MLB Playoffs 2017: Five bold playoff predictions

2. The Diamondbacks defeat the Dodgers in the NLDS in five games

This is probably the one single team the Dodgers don’t want to a match up. The D-backs matchup well with the Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood, and Rich Hill? JD Martinez says bring it on. The Diamondbacks have a clear advantage at first base, with perennial MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt.

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The bullpens are a push here…until the later innings when the Dodgers have Kenley Jansen, and Arizona has the arrow-shooting, former Cub, Fernando Rodney. The outfields are a stretch, as well. David Peralta, AJ Pollock, and JD Martinez vs Chris Taylor, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, and sometimes Cody Bellinger out there. The underlying point is that the Diamondbacks can score with the Dodgers, and may even be able to pitch with them, too. That should be a fun series…..that is, of course, if Arizona wins the National League Wild Card game.

Let’s just assume this series happens; it may be the most entertaining of all of the division series’. Zack Greinke, Patrick Corbin, Taijuan Walker, and Robbie Ray should make up their playoff rotation. Los Angeles has Clayton Kershaw, Yu Darvish, Alex Wood, and Rich Hill or Kenta Maeda should make up their postseason rotation.