Season Preview: Playoffs and World Series predictions

Sep 4, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) drives in a run with a base hit in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Laura Pollack, Staff Writer:

For the record, I hope my playoff predictions don’t come true. Just like every die-hard Mets fan, I always root for them to win the World Series. While I think they can make the playoffs this year, I sadly don’t think they’ll be the 2015 world champs.

I think the Mets will get the second Wild Card spot and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates — who’ll be the other National League Wild Card — to advance further into the playoffs. The Nationals will have the most wins in the National League, followed by the Dodgers and then the Cardinals, ensuring they all take their respective divisions again. These teams are still just as stacked with talent as they were last year, and I don’t think anyone else can knock them down.

The Dodgers will beat the Cardinals to advance to the NLCS, but unfortunately I think the Nationals will end the Mets’ season here. Again, I really hope I’m wrong. It pains me to talk about how good our division rivals are, but Washington is good — really good. Thankfully, I think the Nationals will get knocked out of the playoffs in the NLCS by the Dodgers, who made smart moves this offseason that will help get them to the World Series.

Meanwhile, over in the American League, the Mariners will have the most wins, followed by the Tigers and Red Sox, marking them all as division champs. The Angels and Athletics will both get Wild Card spots, with the Angels beating them out for a spot in the ALDS.

At the end, it will be the Mariners who make it to the World Series to take on the Dodgers. I love a good underdog story, and if the Mets aren’t going all the way I’d love to see Seattle take the championship. After years of playing mediocre baseball, they finally are ready to prove they’re a championship team. Between Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager leading the offense, and Felix Hernandez leading their rotation, this team is in a great spot to surprise baseball fans everywhere.

National League

Wild Card Game:

Mets (2nd WC) over Pirates (1st WC)

NLDS:

Nationals over Mets
Dodgers over Cardinals

NLCS:

Dodgers over Nationals

American League

Wild Card Game:

Angeles (1st WC) over Athletics (2nd WC)

ALDS:

Mariners over Angels
Tigers over Red Sox

ALCS:

Mariners over Tigers

World Series:

Mariners over Dodgers

Next: Justin Weiss's Playoffs and World Series predictions