If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 24

By John in Featured, MLB, Red Sox ⋅ September 27, 2012 at 7:18pm ⋅ Post a comment

Nationals vs Rangers: Week 24's prediction for the World Series

Just one week remains in the regular season, and there’s still plenty to play for. No AL team has even locked up a playoff spot so far, and only two of the NL divisions have been won. Both #1 seeds, essential for drawing a tired Wildcard team, are still very much up in the air. The Wildcard situations are quite as dramatic, but are still open for the taking for a determined team. This is the time when border teams show the utmost desperation, so let’s look at what would happen if the playoffs started as of Thursday, September 27 at 7:15

National League

#1 Washington Nationals

The Nationals are still clinging to the #1 spot by half a game. After an iffy patch against the Brewers and Phillies, the Nationals are a little precarious, but still have the tools with which to be a playoff force if they put their minds to it.

#2 Cincinnati Reds vs #3 San Francisco Giants

The Reds, like the Nats, have alternated wins and losses lately, against the Dodgers and Brewers. The Giants are gaining ground themselves, and it will be a great series, but Cincinnati does have 50 home wins.

#W1 Atlanta Braves vs #W2 St. Louis Cardinals

Atlanta has won four in a row to take a 6.5-game lead over the Cardinals. St. Louis is 3.5 games ahead of the Dodgers, but they’re still too far behind Atlanta to be considered to defend their crown.

American League

#1 Texas Rangers

Texas is still struggling to put a winning streak together. That could easily cost them, but they do have plenty of firepower to use against anyone who underestimates them.

#2 New York Yankees vs #3 Detroit Tigers

The Yankees are 8-2 in their last 10, but Detroit has won four straight to surge to a 1.5-game lead over Chicago. The Yankees will also likely have to deal with Justin Verlander twice, but at least the Tigers are 34-41 on the road. That is New York’s best chance to move forward using C.C. Sabathia and their power bats.

#W1 Baltimore Orioles vs #W2 Oakland Athletics

Suddenly, Oakland is having a difficult time. Baltimore is struggling to pick up a game on New York, but with Boston coming to town, Baltimore has a nice tuneup to stay ahead of Oakland and prepare for their likely first-round foe.

Predicted Final Standings

	AL	NL
#1	Yankees	Reds
#2	Rangers	Nationals
#3	Tigers	Giants
#W1	Orioles	Braves
#W2	Athletics	Cardinals

Predicted Playoff Outcomes

	AL	NL
Wildcard	Orioles def Athletics	Braves def Cardinals

Divisional	Yankees def Orioles	Reds def Braves
Divisional	Rangers def Tigers	Giants def Nationals

LCS	Yankees def Rangers	Reds def Giants

World Series	Reds def Yankees