-to-Head matchups in 2022: Los Angeles Dodgers won fourteen of the nineteen games played and outscored San Diego 109-47 in total runs.
San Diego Padres Analysis
Padres didn’t clinch a Wildcard berth until 10/2/22, due to being left in the NL West Division dust by the Los Angeles Dodgers (22 games behind). The media likes to hype a Padres/Dodgers rivalry, but it hasn’t materialized on the baseball diamond quite yet. After spending a chunk of change on starting pitchers (Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish, Blake Snell, Sean Manaea, Mike Clevinger), which led to the blockbuster mid-season trade of RF Juan Soto and DH Josh Bell. What looked like a sure bust, aligned perfectly at Citi Field in New York City, to eliminate the New York Mets in three games. Can the Padres keep the hits and stellar pitching going against the Dodgers?
Los Angeles Dodgers Analysis
Dodgers cruised to an MLB best record of 111-51. Pitching staff can easily shift to three starters with Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias and Tyler Anderson. Currently having some issues with choosing a true closer, due to removing the inconsistent Craig Kimbrel. Offense will go as far as OF Mookie Betts will take them. Starting lineup has six to seven power hitters and its never easy to get a 1-2-3 inning against this lineup. Dave Roberts is a solid postseason manager, but if his pitching staff gets stretched out due to long games, or a slew of situational at bats go dry, the Dodgers suddenly become vulnerable. Currently the NL favorite squad to get to the World Series, and frankly its theirs to lose.
Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers continue their dominance of San Diego and advance in four games
Same bat time, same bat channel in one week. I’ll review the results of the MLB Divisional round playoff series and try again for League Championship Series round.
