FANTASY BASEBALL DIVISIONAL ROUND

By Muntradamus

BEAST DOME NATION.

And then there were 8. The first round of the Playoffs brought a certain energy to the air during the week. No longer was Monday-Friday just getting ready for Football Sunday, we had action. Getting to Thursday Night does not matter with how bad these Thursday Night Football matchups have been, until this Thursday.

AMERICAN LEAGUE (IN CALIFORNIA)

RAYS vs. YANKEES

The Rays pitching does have the advantage they need being in a pitchers ballpark as opposed to games in Yankee Stadium where everything flies out. While that does go to their advantage, these Yankees hitters can hit just about anywhere. The Yankee pitchers have not been great, which is a huge downside to this run. Of course Gerit Cole is Gerit Cole, but after him the starting rotation is very hit or miss. The Yankees bats are going to have to bail them out of this series, and luckily for them the Rays bats although can have timely hitting, is not a scray offense. In the end, I like the Yankees big bats to beat the Pitching in warm weather. Yankees advance.

ASTROS vs. A’s

The Astros get the easiest matchup they can ask for against the A’s. Both teams got breaks facing offenses in round 1 that were less than 100%. The Astros offense is far superior to the A’s, and the Astros also have much better pitchers. While it is amazing the A’s are as good as they are, the Astros are advancing.

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NATIONAL LEAGUE (IN TEXAS)

DODGERS vs. PADRES

Dodgers pitching looks to be on point, and the hitting can get it done as well even though the offense is not rocking quite yet. It would be HUGE if Lamet nor Cleveninger can pitch in this series, but even if they do at far less than 100% that is not going to be enough. The Dodgers offense can strike fire at any time and then it comes down to can someone like Urias win one game to put this series out of reach. Padres pitching is not what it was, Dodgers advance.

MARLINS vs. BRAVES

Wow the Marlins shocked everyone and beat the Cubs. Now they face the team the Braves want to face as they have been the kings over the Marlins in the NL East their entire career of all these players. Even Ozuna who is on the Braves who used to be on the Marlins. While the Marlins do have good young pitchers, the Braves offense is far superior and the Marlins bats are not a huge threat in this series. Braves advance.

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