Arizona Diamondbacks: Venom Strikes writers predict the 2017 Postseason
The postseason is upon us and that means it is time for the Venom Strikes team to make predictions! Without further ado here is who site expert Trisha Garcia and contributors Joe Jacquez and David Coffey think will rule October.
How far will the Arizona Diamondbacks go in October? It is time to make some predictions.
Feel free to disagree with any of us in the comments section below but most importantly, enjoy the most exciting play this great game of baseball has to offer.
Disclaimer: AL Wild Card predictions were made before the start of the game. The New York Yankees did beat the Minnesota Twins, 8-4, on Tuesday night.
AL Wild Card – Twins @ Yankees
Trisha: Yankees
The Twins have had a good year, but they were swept by the Yankees IN Minnesota and they don’t perform well at Yankee Stadium. Plus, how could I vote against Aaron Judge?
David: Yankees
The Yankees always play well at home and Arron Judge is still on a hot streak. I don’t see them losing.
Joe: Yankees
Ervin Santana has struggled with the long ball this season. The Yankees love to hit home runs. I will take New York.
NL Wild Card – Rockies @ Diamondbacks
Trisha: D-backs
They have so much momentum and passion, it’s hard to root against them. But, I also think Zack Greinke is the stronger starter here. It’ll be close, definitely the better matchup of the Wild Card games.
David: D-backs
Zack Greinke is almost unbeatable at Chase field and Jon Gray has struggled on 6+ days rest this year in three starts he has an ERA of 11.25
Joe: D-backs
Why would I pick against the D-backs? That is all.
AL Division Series – Red Sox vs. Astros
Trisha: Astros in four
Just because Boston took the division, doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the strongest contender. They’ll have a little fight in them, but Houston has a deep rotation now and they’ll come out on top.
David: Astros
Houston will be playing not only for a pennant but for an entire city. Much like the Yankees rose to the WS in 2001 the Astros should do the same.
Joe: Astros in four
Pitching matters in the postseason and Houston clearly has the better rotation. Boston’s starting staff is filled with question marks. I see that being the difference in this series.
AL Division Series – Yankees vs. Indians
Trisha: Indians in five
I’m giving the Yankees some credit here. They’ll be lucky to pull out one win let alone two. Cleveland is strong…and a little scary.
David: Indians in four
The Indians have been playing the best baseball over the last two months. This hot streak should continue and win in 4.
Joe: Indians in four
The Indians are easily the best team in the American League, if not all of baseball. Cleveland is deeper in all fazes and has proven almost impossible to beat. Both teams have great back end bullpen options, but the Indians winning ways will continue.
NL Division Series – Cubs vs. Nationals
Trisha: Nationals in five
This is going to five games for sure, but I’m gonna go with the Nationals. I know the Cubs are the defending champs, but the Nationals have three insane starters and Bryce Harper coming back. He’ll have a slow start but I think he’ll pick up momentum with the team.
David: Nationals in four
Bryce Harper is back on the field and he will want to remind us all of what were have been missing. Nationals in 4.
Joe: Nationals in five
The Chicago Cubs looked more like the team that won the World Series in the second half. That will make for a close series. But the Nationals have three legitimate CY Young candidates. Even with questions surrounding Max Scherzer‘s health, I think he will be ready to go in game three.
NL Division Series – Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers
Trisha: Diamondbacks in five
The series we’re all waiting for…the Dodgers had a great run, but it’s almost over. They aren’t strong enough to win the World Series and they’ll become somewhat of a martyr for 2018. The Diamondbacks have edged them all season and it’s time for it to come to fruition.
David: Diamondbacks in five
The Diamondbacks play the Dodgers really well and beat them in the regular season series.
Joe: Diamondbacks in five
The Dodgers may have the better overall record, but the Diamondbacks are playing better baseball and Los Angeles does not want to see them. The D-backs have proven they can win convincingly at Dodger Stadium.
AL Championship Series – Astros vs. Indians
Trisha: Indians in six
Again, Cleveland is scary strong. They have a much deeper rotation, which some are calling the best ever. They’ll be hard to beat, but it’ll make for a good series.
David: Astros in six
Cleveland may have all the momentum but Houston will have the entire nation behind them and the sense of Hollywood story will carry them to the WS in 6.
Joe: Indians in six
If the Astros did not have questions about their rotation, I would say this series could easily go the distance. Both teams have great lineups and bullpens, but the Indians rotation is superior, thanks in large part to recent injury issues for Houston.
NL Championship Series – Diamondbacks vs. Nationals
Trisha: Nationals in six
It’s going to be rough to watch, but I think the Diamondbacks will get overpowered by the Nationals pitching. They’ll battle with Robbie Ray pitching, or if Greinke pitches at Chase Field, but it just won’t be enough.
David: D-backs in seven
The Diamondbacks have the bats and the pitching needed to beat any team in a seven-game series. This will come down to a high scoring game seven.
Joe: Nationals in six
Unfortunately, this is where the improbable run for the Diamondbacks ends. Position by position, one could argue the Nationals have a deeper lineup and the Nationals starting pitching (basically with three aces) will be too much.
World Series
Trisha: Indians beat Nationals
Sticking with the Indians on this one. Not that I’d ever want Cleveland to get another championship, but I’ll keep my basketball-bias out. They’re rotation is strong enough to topple any NL team. It’ll be a great series to watch, but if I had my way, it’d be the Yankees and Diamondbacks.
David: D-backs beat Astros
Arizona much like they did in 2001 will ruin the story script and win their second World Series. It will be a hard-fought series but it will come down to a game seven where Arizona will steal the game in Houston.
Joe: Indians beat Nationals
After the heartbreak of last season’s Fall Classic, the Indians are even better this season and have experience on their side. They are the most complete team in baseball. After all, Terry Franconca’s team won 22 games in a row for a reason.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Q&A with Rockies FanSided Site Expert
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