Milwaukee Brewers
BY BEAU WOODCOCK
The Milwaukee Brewers will make their first postseason appearance since 2011 thanks to their solid offense led by former MVP Ryan Braun and first baseman Eric Thames, who had a breakout season. The Brewers will surpass the Colorado Rockies and make their way into the NL Wild Card game.
Early in the season, the Brewers were series contenders to capture the NL Central title, however, the Chicago Cubs veteran experience proved to be the difference maker in the division race. The Brew Crew have a serious shot at picking up the last wild card spot though, and if their offense can find their groove, they should be able to make a run at it.
Ronan will try and sell you on Colorados two-game lead this late in the season, but if theres anyone that can overcome the odds, its the Milwaukee Brewers. While the Brewers lack experience and have several younger players, their youth makes them more fresh and ready to handle late-season action. This team has been improving down the stretch, with young guys like Keon Broxton stepping up and playing a major role in this comeback.
The Brewers rivalry with the St. Louis will provide more motivation for the Brewers to complete a series sweep this weekend. The Brewers slipped in August and September, which dropped them out of the division race, but the Brew Crew remain a huge factor in the wild card. The Brewers will complete the comeback and advance to the NL Wild Card game against the Diamondbacks.
Meanwhile, Colorado will be left wondering how they let the pesky Brew Crew come from out of nowhere to pass them up. The Brewers will not only advance to the wild card game, but do some real damage in the postseason when they get there.
Colorado Rockies
BY RONAN KHALSA
The Colorado Rockies will reach the NL Wild Card game this year thanks to their core of seasoned veterans. Players like Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez will continue their strong play and earn their team a trip to the postseason.
While this season has seen a huge increase in the amount of home-runs, come October, pitching is what teams are going to be depending on. The Rockies have already done a magnificent job overcoming the struggles posed by playing at Coors Field, their home ballpark. Those struggles are due to the stadiums altitude, which make baseballs fly further on average than any other ballpark.
Although the team’s ERA currently sits at 4.52, the starters have turned in quality outings when needed most. This season, the Rockies carry a .636 winning percentage in one-run games. Therefore, if the team can get the ball to their bullpen, especially closer Greg Holland, they will be the team celebrating on the field following the last out of the season.
The Rockies are balanced offensively with seven players in their starting line-up, possessing a batting average above the .255 2017 MLB average. The Rockies also have a great lineup, stacked with on-base connoisseurs and home-run bashers, not to mention their exemplary defense all the way around the diamond.
While Beau will tell you that the St. Louis Cardinals are the real deal, their current roster lacks experience. The Cardinals are rebuilding in the middle of a postseason race and are not prepared for the toll an extended season takes on the body. Not to mention, the guy is a Cardinal fan.
This weekend, the Rockies will beat the scuffling Los Angeles Dodgers to secure a date with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the postseason. Its time to let the well-travelled men in Colorado rock this postseason; they have waited long enough.
