Southside Showdown 2021 World Series Predictions
The World Series is about to be underway tonight. The National League champion Atlanta Braves are going to face the American League champion Houston Astros. It was a long road to this point but it is going to be a very good matchup between two former National League rivals. These two teams last met in the postseason in 2005 when the Astros defeated the Braves in the NLDS before losing to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.
Here at Southside Showdown, we just went through a very fun season with our Chicago White Sox. The Astros defeated them this time around in the American League Division Series. It was a lot of fun covering them all season long and we hope to have them back stronger than ever in 2022.
However, now we are ready to make our predictions for the 2021 World Series. Each participant was asked to give their prediction of what will happen and who they think will be the World Series MVP. Let’s take a look at the results:
Vinnie Parise:
I believe that the Houston Astros are going to win the World Series in six games. They were busted for cheating and now are out to prove that isn’t the reason that they won the World Series in 2017 and had another appearance in 2019. They have embraced the villain role and rode it all the way to the pennant. Now, they are going to try and finish the job.
World Series MVP prediction: Kyle Tucker
Thomas Hernes:
The Houston Astros have too much postseason experience and talent for Atlanta to overcome. Dusty Baker will manage his first World Series champ as a reward for picking up the pieces after the cheating scandal in Houston. Houston takes it in 6 games.
World Series MVP prediction: Carlos Correa
Chip Egan:
The Houston Astros offense is in a groove right now and hasn’t let up since the ALDS. That, coupled with the solid defense they have been playing, should help them pick up their second title. Astros in 5 games.
World Series MVP prediction: Jose Altuve
Mitchell Kaminski:
Experience in the playoffs is key. The Astros have been here before. The Braves have not. The Braves are a great feel-good story but their magic will run out against Houston. Riding Eddie Rosario’s hot stretch may have worked against a banged-up Dodgers team but it is not a sustainable formula against a well-rounded Astros team who will ride home field advantage to victory. Astros in 6.
World Series MVP prediction: Kyle Tucker
Brandon Younan:
The last time the Atlanta Braves made it to the World Series, they were swept by the New York Yankees, and the last time these two teams met in the playoffs, it was the 2005 NLDS, where the Astros won the series over the Braves 3-1.
This time around, I believe the Braves get the job done and win the World Series in six games. The Braves have an incredible pitching staff and disciplined veteran hitters that I believe will help carry the Braves to their first World Series championship since 1995.
Jorge Soler missed games one through four of the NLCS due to COVID but I expect him to be big in the World Series. The DH will come into play at Minute Maid.
World Series MVP prediction: Jorge Soler
Jon Michael Walters:
Atlanta Braves over the Houston Astros in five. This decision isn’t based on sabermetrics but rather the thinking that the forces of good will prevail. In any case, a team from the south is guaranteed victory.
World Series MVP prediction: Freddie Freeman
Joe Bermudez:
Yordan Alverez will hit at least 5 home runs this series but it’ll be in vain as I got Braves in 6. I don’t think Houston has the starting pitching to make it through and the bullpen will be solid but will be gassed towards the end.
They’ll split the first 4 games but Atlanta takes games 5 and 6 to clinch. All three of their trade deadline outfielders will hit a home run at least once in this series. Dansby Swanson will have a clutch hit and Austin Riley comes through with a big hit or his own.
Ian Anderson will be the star pitcher of the series and AJ Mintor solidifies his name as an A-list reliever. If romance plays a little factor in this series, Freddie catches the last out, a grounder or pop fly off the bat of Altuve. Then the White Sox win in 4 in 2022.
World Series MVP prediction: Freddie Freeman
This has the makings of a very good World Series to end a very fun MLB season.
It is going to be interesting to see if the Atlanta Braves have what it takes to get past the Houston Astros to win a World Series championship. They are a very nice story as things looked bleak for them at one point this season. They rebuilt their entire outfield after their best player (and one of the best players in the league) Ronald Acuna Jr. went down.
Nobody seems to want to see the Houston Astros win. As mentioned before, they are Major League Baseball’s villain right now and they have embraced it. They have significantly more playoff experience than most teams in the league so Atlanta would need to overcome that in order to win. Hopefully, regardless of what happens, it is a good series because we want the sport of baseball to be the real winner in the end.