:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66702948/450620434.jpg.0.jpg)
Today is Round 2 of the MLB Dream Bracket Presented by DraftKings. where 32 all-time Major League Baseball teams compete in a computer simulation to determine a winner. We’ve eliminated half the National League sides already, and today four more best-of-seven series begin to get down to the last four sides on the Senior Circuit.
The tournament uses Out Of The Park Baseball 21, a simulation engine powered by advanced statistics, ratings, and a complete database of players going back to 1871. Each matchup plays out a best-of-seven series between the best of the all-time rosters for both teams until we have a winner.
For today’s action you can enter here to win up to $500 via a free entry at DraftKings! You’ll need to correctly pick the four NL matchups as well as seven other questions more correctly than your opponents to take home the win.
Below are today’s matchups, and you can see the entire roster for all of today’s teams here. Here’s a few best bets choices for today’s games:
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Pirates got past the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 in the opening round, with Honus Wagner dominating via a 13-for-27 performance with six RBIs and six runs. The Reds needed all seven games to advance past the Nationals, with Joey Votto hitting .393 with two homers and eight RBIs, and Joe Morgan slashing .385/.467/.692 line with two dingers as well.
The difference here is in the pitching, as the Red Stockings of yore have Tom Seaver, Jim Moloney, Mario Soto, Jose Rijo, the Nasty Boys, Aroldis Chapman, and just too many arms across a long series. We’ll take the Reds to advance.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Cards overcame the Rockies 4-2 in their opening series, while the Phillies knocked off a team of under-25 current MLB stars in five games. The Phillies just have an edge here despite the lack of championship success comparatively between both teams the last 120 years.
The Fightins’ are so loaded they can’t even get Cy Young winners like Roy Halladay and MVP’s like Dick Allen on the field. Robin Roberts, Steve Carlton, Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander, Cole Hamels are the rotation, and MVP’s like Mike Schmidt, Ryan Howard, and Richie Ashburn are in the every day lineup. We’ll take the Phils over some of the superstar Cardinals such as Stan Musial and Bob Gibson.
Miami Marlins vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Those World Series winning Marlins teams of 1997 and 2003 paid off, as the ‘93 expansion team beat the Braves 4-1 in opening round play. J.T. Realmuto was on fire, hitting .500 with eight runs and five RBIs, and Jose Fernandez was 2-0 in winning the opening and closing game of the series. The Dodgers had Eric Gagne blow a save in Game 1, but went on to sweep the Padres from there behind Duke Snider’s .429 average with two homers and seven RBIs.
The Dodgers have an almost 100-year head start on the Fish, and it should help here. LA has Sandy Koufax and Clayton Kershaw for possibly the most devastating 1-2 punch in the field, and Roy Campanella and Mike Piazza behind the plate with Jackie Robinson and Snider in the field every day. It’s too much to overcome.
Will any of today’s series go to 7 games?
Absolutely! The matchups here are too close between these great all-time teams, and we’ve seen five of the first 20 series in this tournament need a seventh game. It’ll happen again today too.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.