Updated Post-Deadline 2018 MLB Postseason Predictions

The trade deadline has come and gone. Which teams possibly put themselves into a 2018 MLB Postseason wonderland? Check out MLB betting predictions for each division in both the AL and NL!

Updated Post-Deadline 2018 MLB Postseason Predictions

After this weekend’s sweep, there’s only one choice for No. 1 in our MLB Power Rankings. pic.twitter.com/wCmAsCh6YR

— ESPN (@espn) August 6, 2018

American League

AL East: Boston will win the division, but…

The New York Yankees will make it awfully difficult on Boston. Also, the Yankees could upset Boston, Houston, Cleveland, everyone, and win the American League this season. Why? The Yankees added two starting pitchers, J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn. Happ has already proven to be an effective starter. In his first start in the pinstripes, he threw 6 innings and allowed 1 earned run from 3 hits. Granted, he got to pitch against the Kansas City Royals, but who cares? The man was Toronto’s best starting pitcher and now he’s a Yankee. Lance Lynn only pitched 4.1 innings in his first start as a New York Yankee. In his second start, he threw 7 innings, allowed 2 hits and no runs, and struck out 9. Lynn and Happ could help NYY win the World Series this year.

AL Central: Cleveland easily takes the AL Central

Right now, the Tribe is 10 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. Cleveland should have no trouble winning the division. Let’s chalk it up right now to a Cleveland runaway. How does winning the division by 15 games sound?

AL West: It’s all about the Houston Astros now

Seattle was in contention before the All-Star Break. Now, Houston is around 7 games ahead of the Mariners. Oakland could beat the Mariners for a wildcard spot. Neither the A’s nor Seattle will make moves in the post-season, should either make it. Houston can repeat as World Series Champions.

National League

NL East: The Atlanta Braves will win the division

Atlanta is really going for it. The hard luck Braves are suddenly a viable World Series contender after trading for Kevin Gausman and Adam Duvall. Duvall provides power. Gausman is a good pitcher who languished in Baltimore. With Gausman, Atlanta now has a starting rotation of Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, Gausman, and Anibel Sanchez. Sanchez’s ERA this year is 3.00. Not bad for the fourth starter in the rotation. Is Atlanta for real? Yep. They’ll win the NL East for sure, and could possibly upset the Dodgers and Cubs and win the National League Pennant.

NL Central: Cubbies should win it in the end

The Milwaukee Brewers added some great pieces, but failed to add the pitching that could lead them to a win over the Chicago Cubs. The Cubbies grabbed one of the best starters in the American League, Cole Hamels. It’s been a down season for Hamels. That’s because he was on a bad team, the Texas Rangers. He’s now on a good team. Hamels has already thrown 11 innings in 2 games as a Cub. He’s allowed 10 hits. He’s only allowed 2 earned runs while he’s struck out 11. Chicago won both games. Cubs’ ace Jon Lester has heated up big time since the All-Star Break. Chicago now has two aces, Lester and Hamels, to go along with a couple of great B starters in Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana. Another World Series trip could be in the cards for the surging Chicago Cubs.

NL West: Dodgers got Machado, but Arizona can still win the NL West

The biggest prize in free agency was Baltimore Orioles player Manny Machado. Machado is an L.A. Dodger. That helped the Dodgers at the plate, no doubt. But, it might not have been enough for the Dodgers to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL West Division. Arizona, who remains a half a game ahead of the Dodgers as of August 7, has a great starting rotation led by ace Zack Greinke. What’s awesome about the rotation is that Greinke has a 2.96 ERA but Pat Corbin has struck out 174 batters. Both are fantastic. Not only that, but the D’Backs now average 4.5 runs a game, that’s 14^th in MLB. Arizona should pull away from the Dodgers and win the NL West Division.