Updated Post-Deadline 2018 MLB Postseason Predictions

Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone in Major League Baseball, several teams have helped themselves out. It looked like the Washington Nationals might deal franchise cornerstone Bryce Harper, but he ended up staying with the Nationals — who are only 5 ½ games out of first place. If their manager could get them to play baseball instead of squabbling in the dugout, they could vault past the Phillies and Braves in two weeks and roll into the postseason. But will he? The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up a young starter in Chris Archer and a young closer in Keone Kela to help them in the wild card chase — and down the road, as both remain under team control through the 2021 season. That’s basically the opposite of the Tampa Bay Rays, who came out of the trade deadline with exactly zero starting pitchers in their depth chart. Now that we’re into August, let’s take a look at postseason predictions for your MLB betting on futures in the national pastime.

Updated Post-Deadline 2018 MLB Postseason Predictions

After this weekend’s sweep, there’s only one choice for No. 1 in our MLB Power Rankings. pic.twitter.com/wCmAsCh6YR

— ESPN (@espn) August 6, 2018

American League East Champs: Boston Red Sox

Sure, they could use some more setup help in the bullpen. But they added Nathan Eovaldi to their starting rotation, and he’s thrown fifteen scoreless innings in his two starts in Beantown. They did add Ian Kinsler for both offense and defense, but he went straight to the disabled list. Given the chaos in New York, with Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge on the DL and the starting rotation unraveling, this looks like Boston’s year.

American League Central Champs: Cleveland Indians

This isn’t a dominant Indians team like we’ve seen the past couple of seasons, but Minnesota is the closest competition in the division, and they’re not looking like contenders. The Tribe brought in relievers Adam Cimber and Brad Hand to address their biggest need, and they added a decent defensive center fielder in Leonys Martin. However, their biggest bats in the outfield — Lonnie Chisenhall and Tyler Naquin — are on the shelf until at least Labor Day, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see another deal come through after it clears waivers.

American League West Champs: Houston Astros

The Astros added a catcher in Martin Maldonado and added two relievers to a stocked bullpen in Ryan Pressly and Roberto Osuna, whose domestic violence case could cause ripples in a clubhouse that, to this point, had solid chemistry. Seattle is fading in the West, and while Oakland is making a charge, I don’t see the Athletics catching Houston.

American League Wild Cards: New York Yankees, Oakland A’s

The Athletics have gone 20-10 in the combined starts of Edwin Jackson, Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill this season, and they also have Sean Manaea leading the rotation. The Yankees have gone 14-15 since July 2, when they were tied for the AL East lead with Boston. They’d have to fall into a protracted slump for the Mariners or the Twins to catch them for the other wild card at this point.

American League Pennant Winner: Boston Red Sox

 

National League East Champs: Washington Nationals

Washington still has 16 games left against Philadelphia and Atlanta, the two teams ahead of them in the division. They’re only 5 ½ games back, even though the only starting pitcher who’s been decent for them is Max Scherzer. Bryce Harper played like an All-Star for the first two weeks of the season and has vanished since then. It’s hard to imagine the young Phillies and Braves not wilting a little in the postseason glare and seeing the Nats pass them in the division.

National League Central Champs: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs picked up starter Cole Hamels from Texas at the trade deadline. He has a 3-1 career record at Wrigley Field with a 1.76 ERA — and a no-hitter in 2015, when he was with Philadelphia. They’re fighting off a Brewers team that picked up Joakim Soria, Jonathan Schoop and Mike Moustakas at the trade deadline. But will it be enough?

National League West Champs: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers improved their middle infield significantly via trades to get Manny Machado and Brian Dozier. They also added John Axford to their bullpen. I thought they might go get one more starting pitcher, but they haven’t done so yet. I still see their rotation and offense as better enough than Arizona’s to win the division.

National League Wild Cards: Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks

 

National League Pennant Winner: Chicago Cubs

 

World Series Winner: Boston Red Sox