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The MLB Dream Bracket Presented by DraftKings kicks off today, and 32 all-time Major League Baseball teams will square off in a computer simulation to determine the franchise with the best history of players.
The tournament will be run using 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 will be a best-of-seven series between these all-star teams until we get down to two final clubs to determine a winner.
You can enter here to win up to $2000 via a free entry at DraftKings if you make the best guesses as to what will happen in the tournament!
Here’s the entire roster for all of today’s teams here, and we take a look at some of the best bets on the board for today.
Who will win the tournament?
Boston Red Sox
Chicago Cubs
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Dodgers
New York Yankees
Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals
Washington Nationals
Any Other Team
Of the teams listed we’d go with the Red Sox, and their rotation of Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Cy Young and Luis Tiant is absolutely ridiculous. Plus the greatest hitter that ever lived in Ted Williams, Pudge Fisk, Jimmie Foxx, Nomar Garciaparra... even Mookie Betts because he hasn’t even played a game for the Dodgers yet.
But we’re going off the board here and picking the Negro League All-Star team to win it. Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Buck Leonard and the greatest of greats from an entire era instead of just one team, plus we’ll get the other 23 teams not listed too. Too much value here to pass on.
Which team will advance further?
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Both eliminated same round
The Yanks start Whitey Ford and Ron Guidry on the hill, while having the original Murderers Row at the plate. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio — they had to put Mickey Mantle in left field just to get him in the lineup! And their bullpen is anchored by the best high-leverage closer ever in Mariano Rivera.
But they’re called the Bronx Bombers, not the Bronx Arms. The everyday lineup of the Sox is a smidge behind, but their pitching is far enough ahead. We’ll take the Sox in the ALCS.
Will any player hit a grand slam?
Yes
No
In 2018, there were 141 grand slams hit in 2,430 MLB games, or one about every 17 contests. Let’s say this tournament has an average of five games played during the 31 series to be played: that means we’re playing 155 games. Someone is going yard with the bases loaded no question. Easy yes here.
Will any player throw a no-hitter?
Yes
No
Even in the three-true-outcomes baseball of the modern era, no-hitters are still incredibly rare. Since 2011 there have been 33 no-no’s across 21,870 games, or one every 663 outings. If we’re only playing 155 here, and some of the best hitters in the world will be at the plate, we’re going no and will be sweating some of the best aces in baseball if they reach the seventh inning with history intact.
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