2016 MLB Wild Card Game picks

By Rick Morris

AL Wild Card Game: Baltimore at Toronto.  Both teams are absolutely capable of pummeling the ball, but the Jays should benefit from a raucous dome crowd and merit the edge in starting pitching.  If the game is tight in the late innings, the O’s could take it based on the bullpens, but they very well might not matter.  Pick: Toronto.

NL Wild Card Game: San Francisco at New York Mets.  Each team is trotting out a bazooka on the mound and each team ranks near the bottom offensively in this postseason, so runs will be at a premium.  The home team has a better bullpen, but the Giants have much better defense, so those factors even out a bit.  In the end, it’s just foolhardy to pick against the Giants in the playoffs unless you have a great reason to do so (which is looming in the form of the Cubs).  Pick: San Francisco.

 

LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

Cleveland over Boston in 5

Texas over Toronto in 4

Chicago Cubs over San Francisco in 4

Los Angeles Dodgers over Washington in 4

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Texas over Cleveland in 6

Chicago Cubs over Los Angeles Dodgers in 5

WORLD SERIES

Chicago Cubs over Texas in 5