The playoffs are finally here as the Wild Card round kicks off Tuesday with four games from four series. It’s been quite a journey getting to this point and for the twelve lucky contestants the real work is just beginning. Let’s dive into the picks!

National League

New York Mets vs Milwaukee Brewers

The Mets Win If: Their big bats carry the day. In a series where there isn’t a lot of high-profile starting pitching, it feels like both teams’ thumpers have to show out. Pete Alonso hasn’t been heard from in key moments this year, while Francisco Lindor certainly has. They’ll need both and then some to get the job done in this series, and I’d look for a veteran like JD Martinez to make his impact felt.

The Brewers Win If: Their bullpen neutralizes the Mets offense. As I said earlier this series doesn’t feature a lot of name brand starting pitchers, and the Brewers strength is their bullpen, which is superior to the Mets shaky relief core. If the Brewers flame throwers can walk through the bullpen door and take care of the big Mets bats, this series is theirs.

The Pick: Mets in Three Games. This should be a very tight series where the margin for error is small for both. I think this goes the distance and the Mets magic carpet ride continues for another round against a Milwaukee team that has a habit of underperforming in the playoffs.

Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres

The Braves Win If: Starting pitchers not named Chris Sale step up. That may sound overly simplistic but finding out right before the playoffs start that your ace is unable to go because of back spasms makes your life very difficult. The Braves need Max Fried and company to find a way to get it done on the road against an explosive Padres offense that feeds off its home crowd.

The Padres Win If: They keep getting contributions from up and down the lineup. Sure, the Padres are known for star players like Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr. and more. But to win in the playoffs it takes help from more than just your stars and the Padres have had that most of the year with guys like Donavan Solano, Jurickson Profar, Jake Cronenworth and even a resurgent Xander Bogaerts to help shoulder the load.

The Pick: Padres in Two Games. San Diego has played brilliant baseball for almost the entire second half as this team is firing on all cylinders, and I expect that continue well into October. The friars are deeper than this injury riddled Braves squad in just about every department and it’s not easy to see how the Braves get this done.

American League

Detroit Tigers vs Houston Astros

The Tigers Win If: Their pitching staff outperforms Houston’s arms. While the Astros have some household pitching names with playoff experience, the Tigers arrive in the playoffs boasting some of the most talented young arms in the game. That conversation begins and ends with soon to be Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal who will need set the tone in game one against playoff ace Framber Valdez. Detroit’s got some major flame throwers in their bullpen as well so Houston can’t fall behind.

The Astros Win If: Their playoff proven veterans show up. The Astros enter the playoffs with the most experience of any team in the field. Their winning pedigree is keyed by the likes of Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. Their opponents are as inexperienced as they come but that’s not always a bad thing. If Houston’s vets do their part and the crowd intimidate the young Tigers, this could get very hairy for the squad from the motor city.

The Pick: Astros in Three Games. I think the Astros vets will prove to be a little too much for the young and gritty Tigers. These games should be tight, which plays into the experienced Astros favor. Detroit’s time is coming, but it’s probably still an October away.

Kansas City Royals vs Baltimore Orioles

The Royals Win If: Their star players shine. Kansas City is a surprising participant in this postseason, carried by some of elite players throughout the season. Ace Seth Lugo, catcher Sal Perez, and of course superstar Bobby Witt Jr. have been at the center of this clubs success. That needs to continue if they want to punch their ticket to the next round of the playoffs this year!

The Orioles Win If: The real Orioles stand up. The O’s entered the season with so much hype around them it seemed almost impossible for them to live up to it, and their second half was extremely disappointing. While injuries played a part in that, it didn’t feel like Brandon Hyde’s group played up to par at all. They are getting healthier at the right time so perhaps the “real O’s” will show up and keep Birdland’s fall dreams rolling into the next round.

The Pick: Orioles in three games. While I think this series is very close, I think the O’s high-end talent and better depth outlasts KC in this short series. The Orioles bullpen is exploitable though and someone must step up in the late innings to ensure they don’t go out early again.

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