We tried to tell you! We ran a simulation of the playoffs in early October, which predicted the Atlanta Braves to win the World Series over the Houston Astros. While the sim didn't bat 1.000, it got the most important thing right. Congrats, Atlanta. Relive the entire simulation here, and enjoy the comment section.
AL wild-card game
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankees | 6 | 14 | 0 |
| Red Sox | 1 | 10 | 0 |
The Yankees advance past their bitter rivals using a five-run outburst in the 10th inning. Gerrit Cole strikes out 10 over 7 1/3 innings, while Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner each drive in a pair.
NL wild-card game
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 6 | 12 | 1 |
| Dodgers | 5 | 13 | 0 |
There will be no repeat. The hottest team in baseball knocks off the 106-win Dodgers. Max Scherzer strikes out 12 batters over six innings, but the bullpen crumbles in the seventh, allowing four runs. Nolan Arenado homers twice.
ALDS: Yankees vs. Rays
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yankees | Rays | 7-6 TB |
| 2 | Yankees | Rays | 4-2 TB |
| 3 | Rays | Yankees | 7-4 TB |
A sweep! Tampa Bay dominates New York to advance to the ALCS for a second straight season. Brandon Lowe continues to terrorize the Yankees, homering twice. Giancarlo Stanton goes just 3-for-17 (.176) with no homers and five strikeouts.
ALDS: White Sox vs. Astros
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Sox | Astros | 7-6 HOU |
| 2 | White Sox | Astros | 4-2 HOU |
| 3 | Astros | White Sox | 5-0 CWS |
| 4 | Astros | White Sox | 2-0 CWS |
| 5 | White Sox | Astros | 3-0 HOU |
This is a weird one. Houston takes the first two games of the series but almost blows it after getting shut out in back-to-back contests in Chicago. Alex Bregman's two-RBI double in Game 5 propels Houston to a fifth consecutive ALCS appearance and a rematch of last year's clash with the Rays.
NLDS: Braves vs. Brewers
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braves | Brewers | 4-2 MIL |
| 2 | Braves | Brewers | 6-1 ATL |
| 3 | Brewers | Braves | 3-2 ATL |
| 4 | Brewers | Braves | 7-3 ATL |
Atlanta takes down Milwaukee in four games in what is the biggest surprise of the division series. The Braves hit just four homers, but their pitching staff limits the Brewers to only six runs in the final three contests.
NLDS: Cardinals vs. Giants
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinals | Giants | 4-1 SF |
| 2 | Cardinals | Giants | 11-4 STL |
| 3 | Giants | Cardinals | 9-2 SF |
| 4 | Giants | Cardinals | 4-2 SF |
The winningest team in the regular season continues its stellar play as the Giants make easy work of the Cardinals. Mike Yastrzemski and Evan Longoria combine for five home runs and 13 RBIs.
ALCS: Astros vs. Rays
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astros | Rays | 7-5 TB |
| 2 | Astros | Rays | 2-0 HOU |
| 3 | Rays | Astros | 2-0 HOU |
| 4 | Rays | Astros | 9-4 HOU |
| 5 | Rays | Astros | 8-6 HOU |
Everyone's favorite villains (outside of Houston) are returning to the World Series. After dropping Game 1, the Astros rattle off four straight wins to get some revenge on Tampa Bay following last year's ALCS loss. Jose Altuve takes home ALCS MVP after homering four times.
NLCS: Braves vs. Giants
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braves | Giants | 11-6 ATL |
| 2 | Braves | Giants | 8-6 ATL |
| 3 | Giants | Braves | 8-7 SF |
| 4 | Giants | Braves | 8-2 ATL |
| 5 | Giants | Braves | 4-3 ATL |
The Braves are off to the World Series for the first time since 1999. Despite losing Mike Soroka, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Marcell Ozuna at different points in the season, Atlanta manages to beat the 107-win Giants. Considering San Francisco only seems to win World Series in even-numbered years, we should have predicted this would happen. Austin Riley is your NLCS MVP with three homers and 10 RBIs.
World Series: Braves vs. Astros
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braves | Astros | 10-4 ATL |
| 2 | Braves | Astros | 6-3 ATL |
| 3 | Astros | Braves | 6-1 HOU |
| 4 | Astros | Braves | 5-2 HOU |
| 5 | Astros | Braves | 9-4 ATL |
| 6 | Braves | Astros | 4-1 HOU |
| 7 | Braves | Astros | 3-2 ATL |
The playoff team with the fewest wins during the regular season wins the championship. It's just the fourth World Series title for Atlanta in its long history and first since 1995. Midseason acquisition Adam Duvall takes home MVP honors, homering three times and driving in 12, including all three runs in Game 7. Meanwhile, the Astros lose for a second time in three World Series, with both defeats coming in Game 7.
