I'm going to quickly run through my my MLB playoff and post-season award predictions.
ALDS
Los Angeles Angels over Kansas City Royals, 3 games to 2
Detroit Tigers over Baltimore Orioles, 3 games to 1
Even though they have the best record in baseball and are pretty stacked on offense, I do not believe the Angels are the best team in baseball. Considering Kansas City's success with the small ball strategy, the quality of their starting rotation in relation to Los Angeles', and how nasty their bullpen is, I almost want to pick an upset. That Angels bullpen is pretty nasty too, and though their rotation is their greatest weakness, with home field advantage they should be able to do enough damage to squeak this one out. I think the Royals will make it a challenge, though.
The Orioles also have a quality bullpen (unlike the Detroit Tigers, who's bullpen desperately needs to see the bare minimum of innings this post-season to do as little damage to their own team as possible) and are stacked on offense, but injuries and suspensions will screw 'em. Their starting rotation is the worst or second worst in the 2014 playoffs, and that won't help things at all. If the Tigers can get eight innings a game out of each of their starters and their bats simply don't go into their usual post-season slumber, this series should be cake. Even if they choose to make it difficult for themselves, like they've been doing all regular season, the Tigs should still take this series.
NLDS
Washington Nationals over San Francisco Giants, 3 games to 2
Los Angeles Dodgers over St. Louis Cardinals, 3 games to 2
The Giants continue their trend of making the playoffs every other year, but, this time they will fall short of winning the World Series. They'll certainly make it hard on the Nationals, but, Washington has the best or second best overall team in the post-season, and I think they'll end San Francisco's magic. This SF team is not as good as their previous two WS winners.
Per usual, every team should be scared of the St. Louis Cardinals. They always find ways to win in the playoffs, and their lineup really is quite stacked. It's just been an off year for them, which shouldn't mean that they can't make it to the World Series necessarily, I just don't think they have the stuff. I also kinda think the Dodgers are the team of destiny this year, and also, they're simply better than the Cardinals in pretty much every way.
ALCS
Detroit Tigers over Los Angeles Angels, 4 games to 2
MVP: J.D. Martinez, OF
Once again, I just don't really believe in this Angels team. They will score runs on this Tigers pitching staff for sure, but hopefully Scherzer and co. will keep the damage minimal. This offense should surely be able to beat up on the Los Angeles rotation, but, again, you know what usually happens to those Tiger bats in the post-season.
NLCS
Los Angeles Dodgers over Washington Nationals, 4 games to 3
MVP: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
This will be a beauty of a series. The Nationals have the best five-man rotation in all of baseball, and I firmly believe they could have success using all five guys throughout the playoffs. The Dodgers, however, by this point will be down to a three-man rotation, and they certainly have the greatest one-through-three starter combination. Between that and a more dangerous offense, I think the Dodgers have the slight edge. This would be an NLCS to remember, for sure.
World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers over Detroit Tigers, 4 games to 1
MVP: Clayton Kershaw, SP
Much like in 2012, the Tigers surprising magic run will end by them getting completely annihilated in the World Series. This time, it will be at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Considering the season Clayton Kershaw has had, the way teams dwindle down their starting rotations for the post-season, and how many weapons they have on offense, I'm just having a hard time seeing anyone else winning it all. Against this Tigers team, they will do so dominantly.
POST-SEASON AWARDS
Disregarding popular opinion, here's how I think things SHOULD, not WILL, pan out.
AL Manager of the Year
(1) Ned Yost, Kansas City
(2) Buck Showalter, Baltimore
(3) Mike Scioscia Los Angeles
NL Manager of the Year
(1) Matt Williams, Washington
(2) Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh
(3) Bruce Bochy, San Francisco
AL Rookie of the Year
(1) Jose Abreu, Chicago (1B)
(2) Dellin Betances, New York (RP)
(3) Collin McHugh, Houston (SP)
NL Rookie of the Year
(1) Jacob deGrom, New York (SP)
(2) Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati (OF)
(3) Ken Giles, Philadelphia (RP)
AL Cy Young
(1) Felix Hernandez, Seattle (SP)
(2) Corey Kluber, Cleveland (SP)
(3) Chris Sale, Chicago (SP)
NL Cy Young
(1) Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles (SP)
(2) Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati (SP)
(3) Adam Wainwright, St. Louis (SP)
AL MVP
(1) Michael Brantley, Cleveland (OF)
(2) Mike Trout, Los Angeles (OF)
(3) Jose Abreu, Chicago (1B)
NL MVP
(1) Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles (SP)
(2) Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh (OF)
(3) Buster Posey, San Francisco (C)
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