Which teams will be facing off in the 2020 ALCS & NLCS ? ⚾️
John Sakoda, M.S.
![John Sakoda, M.S.]()
John Sakoda, M.S.
Manager, Partnership Development at the Santa Cruz Warriors & USF Sport Management M.S. Graduate
- In this piece I wanted to talk about how depth charts, injuries, and illness will affect this year's 60 game season. A lot goes into preparation for a 160 plus game season but this year winning will come down to who can stay healthy and get on track early. Over a long season a small injury for a notable player will have him missing a few games, but in this short sprint I bet we will see players play through injuries. This is where a team with a strong depth chart who can mix and match position players as well as mixing up the pitching staff will bode well for them.
- With that being said we want to find the teams with the most depth and deep pitching staff to stay hot through 60 games. You know this team is always a surprise to many, but everyone knows the Oakland A’s have the ability to get hot and contend with anyone. I like the A’s because they have a solid pitching staff from the starters to the closer and with Piscotty, Chapman, and Olson I believe they will hit above .285 and hit 13 plus home runs each leading them to the ALCS.
- How could I not go with the New York Yankees to meet in the ALCS. The Yankees are getting most of their injured starters back and ready to go for the short season. I do want to at least mention the Twins, if they can get good enough pitching they will definitely be in the race. But just go check out the Yanks lineup and watch batting practice, one through nine will go yard on any pitcher. Simply put the Yanks will just hit better, I believe they have enough players healthy that even if one has a short slump the others can carry.
- My beloved Giants are once again not going to be in contention, but that’s okay we won already. I do like the Milwaukee Brewers to stay hot the whole year and finish on top of the Cubs and Reds in a tough NL Central race. With that type of competition and pressure every game throughout the season the the Brew Crew will be battle tested for a trip to the NLCS. Behind of course not only Yelich, but Lorenzo Cain will step up, and Josh Hader will anchor down games in the bullpen.
- Meeting the Brewers in the NLCS will be, I hate to say it but the Los Angeles Dodgers will be there again. Dave Roberts should get them mentally prepared after losing to the Nats in the playoffs last year when they were so close. I do like the Reds and Padres to surprise some folks, but in the end the Dodgers all around production is just too lethal. Even though they won’t have Price which hurts the starting rotation a lot, I believe in this shortened season LA pitchers will be able to withstand quicker turnarounds and produce better results.
- AL Championship Series: OAKLAND ATHLETICS vs. NEW YORK YANKEES
- NL Championship Series: MILWAUKEE BREWERS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS