MMO Roundtable: NLCS and ALCS Predictions

Game 1 of the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers National League Championship Series (NLCS) is here. The winner of the seven game series will face off against the winner of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) which features the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees. Game 1 of that series is set to begin on Monday.

With the matchups finalized, and each series about to begin, who does our staff here at Metsmerized think will faceoff in the World Series?

Mojo H.

NLCS: Dodgers in 7, Teoscar Hernández MVP

I’m gonna predict that we get an all-time classic series between the last two National League teams standing. I think the teams have different strengths and weaknesses; the Dodgers are more top-heavy and have a great bullpen, but the Mets have deeper/more reliable starting pitching. I think it’s a back and-forth punching match that L.A. ultimately squeezes out, getting a timely power surge from Hernández, who’s been great for them all year.

ALCS: Yankees in 5, Aaron Judge MVP

I’m gonna stay simple with this one. I think the better team wins, and the best hitter in baseball carries them.

James V.

NLCS – Dodgers in 6, Will Smith MVP

The Dodgers offense is a lot tougher than the Phillies offense. Although the Mets’ offense should be able to hit around the Dodgers’ starting pitching, the Dodgers’ bullpen is elite. Yes, the Mets were able to beat up an, on paper, strong Phillies bullpen. However, I just do not see that happening two series in a row.

For me, it comes down to not believing the Mets’ bats will be able to keep up with the Dodgers’ offense. Then, you factor in how the bullpen advantage is squarely with the Dodgers.

ALCS – Yankees in 5, Juan Soto MVP

Yankees are the better team. Their march through one of the easiest paths to the World Series in recent memory continues as Cleveland just doesn’t have the fire power, outside the league-best bullpen, to complete the upset.

Dave M.

NLCS – Mets in 6, Mark Vientos MVP

The clutch hits keep coming. We saw them in Atlanta, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and at Citi Field, where the Mets are 13-2 in September/October.

ALCS – Yankees in 7, Jazz Chisholm MVP

The Yankees’ biggest regular season weakness was a strength in the American League Division Series. Specifically, in the bullpen, Luke Weaver (three saves) and Clay Holmes combined for 9 1/3 scoreless innings. All aboard for the Subway Series!

Matt M.

NLCS – Mets in 7

The Mets’ pitching staff rides on Grimace and the power of friendship. The Dodgers’ rotation is held together with a tiny sliver of slight, white tape that is one injury from having Enrique Hernández starting. Enough said. Advantage: Mets.

ALCS – Cleveland in 7

If Judge and Soto can’t team up for another postseason triumph, the Guardians’ pitching should be able to navigate the rest of the Yankees lineup without trouble.

Patrick G.

NLCS – Mets in 5, Francisco Lindor MVP

The Mets are 26-12 in their last 38 games. They’ve basically been the best team in baseball since June. Their pitching is in a far better spot than the Dodgers, and they say that’s what wins you championships.

ALCS – Yankees in 6

They’re just the better team with bigger stars. It’ll be Subway Series 2.0.

Allison W.

NLCS – Dodgers in 7, Mookie Betts MVP

Betts finally snaps his postseason woes of the last couple of years and has a monster series against the Mets. And so does Ohtani, Freeman and every other big name star the Dodgers have.

While the Mets might have the upper hand when it comes to pitching (the Dodgers have lost arms left and right this year), it’s hard to put their bats past the Mets. They powered past an equally powerful San Diego lineup and pitching rotation, and can do the same with New York. It won’t be easy, as it’ll take all seven games, but the Dodgers are riding their own hot streak right now too.

ALCS – Guardians in 5, Steven Kwan MVP

If Judge and Soto can’t keep things going, the Yankees can’t get things going. It’s the story of the Yankees in 2024. That said, the Guardians will strike when the Yanks get cold, and All-Star Kwan will send them to the World Series for the first time since 2016.

Matt L. 

NLCS – Mets in 6, Mark Vientos MVP

The Dodgers’ star power outweighs the Mets, but you can’t count out the edge the Mets’ starting pitching presents. Pitching paired with late-inning magic has shown to be enough to compete with the best of the best. Expect Vientos, Lindor and Alonso to continue to produce enough offense to propel this team to the World Series.

ALCS – Guardians in 7, Josh Naylor MVP

Expect Cleveland’s bullpen and defense to play a large role in their way to the World Series, just as they’ve done all season leading up to date. The Yankees have two of the top five hitters across baseball, but is it enough to bring them to the promised land?

Jack R.

NLCS – Dodgers in 7, Freddie Freeman MVP

Despite everything this year, I have a tough time believing the Mets win this series. While many will expect that Ohtani or Betts could be what does the Mets in, there’s one man that Mets seem to be forgetting about: Freddie Freeman.

For much of the 2010s, he tormented the Mets and will get another chance to this upcoming week. Ultimately, the Mets’ lack of legitimate left handed pitching options will do them in. Freeman ends the magic, and is once again the ultimate villain in Mets nation.

ALCS – Yankees in 5

The Yankees are good. Very good. They have pitching, relief help, star power in the lineup, offensive depth, and a wealth of playoff experience. They match up well with Cleveland, and should be able to end this quickly. Look for Judge and Soto to put up better numbers than they did last series, which will be the main reason this series ends quickly.

Mathias AK.

NLCS – Mets in 6, Brandon Nimmo MVP

The last time the Mets and Dodgers faced each other, the Mets had hit rock bottom. Now, they’ve proven they can hang with anyone. The Dodgers’ offense is a juggernaut, and their bullpen was fantastic against San Diego, but their rotation is very suspect. At some point, the L.A. bullpen is going to crack, and the Mets have terrorized opposing relievers this postseason. Judging by how emotional Brandon Nimmo was after the team clinched the NLDS, I think he’s poised to have a monster series.

ALCS – Yankees in 6, Giancarlo Stanton MVP

The Yankees easily have the upper hand when it comes to starting pitching, and now that Giancarlo Stanton is hot, their offense is going to be tough to beat. Cleveland’s bullpen and pesky offense can help snag a game or two, but it’s tough to envision them beating the Yankees.

Chris B. 

NLCS – Mets in 6, Pete Alonso MVP

The Mets have proven themselves over the last 90 games and in the playoffs;  they’re legit. The Dodgers will be challenging, especially the lineup spearheaded by Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman. But their starters are weak, and their bullpen took a massive hit with Alex Vesia going down.

Pete Alonso will lead the Mets and have a strong series, as the first baseman has a .312 batting average and seven homers in 18 games at Dodger Stadium.

ALCS – Yankees in 5, Giancarlo Stanton MVP

Have the Yankees ever had an easier path to the World Series? No disrespect to the American League Central, but two teams barely squeaked in and the Guardians won 92 games while getting 13 cracks at the worst team of all time. The Guardians strength is their bullpen, but how long can that last? Numerous arms have 75-plus regular season innings and Emmanuel Clase already broke down once in ALDS.

The Yankees eventually will get something out of Aaron Judge, but Giancarlo Stanton will power the offense as he’s been one of the best postseason hitter in the last six seasons.

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