NFL Picks: Week 6

Last week: 7-7
Season record: 40-37

NFL Picks: Week 5

2016 NLDS and ALDS Preview

American League

Blue Jays vs. Rangers

How they got here: The Blue Jays won the AL Wildcard Game over the Orioles behind an explosive offense and solid pitching. Meanwhile, the Rangers won the AL West and homefield advantage throughout the AL Playoffs for the second straight year with an insane 36-11 record in 1-run games. 

Prediction: In this series, I like Rangers to get revenge on the Blue Jays for beating them last year in the ALDS. Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish are two aces that Toronto can't match.

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Red Sox vs. Indians

How they got here: The Red Sox slugged their way to the AL East title, with a fearsome lineup top to bottom, led by MVP candidate Mookie Betts and retiring DH David Ortiz. Meanwhile, the Indians own the AL Central behind solid starting pitching and timely hitting. 

Prediction:  Can't go against the retiring Big Papi and the playoff experience of the Red Sox.

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National League

Dodgers vs. Nationals

How they got here: LA won the NL West behind an outstanding pitching staff, led by ace Clayton Kershaw, trade deadline acquistion Rich Hill, and rookie Kenta Maeda. Washington's pitching was also outstanding as it won the NL East, behind ace Max Scherzer, Steven Strasburg, and Tanner Roark.

Prediction: Runs will at a premium in this series, with outstanding starting pitching on both sides. It comes down to clutch hitting and I think the Nationals suffer due to the loss of Wilson Ramos and the banged up Daniel Murphy.
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Giants vs. Cubs

How they got here: Giants rode a Madison Bumgarner shutout to win the NL Wild Card last night 3-0 in New York, while the Cubs won the NL Central with ease, behind the best pitching staff in baseball and an equally great offense.

Prediction: I might be a fool to pick against the Giants in an even numbered year, but this is the Cubs year and they are the team to beat. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo produce just enough runs for the Cubbies to advance.

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My 2016 MLB Awards

The regular season has ended, with my Astros missing the playoffs =(. The playoffs begin Tuesday night with the AL Wildcard between the Orioles and Blue Jays (I'm picking the Jays), but before then, here are my picks for the regular season awards.

AL MVP: Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox (.318 AVG, 31 HR, 113 RBI, 26 SB)
Mike Trout had another unbelievable season, but can't give the award to a team that finished 14 games under .500. And Betts has been the catalyst at the top of the explosive Red Sox lineup which won the AL East.
NL MVP: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs (.292 AVG, 39 HR, 102 RBI) 
Easy pick here, Bryant has been the most complete offensive player on the best team in the major leagues. 
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers (16-9, 3.04 ERA, 254 K)
Close one between Verlander and Boston's Rick Porcello but I give Verlander his 2nd Cy Young award for leading the league in strikeouts and WHIP. 
NL Cy Young: Max Scherzer (20-7, 2.96 ERA, 284 K)
Clayton Kershaw's back injury lost him this award. Scherzer gets it based on his 20 wins and league leading 284 strikeouts.
AL Rookie of Year:  Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers (11-7, 3.06 ERA, 132 K)
Fulmer was a consistent force at the top of the Tigers rotation, cumulating 10 straight starts allowing 2 or less earned runs and a stretch of 15 of 21 straight of 6 or more innings.
NL Rookie of Year:  Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers (.308 AVG, 26 HR, 72 RBI) 
The 22-year old Seager might already be the face of the Dodgers in their lineup, leading them in average and slugging percentage.