It’s that time of year for baseball fans as the MLB playoffs start today. It’s no surprise that the favorites to win the world series are the Braves and the Dodgers. But what about the Diamondbacks? Or the Marlins? Maybe even the Twins?
There’s always that one Cinderella story that comes about when you talk about the playoffs. But who will it be is anyone’s guess this year.
Michael Gonzales, a teacher from South El Monte High School, believes that the Brewers will surprise the league as their pitching and defense will carry them to victory.
Michael Gonzales: Pitching usually wins all that stuff. So in my opinion, the Brewers have a really good staff. I know they’re the three seed going to go up against the six, but I think the Brewers are an underdog. And pitching and defense wins championships they don’t really swing it that well, but they keep their teams in the games with how they are on the mound.
But Jacob Galloway, Sophomore Catcher at USC, thinks otherwise. Galloway believes that with the Rangers middle infield, the team is set to make a run in the playoffs.
Jacob Galloway: I’m gonna go with the Rangers. Uh, they got a good combo up the middle seat with Semien and, uh, Seager. Seager has been hot, so I’ll go with them.
Senior Journalism Major Nicole Barron also agrees that the Rangers will be a team to watch out for. But Barron also adds that the Rays could also turn some heads, even though she is a Dodgers fan at heart.
Nicole Barron: Yeah, going back to the Rangers, I mean, they could maybe they have a deep bullpen. So I’ve been looking they better they have better rotations than the Dodgers for sure. We’re missing like our top five pitchers, and yet we still are winning our division. So whatever. But I think it’s going to be between the Rangers and the Rays for the underdog.
From the Rangers to the Rays, the American League seems to have it going. But USC sophomore . Matias Krouse believes the the Phillies may have what it takes to make it through.
Matias Krouse: I think Phillies are going to have a pretty easy ride until they face the Orioles and then they’re going to take it from them in six and they’re going to win it all. I think I think the Braves can hold up against them.
With the wild card games starting today, who knows how the playoffs will shape up in the end.