MLB Wild-Card Predictions

The MLB Postseason is amongst us but this year is different. For the first time, Major League Baseball will have a one game, winner-takes-all wild-card game. The back-to-back American League Champion Texas Rangers will host a young Baltimore Orioles squad that has been fun to watch all year. In the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals will travel to Atlanta to try and upset the Braves.

Casey Hall:

Texas Rangers over Baltimore Orioles

I’m taking Texas over Baltimore. Both of the wild card games are going to rely heavily on hitting. I don’t believe the pitching in Baltimore will be able to control the Ranger’s bats. 

St. Louis Cardinals over Atlanta Braves

I’m taking the Cardinals to beat the Braves in this wild-card matchup. I don’t believe the Braves can keep up with the Cardinals bats. After ranking in the top five in runs, batting average, and on base percentage in the regular season. I don’t see them slowing down now.



Katie Martineau:

Baltimore Orioles over Texas Rangers

You have to go with the hot hand, and although they’re considered a long shot, I’m picking the Baltimore Orioles to win. Though Texas has been dominate at home and won the season series, you can’t deny what Baltimore has done this season.


Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals

Pitching wins games and with Kris Medlen pitching, the Braves will pull out the victory. Medlen has been dominant in the second half and the Braves have a stronger bullpen, which gives them an edge over St. Louis.



Mike McMahon:

Texas Rangers over Baltimore Orioles

The O’s have had an incredible run this year but the Rangers should be a determined group after the bitter taste of losing the AL West in Oakland. 

Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals were a nice surprise this year, but the Braves simply do not lose when Kris Medlen is on the mound. It would be shocking to see the Braves go down.



Daveson Perez:

Texas Rangers over Baltimore Orioles

Aside from the fact that the Texas Rangers got swept by the surging Oakland A’s, they still are one of the premier offenses in the league. If this were a five or seven game series than I’d give Baltimore a shot, but under these circumstances I think Texas is more suited for this type of occasion.

Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals

Kris Medlen will be pitching this game for Atlanta and I think that will be enough to stymie the Cardinals bats that have been average at best this year. I also believe Atlanta is determined after last year’s collapse which will serve as some extra motivation.



Ashley Proctor:

Baltimore Orioles over Texas Rangers

Baltimore is the underdog. They spent the past four years at the bottom of the AL East. Now, they have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. I believe their persistence alone will get them to the Divisional Series.


Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals

The Braves have an awesome bullpen, which will give them the advantage over St. Louis. The Braves also have a good offense; they're top five in on-base percentage, batting average, and runs scored.



Eric Russo:

Baltimore Orioles over Texas Rangers

I jumped on the O's bandwagon a few weeks ago and I'm not ready to jump off. The Rangers blew their huge division lead to the A's on the final day of the season and look to be reeling.


Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals

The Braves bounced back from their epic collapse of 2011 like a great team should (looking at you Red Sox) and they will take down the defending World Series champs.

Tyler Sullivan:

Baltimore Orioles over Texas Rangers

After losing the division to Oakland, I expect Texas to come out deflated and lose at the hands of the Orioles. Expect Baltimore, who has scrapped its way to the wild-card game, to keep fighting and be the “2011 St. Louis Cardinals” of this postseason.

Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals

Kris Medlen has been fantastic for the Braves this season finishing with 1.57 ERA. The entire Atlanta team will be playing for teammate Chipper Jones and being at home, I do not see how they can lose.

Ryan Tartaglia:

Texas Rangers over Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore’s story is great. It’s really great. But the Orioles are about to have a reality check. Yes, Texas backed into this wild card game after losing the AL West title to the Oakland Athletics on the final day of the regular season. Michael Young said it best, "Momentum shifts all the time. We can get it back in no time." Backed by the home crowd in Arlington, Texas’ high powered offense will come alive and blow out the Orioles.

Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals

Before the season started, I picked the Braves to get to the World Series. Pitching wins championships and nobody has been more lights out on the mound than Kris Medlen this year. In 138 innings, Medlen finished the season 10-1 with a 1.57 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. Plus in his final season, I find it hard not to root for Chipper Jones.