2021 MLB Season Review and Playoff Predictions

 

Now that the regular season has ended and (post Wild Card) playoffs start today, it’s time for a quick look back at my predictions for this year, how I did, and some predictions for the playoffs.  I’ll list it as the actual standings and my prediction in brackets.

 

American League

East

 

Tampa Bay Rays (3)

Boston Red Sox (4)

New York Yankees (1)

Toronto Blue Jays (2)

Baltimore Orioles (5)

 

I did not see the Red Sox being as good as they were, and as usual I undervalued the Rays.  I’m still upset that the Blue Jays just missed out on the playoffs.

 

Central

 

Chicago White Sox (2)

Cleveland Indians (3)

Detroit Tigers (5)

Kansas City Royals (4)

Minnesota Twins (1)

 

I am shocked at how bad the Twins ended up, though to be fair this division was very close outside the White Sox.  And I did have the Sox in the Wild Card.

 

West

 

Houston Astros (1)

Seattle Mariners (4)

Oakland Athletics (2)

Los Angeles Angels (3)

Texas Rangers (5)

 

I don’t feel too bad missing out on the Mariners because I feel like nobody had them finishing second and just outside the Wild Card.  That came out of nowhere, and otherwise I was right on.

 

National League

East

 

Atlanta Braves (1)

Philadelphia Phillies (4)

New York Mets (2)

Miami Marlins (5)

Washington Nationals (3)

 

I’m glad the Braves held up, even after the loss of Acuna, but this division was pretty weak.  Obviously, I was surprised at the Phillies finishing second.

 

Central

 

Milwaukee Brewers (2)

St. Louis Cardinals (1)

Cincinnati Reds (3)

Chicago Cubs (4)

Pittsburgh Pirates (5)

 

Almost got this one perfectly.  At least I got the two playoff teams correct, just in reverse order.

 

West

 

San Francisco Giants (4)

Los Angeles Dodgers (1)

San Diego Padres (2)

Colorado Rockies (5)

Arizona Diamondbacks (3)

 

Again, I don’t feel too bad about missing on the Giants because I feel like nobody saw that coming.  Even now, looking at their stats, I have no idea how they won the most games in baseball.  The Twins were the most disappointing team in baseball (for me), but the Padres were very close.

 

Overall: 7 of 12 playoff teams ain’t bad

 

Now for my predictions:

 

Playoffs: (Original prediction was repeat of last year: Braves over Astros, which could still happen)

 

 (Yes WC games were already played, but I’m posting my original predictions)

AL Wild Card: Red Sox over Yankees (Sox look better right now – I was right!)

NL Wild Card: Cardinals over Dodgers (Cards were the hot team – I was wrong)

 

ALDS: Astros over White Sox in 5 (Astros limped into the playoffs, but still a better team)

            Rays over Red Sox in 4 (Rays are a much better overall team)

 

NLDS: Braves over Brewers in 4 (unless Yelich returns to 2018 form)

            Giants over Dodgers in 4 (somehow they keep winning)

 

ALCS: Rays over Astros in 6 (weak bullpen rears its ugly head)

            Braves over Giants in 7 (Fried and Morton fuel a surging young team)

 

World Series: Rays over Braves in 6 (Rays are just too solid to lose, unless they pull a starter too soon again)

 

I really feel like there is no obvious best team in baseball this year, so anybody has a chance to get hot at the right time.  If Acuna was healthy, I would feel much better about picking the Braves.