Atlanta Braves
As we enter the final week of the MLB season, the playoff teams are becoming more and more clear. So it’s time to predict who will be World Series Champion in a few short weeks.
In baseball, it’s not always about who has the best team on paper come playoff time. How you are playing at the end of the year and team chemistry play a big factor.
The team with the best ingredients to win the World Series this season is the Atlanta Braves.
First, the Braves are one of the hottest teams in all of baseball. They have won eight of their last 10 games and as the St. Louis Cardinals proved last year that is extremely important.
But the most impressive thing about Atlanta is their pitching.
Relief pitcher turned starter, Kris Medlen, is 9-1 with a 1.64 ERA and has virtually been unhittable for the Braves down the stretch. Veteran Tim Hudson has had a solid year and will provide experience for Atlanta in the postseason.
The Braves’ bullpen is just as impressive. Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty form the best eighth and ninth inning duo in baseball. If an opponent is down late in the game good luck.
Don’t be surprised if Atlanta is hoisting the World Series trophy at the end of October.
-Alex Ross
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are going to win the World Series this year.
The truth is in the numbers, and the Nationals, especially when it comes to pitching, own the numbers to make it to the World Series.
Their offensive production improved dramatically. The Nationals improved from second fewest to the fourth most hits in the NL.
Rookie Bryce Harper, seasoned veteran Adam LaRoche, and second baseman Ian Desmond have led the way for Washington combining for 75 home runs.
On top of that, the Nationals sport a stellar pitching rotation. They led the league in ERA and have the third most strikeouts in the NL. Even with Strasburg shutdown for the postseason, the Nationals should own the best rotation heading into the playoffs.
They have two starters with sub 3.00 ERA in Gio Gonzalez, and Jordan Zimmerman and a strong bullpen led by closer Tyler Clippard.
The Nationals have too many excuses not to lose to succumb to the idea that they are too young to be successful. They are too strong a team to not be successful which is why they win the World Series.
-David Israel
