ESPN Baseball Tonight Analysts Share Postseason Insights and Predictions

With the 2014 MLB Postseason underway, ESPN Baseball Tonight analysts Manny Acta, Mark Mulder, Rick Sutcliffe, Jessica Mendoza and Doug Glanville shared insights and predictions about key storylines, compelling matchups and players poised for breakout performances. ESPN.com also has comprehensive predictions from the ESPN Forecast panel and a deep roster of ESPN MLB Insiders including Buster Olney, Tim Kurkjian, Jayson Stark, Keith Law, Jerry Crasnick and Jim Bowden.

Baseball Tonight will continue throughout the postseason with nightly analysis and highlights on ESPN2, generally at midnight ET or at the conclusion of the final playoff game each night. Additionally, ESPN Radio will broadcast every game of the postseason.

I’m expecting to see close games between the Royals and the Angels due to Kansas City’s pitching and defense and the lack of dominant starters for Angels. I think the Royals can surprise a lot of people during this postseason. Solid starters, a great bullpen, air-tight defense and late-inning speed off the bench can spell trouble for opposing teams.

Among managers, Bruce Bochy will have the most impact during the postseason. He will have to make many moves with a limited lineup and a patchwork rotation. He’s been through this before. They are a veteran team with a lot of playoff experience.

I like Washington’s pitching staff the most as this postseason begins. I also think that Anthony Rendon is a star.

Throughout the postseason, I expect Mike Trout to leave no doubt that he’s the best player in the league and has been for three years. We could also see breakout performances from Ian Desmond, Alex Gordon and Howie Kendrick.

I expect trouble for Detroit if their starters don’t go deep into the games. That bullpen will continue to struggle against the Orioles’ powerful offense.

The Nationals are the most complete team. They are finally healthy and have the sour taste of two years ago that they want to get past. The top four in the rotation are absolutely fantastic. On paper, the Angels are the team in all of Major League Baseball to beat. But October erases all of that. The Orioles have found a way all year. I like the matchup with the Tigers because although they have the inferior rotation, they can shorten the starting pitcher to five innings with Andrew Miller, Darren O’Day, Tommy Hunter and Zach Britton. Buck Showalter is masterful with his bullpen and willing to be aggressive.

This postseason will be remembered as the playoffs that brought back ‘80s baseball. I expect it will be aggressive on the bases with teams bunting and stealing bases. The big hit can truly come from anyone.

I expect to see the Washington Nationals meet the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. Both teams have the deepest rotations with well-balanced offenses.

As much as I hate to say it because I am a hitter at heart, this has been the year of the pitchers. And specifically the next great wave of young starting pitchers:  Clayton Kershaw, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Shoemaker, Wei-Yin Chen, Yordano Ventura and Lance Lynn.

Rick Sutcliffe on key storylines throughout the postseason
There are so many interesting things to look out for this postseason – the Royals athleticism, Nelson Cruz’s home runs, Matt Kemp’s health, Bruce Bochy having to be perfect again, Anthony Rendon’s emergence and more.

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