Welcome back to Two Weeks Notice, a biweekly sports column that predicts games roughly two weeks in advance through a satirically analytical lens.
This week, I’ve got some scary predictions for games being played on the eeriest night of the year: Halloween. From a West Coast versus East Coast battle on the ice to potential never before seen MLB playoff games, I’m rooting for the Southern California teams through and through.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers currently crushing the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 in the National League Championship, their chances for victory in a second consecutive World Series are high. However, who they match up against is dicey, with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners series tied at 2-2.
Call me an optimist, but I’m pulling for the Mariners to sail into their first World Series appearance.
Although the Blue Jays have outrun the Mariners 25-19 in total runs during the past four games, Seattle won 53 games at T-Mobile Park this season and have a chance of winning their last home game of the American League Championship. Contrary to their series success away from Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays were only a 50-50 bet for success when traveling this year, going 42-42 on the road.
If the 2025 World Series ends up being Dodgers versus Mariners, LA fans will definitely show up for their beloved designated hitter and pitcher Shohei “Shotime” Ohtani. – No. 17 better not disappoint.
Seattle may put up a good fight, but my prediction is that the Dodgers win at home on Oct. 31 in a spooky 4-2 series as Ohtani’s bat hasn’t been as reliable in the postseason. Hopefully, the Seattle Mariners can make it to the Fall Classic, but they will ultimately fall short before tasting victory.
Although the NBA preseason just started on Oct. 6, I have high hopes for the Los Angeles Clippers.. Regular games begin on Tuesday and the team will play the New Orleans Pelicans at their home arena, Intuit Dome, in the NBA Cup group stage just 10 days later on All Hallows’ Eve.
The Clips and Pels have gone 2-1 and 2-2 in their preseason games, respectively, but – with a frightening lack of stats from seasonal gameplay – I can only hope the Clippers have the wind in their sails as they kickoff the first round of the tournament.
Hockey is also in the beginnings of its season, as the NHL started regular games on Oct. 7. On Halloween night, the Anaheim Ducks (2-2-0) will face off against the Detroit Red Wings (3-1-0) at the Honda Center.
Neither team made the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year – the Duck’s seventh consecutive miss and the Red Wings’ ninth – a terrifying omen for how the teams may perform this season.
If Anaheim’s current top scorer, right wing Leo Carlsson, can get a few pucks past Detroit goalie John Gibson, the Ducks have a triumphant chance. Plus, with Gibson’s backup goaltender Cam Talbot recently stepping in, the West Coast team can advance off of an unstable protection of the Red Wings’ net.
These may turn out to be horrifying predictions, but Southern Californian teams never back down from a challenge – no matter how sinister.
Go Dodgers, Go Clippers, Go Ducks and Fight On ‘SC – let’s hope my Notre Dame predictions hold up this Saturday. See y’all Halloweekend!