2012 MLB Playoffs - Wild Card Predictions

The inaugural "Wild Card" games will be played tomorrow in a winner-take-all format. 1 game will decide who gets to move on to the AL and NL Division Series' respectively. We will end the night in the American League where Texas faces elimination early in their quest to win a 3rd consecutive AL pennant. The Rangers host the surprising Baltimore Orioles. The O's are making their 1st postseason appearance in 15 years. The winner will get a date with the New York Yankees. The day gets started in the NL where the defending World Series champ, Saint Louis Cardinals, play in Atlanta against the Braves. The winner will face the Washington Nationals. Both of 2011's World Series participants could be out on the 1st night of the postseason. This is the type of drama Bud Selig envisioned when deciding to go to this format. Let's play ball! Here is a look at who I expect to advance to play this weekend.

NL Wild Card

      
St. Louis (88-74) at Atlanta (94-68)

Braves won season series 5-1

St. Louis Season Stats
BA - .271
RPG - 4.72
ERA - 3.71

Atlanta Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.32
ERA - 3.42

This should be a hell of a pitching match between Kyle Lohse and Kris Medlen. The plain and simple though is that Atlanta doesn't lose when Medlen is on the mound. Give me the Braves to advance, meaning their will be a new World Series champ in 2012.

Prediction - Atlanta over St. Louis

AL Wild Card

      
Baltimore (93-69) at Texas (93-69)

Rangers won season series 5-2

Baltimore Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.39
ERA - 3.90

Texas Season Stats
BA - .273
RPG - 4.98
ERA - 3.99

This game is must see. Baltimore shocked everyone in the baseball world by making the playoffs for the 1st time since 1997. Texas has lost the last 2 World Series and now must survive an elimination game right out of the gate to have a chance to make it back to the Fall Classic. Everyone loves the O's, but the Rangers will dispose of them quickly. There's too much experience in the Texas clubhouse for me to think they lose this game.

Prediction - Texas over Baltimore