Major League Baseball

MLB postseason 2014: First-round predictions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:12 p.m. ET

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The 2014 MLB postseason field is set. The first round kicks off Tuesday with the American League Wild Card game, so our panel of MLB experts takes a look at each opening series and gives a prediction for how they will turn out.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Wild Card

The Kansas City Royals have reached the postseason for the first time since 1985.

A's at Royals

Danny Farris: Royals over A's

Adrian Garro: A's over Royals

Zach Benau: Royals over A's

Lindsey Foltin: Royals over A's

Jason Lewis: A's over Royals

Division Series

Wild Card winner at Angels

How far will the dynamic duo of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols carry the Angels in the postseason?

The Angels have been one of the hottest teams in baseball for the bulk of the second half, however there are some questions about the depth of their pitching staff. The Angels may not be perfect, but any team with Mike Trout and Albert Pujols is hard to bet against.

Farris: Angels in 4

Garro: Angels in 4

Benau: Angels in 4

Foltin: Angels in 5

Lewis: Angels in 5

Tigers at Orioles

The Orioles have had a tremendous season, but this is the moment the Tigers have been planning for since July 31. When the Tigers traded for David Price, they did so with October baseball in mind. The Orioles have been a great story all year long, but the Tigers have the postseason experience and pitching necessary to win this time of year.

Farris: Orioles in 4

Garro: Tigers in 5

Benau: Tigers in 5

Foltin: Tigers in 5

Lewis: Orioles in 5

Wild Card

Giants at Pirates

The Pirates have been riding a wave of momentum lately, winning 17 of their final 23 games. The Giants clearly have their work cut out for them, but these guys are no strangers to the postseason. A roster filled with playoff experience -- and World Series rings -- gives San Francisco the upper hand.

Pablo Sandoval, Tim Lincecum and Buster Posey are all 2x World Series champs with the Giants (2010, 2012).

Farris: Giants over Pirates

Garro: Pirates over Giants

Benau: Pirates over Giants

Foltin: Giants over Pirates

Lewis: Giants over Pirates

Division Series

Wild Card winner at Nationals

In his first season at the helm, Matt Williams has led the Nationals to a division title. Not bad for a first year manager. Washington may not have the most postseason experience of any team in the playoffs, but they've been consistent all season long and it's hard to see them faltering now.

Farris: Nationals in 4

Garro: Nationals in 5

Benau: Nationals in 4

Foltin: Giants in 5

Lewis: Nationals in 5

Cardinals at Dodgers

No matter what happens in the regular season, you can almost always count on seeing the Cardinals in October. St. Louis had some struggles early in the season, but this is where they expected to be when the season began. That being said, the Dodgers are red hot right now and have the best pitcher in the game at their disposal. Clayton Kershaw struggled against the Cardinals in last season's playoffs and using that as motivation, expect him to turn in a dominant outing.

Already a virtual lock for the N.L. Cy Young award, Clayton Kershaw could also become just the second pitcher to win an M.V.P. award in the last two decades.

Farris: Dodgers in 5

Garro: Dodgers in 4

Benau: Dodgers in 5

Foltin: Dodgers in 5

Lewis: Dodgers in 5

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