2) Chicago Cubs V. 7) Miami Marlins
Chicago is back in the playoffs after missing in 2019. New head Coach David Ross has done a fantastic job of getting his team back on track. Yu Darvish has bounced back and put together a Cy Young caliber season. He finished the season 8-3, with a 2.01 ERA, 93 strikeouts, and a 2.23 FIP. Behind him in the rotation is Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester. The rotation will need to carry the way because the Cubs offense has been quiet. However, the offensive core of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Wilson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo, and Kyle Schwarber has plenty of playoff experience and can turn it on at any given moment.
Miami is back in the playoffs baby! Watch out for the Marlins because every time they have made the playoffs, they have gone all the way (1997, 2003). In a three-game series, Miami has a legitimate chance of pulling off the upset thanks to Sixto Sanchez. Acquired in the J.T. Realmuto trade, in a small sample size, Sanchez has looked like the real deal. In seven starts this year, he went 3-2, with a 3.46 ERA, and 33 strikeouts. Something to keep an eye on is that Sanchez only allowed six runs over his first five starts, but allowed nine runs across his last two starts. He will be joined in the playoff rotation by Sandy Alcantara and if needed, Pablo Lopez. The three have combined for a 3.38 ERA.
Prediction: Upset Alert! The Marlins rotation keeps the Cubs in check. Marlins in 3.