October is upon us, and if you are a baseball fan, you know exactly what that means. After a thrilling final week of the regular season, in which the standings in a cut-throat American League were determined, the wild card games are set to be played Tuesday and Wednesday to begin this year’s Major League Baseball Postseason. Here is a look at my predictions, from the wild card winners to the world champions: 

American League Wild Card: New York Yankees

Arch-rival divisional foes, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, will battle in a win or go home game to determine who will move on to the NLDS. While the Red Sox have cooled off late in the season, the Yankees have acquired momentum after the all-star break. I’ll take the Yankees with star pitcher Gerritt Cole leading the way in this one.

National League Wild Card: Los Angeles Dodgers

Out west, the Los Angeles Dodgers square off against the St. Louis Cardinals. Boasting the second best record in baseball, the Dodgers seem out of place playing in this one. The Cardinals, however, have heated up, with a streak of 17 consecutive wins ending just recently. The talent of the Dodgers, though, should be enough to stop the Cardinals in their tracks.

American League Division Series: Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays

Before they can go any farther, the Yankees must once again face a tough divisional foe, the American League leading Tampa Bay Rays. Having gotten the better of the Yankees almost all season, I have the Rays winning in five games. 

On the other side of the bracket, the Chicago White Sox face the Houston Astros. Both the Astros and the White Sox jumped to an early lead in their division this season and never looked back. With relatively easy schedules, both teams have passed “the eye test,” but from a talent standpoint, I believe the White Sox will have the edge in four games. 

National League Division Series: Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants

Enter the Dodgers. After a Wild Card win, they now face the MLB leading San Francisco Giants. Having won the World Series just last season, the Dodgers have proven that they are able to overcome great hurdles, but this one may just be too Giant. I have San Francisco winning in five games.  

In the other series, the scorching hot Atlanta Braves meet their match against a very solid Milwaukee Brewer team, with a pitching staff that is a force to be reckoned with. The Braves have proved, however, that even without star player Ronald Acuna Jr, they are a lineup to be feared, and I have them getting the best of Milwaukee in five games to reach the NLCS once again. 

American League Championship Series: Tampa Bay Rays

As talented as the White Sox are with their power-hitting offense and young ace pitchers, the Rays have looked like they simply cannot be stopped despite playing in the strongest division in the American League. I have the Rays in six games.

National League Championship Series: San Francisco Giants

After overpowering the Brewers, the Braves face the National League’s best. Here, every last advantage matters, and lacking their best player and suffering from a weaker than desired bullpen, I have the Braves coming up short against San Francisco in six games.  

World Series: Tampa Bay Rays

Finally, in the series for all the marbles, I have the Tampa Bay Rays winning their first World title ever. Being the runners up last season, the Rays are hungry. Both teams are known for their consistency in all facets of the game. However, the Rays’ experience in last year’s World Series gives them an edge that the Giants lack. Give me the Rays in seven games to win it all in a battle of some of the MLB’s best.