MLB Division Series 2025 preview

 Now, we are down to 8.

The Division Series in both the National & American Leagues begin this weekend after 3 Wild Card series ended in the full 3 games on Thursday.

AL:

Yankees @ Toronto:

A late summer swoon by the Bombers enabled the Blue Jays to overtake NY and win the AL East. The Yankees have revenge on their minds after dispatching Boston, but they also have gotten a glimpse of the future in Thursday's win, as rookie Cam Schlittler, a Boston area native, pitched a season high 8 innings with 12 strikeouts.....

Schlittler may have saved Aaron Boone's job, at least for now. The Yankees are bent on returning to the World Series and ending a 16 year stretch without a title. Toronto, which hasn't won a championship in more than 30 years, may have other ideas. Getting five days off might not help the Jays after all.

Pick: Yankees in 5.

Detroit @ Seattle:

After getting lapped by Cleveland in the Central division, the Tigers reasserted themselves by eliminating the Guardians on Thursday. Seattle's Cal Raleigh had a season for the ages, winning the AL home run title, and landing an endorsement deal with T-Mobile, along with Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes and the Mets' Francisco Lindor. You've seen the commercials by now.

The question, though, is whether or not the Mariners have the pitching to match Detroit and Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who could repeat this year. I don't think so.

Pick: Detroit in 5.

NL:

Chicago @ Milwaukee:

The Cubs finally closed out a playoff series at home in beating San Diego. Now come the NL Central champion Brewers. Craig Counsell, in his 2nd year as Chicago manager, would like nothing better than to put the screws to his former club, who couldn't get out of the Wild Card round last year. Well, at least there's some progress in that the Brew Crew, which hasn't been to the Series since they were in the AL in 1982, got a bye this year. All this series does is set up the winner to be run over by the winners of the other series.......

There's not much else to be said other than....

Pick: Chicago in 4.

Los Angeles @ Philadelphia:

As long as Bryce Harper remains a Phillie, they're never going to win the title. Philadelphia fans are more concerned about Kyle Schwarber, a former Cub, leaving via free agency, than finally getting the petulent Harper over the hump. Harper, and agent Scott Boras Badenov, were cursed when Washington, Harper's former club, won the Series in 2019, Harper's 1st year in Philadelphia. The defending champs will ensure that curse holds.

Pick: Los Angeles in 5.

Of course, I could be wrong.