MLB Playoffs: Divisional Round preview and players to watch
All four series kicks off on Saturday
After mostly a boring Wildcard round that saw each team advance by way of a sweep, things are sure to kick up in the best of five divisional round starting.
All four series will be spread out throughout Saturday, with an opportunity to tune into each one of them.
Baltimore Orioles (101-61) vs Texas Rangers (90-72)
Season series: 3-3 Tied
Pitching Matchup:
BAL - Kyle Bradish
TEX - Andrew Heaney
Player to Watch: Gunnar Henderson
After a rough start to the season, Henderson turned the corner and showed why he was one of the top prospects in baseball. He finished with 28 home runs, a wRC+ of 123 and a WAR of 4.6. That’s after being nearly unplayable the first two months of the season.
Houston Astros (90-72) vs Minnesota Twins (87-75)
Season series: 4-2 Minnesota
Pitching Matchup:
HOU - Justin Verlander
MIN - Bailey Ober
Player to Watch: Carlos Correa
Might be the easy answer, but the Astros drafted Carlos Correa first overall back in 2012. They let him walk in free agency and his replacement (Jeremy Pena) won the World Series MVP as a rookie.
Atlanta Braves (104-58) vs Philadelphia Phillies (90-72)
Season series: 8-5 Atlanta
Pitching Matchup:
ATL - Spencer Strider
PHI - Ranger Suarez
Player to Watch: Ronald Acuna Jr.
Quite simply, may be the most exciting player to watch in baseball right now. When the Braves won the World Series, he was out with an injury, so it’s a chance to help carry the team to another with him involved. Oh, yea, he also hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases, making him the favorite for the MVP.
Los Angles Dodgers (100-62) vs Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78)
Season series: 8-5 Los Angeles
Pitching Matchup:
LAD - Clayton Kershaw
ARI - TBD
Player to Watch: Mookie Betts
If there is one player who can make a case for Acuna to not be the MVP, it’s Betts. He finished with an OPS of .987 after slugging 39 home runs and has done everything that the Dodgers have asked of him, including playing shortstop.
I think THE player to watch this post-season is quickly becoming Evan Carter. That guy is en fuego.
It's hard watching Gunnar Henderson and Rutschmans success. I'm not seeing our picks being in their same league. Which is why we need Skenes to be the pitcher we all expect.