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packerzrule
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain
Vote and discuss
Although I think the Astros will beat them and everyone else on their way to another title, I still wouldn't completely count out the Indians. That team is gonna be a tough out for anyone.Braves.
Because Atlanta.
In reality, it likely doesn't matter as none of these teams will compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, or Astros.
Dodgers/Cubs Its what TV wants
I think there is some truth to this. Cubs-Brewers-Cards were all tough.When you play in a division where 4 of the 5 teams finish with records above .500 and you have to play those teams close to 20 times a year each meaning you are playing at least 60 games against teams with above .500 records just in your division not counting the other division leaders makes it harder to reach over 100 wins.
I agree with all of this which is why I voted 'Dodgers' because on paper they are the best team but my gut tells me that the Dodgers are going to enter some series as the favorite and their relief pitchers are going to let them down.I think the Dodgers are the best team in the NL. They have a lineup loaded with good hitters (10 of their 12 players with 200+ PA have an OPS+ of 110 or higher). Muncy has quietly been one of the best hitters in the league (.261/.390/.575 with 34 home runs in 481 PA) and Turner's been destroying baseballs after missing a good chunk of the season (.313/.408/.521, 4.6 WAR despite playing only 103 games). That rotation is still very good with 7 starting pitchers having an ERA+ of 100+ over 15+ starts.
Brewers offense has looked better of late and they do have a good pen, but that rotation is still very suspect. Jhoulys Chacin is their ace (too bad they've been without Nelson). Hamels was a good pickup for the Cubs and a rotation of Lester/Hendricks/Hamels is pretty damn good, though Quintana's been a pretty disappointing pitcher the last 2 years. Cubs lineup has been somewhat disappointing with the outfield outside of Schwarber sucking and down/injury years from Rizzo/Bryant/Contreras. Braves have a young exciting lineup and have gotten very good years out of Foltynewicz and Anibal Sanchez (!). Rockies have gotten some awesome years out of Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, German Marquez and Kyle Freeland (2.85 ERA as a Rockie!), but their lineup outside of the first two has been largely underwhelming especially for a Coors Field team. Rockies had an awesome September (19-9, +60 run differential) but were largely underwhelming prior to that.
I agree with all of this which is why I voted 'Dodgers' because on paper they are the best team but my gut tells me that the Dodgers are going to enter some series as the favorite and their relief pitchers are going to let them down.