"We're one week into the 2025 MLB playoffs, with two games having now been played in all four division series matchups. In the small-sample-size world of October baseball, it might seem like that means we've seen enough to know a lot. But the reality for a sport that combines 162-game seasons with the chaos of short playoff series is: Things can change in a hurry this time of year."
"As we do early in every MLB regular season, we asked our MLB experts to go all-in on one thing they've noticed by giving us their boldest prediction for the rest of the postseason based on what they've seen so far. Some of our predictions are quite bold, whereas others took a milder approach. But all of them have a chance of becoming smokin' hot by the time the World Series trophy is raised this month -- or ending up freezing cold."
"The division series was introduced 30 years ago, and only once, in 2012, did all four of them go the distance. It'll happen again this year -- even though three of the four have already begun with a 2-0 lead. The gap among the eight remaining playoff contenders feels smaller this year than it has in quite a while, especially with arguably the two best, the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, squaring off so early."
Early playoff results have set varied series narratives but offer limited certainty because short series amplify volatility. Small sample sizes in October allow rapid momentum shifts and major reversals even against teams with strong regular-season credentials. The competitive gap among remaining clubs appears compressed, increasing the likelihood of extended series and upsets. Matchups such as Philadelphia versus Los Angeles can swing quickly despite home losses, while teams like New York and Chicago retain home-field comeback potential. Strategic adjustments and single-play decisions can disproportionately influence outcomes over five-game series.
Read at ESPN.com
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