Nolan Writin predictions for the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles ALDS matchup

West Jones

The oddsmakers have this series between the Rangers and the Orioles as a virtual dead heat. While I would like to take that approach as well and call it a tossup, a prediction piece without a prediction does not work very well. The Rangers looked nearly unbeatable in the Tampa Bay series, and I do not see this one as a sweep, but I do see it as another Rangers series win.

After dropping the first game of the series, the Rangers will bounce back to get the much-needed split in Baltimore with a win on Sunday. After finally returning home, after being on the road since the night of Sunday, September 24th, the boys will be fired up to play in front of the raucous fans at Globe Life Field on Tuesday. Nathan Eovaldi will again take care of business, notching the victory and setting up a potential series clincher for Game 4.

Heaney will again throw an abbreviated start on short rest, but it will be Martin Perez who shines out of the bullpen, by pitching a gem in long relief. The Rangers offense will continue to barrel up the ball and the Rangers will take the series in four, three games to one. Adolis Garcia will be the MVP of the series as he mashes multiple home runs and continues to drive in a silly number of runs. 

Prediction: Texas Rangers in 4

Michael Sanders

I think I was the only one who had Texas in a sweep in the last round. So, how do I follow that up in this round. I pick sweep again. When Texas gets rolling it is hard to stop them. They had a six-game win streak out of the All-Star break, an eight-game win streak right after the trade deadline, then a five game win streak in September that concluded with the sweep of the Mariners in Arlington. This team enters this series on a two-game winning streak. I don't see it as outrageous that they could win another three in a row.

The key to this happening is getting the win in game 1. If they can do that with Andrew Heaney on the mound and then have a rested Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi pitching back-to-back they can finish this is off in three. That would allow them to be able to set their rotation for the championship series and get that rest that they will be needing.

I think the most important player in this series will not be a pitcher but a hitter. It will be Josh Jung. He got back on track in game two against Tampa with two doubles and a triple. If he can drive the ball into those expansive gaps at Orioles Park then he will have a great series and drive in several runs. If he is still hitting eighth with Evan Carter behind him that would make the lineup even more lethal than it already was. All of that to say Texas Rangers win in 3 as Baltimore is still a year away.

Prediction: Texas Rangers in 3

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