National League Division Series Predictions: Our experts make their picks

The Wild Card round has ended and the stage is set for the National League Division Series, featuring not one, but two storied rivalries: Mets-Phillies and Dodgers-Padres. If the regular season matchups are any indication, the battle between the Phillies and Mets could be a slugfest. The two teams almost split in the regular season's direct duel, although the Phillies have a slight lead at 7:6. The Padres finished five games behind the Dodgers in the NL West standings, but have the lead over the No. 1 seed at 8-5 in the regular season.

As everyone knows, the offseason is a whole different animal. Anything can happen. Here our experts have tried their best to predict an outcome.

Note: Playoff seed in parentheses.

New York Mets (6) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2)

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Stephen J. Nesbitt (Philadelphia): The argument for the Mets is based entirely on ~vibes~, which actually makes it incredibly difficult not to pick them. I want to write about the magic of the Mets. Bad. I have seen miracles. But the Phillies are damn good. They didn't play much ball in the second half, but are still the strongest team in the tournament. This core has been here before. They're used to being in the spotlight on these chilly October nights. And they have some absolute dogs on the pitching staff, from Zack Wheeler to Orion Kerkering, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez in the Philly pen.

Andy McCullough (Philadelphia): It's hard to beat the Mets, but someone has to do it.

Andrew Baggarly (New York): I picked the Phillies to win the World Series. So if I'm all about being consistent and intellectually honest, of course I have to pick her to win this round. I also can’t get this catchy “OMG” song out of my head.

Zack Meisel (Philadelphia): It's the Phillies' moment. They will leave the Mets grimacing. (Get it? Sorry.)

Sahadev Sharma (Philadelphia): The Mets' magic ends, the Phils are stronger in all areas.

Jen McCaffrey (Philadelphia): It's hard to bet against the Mets right now, but the Phillies are deep on all fronts. This series seems destined for a Game 5.

Patrick Mooney (Philadelphia): This feels like a bonus round for the Mets.

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Sam Blum (New York): Two years ago it was the Phillies. Last year it was the Diamondbacks. This postseason format seems to encourage a Cinderella run. The Mets look like that team this year.

Eno Sarris (Philadelphia): The Phillies should I'll be better in every phase of the game, but that Mets charisma is pretty darn strong.

Katie Woo (New York): Almost every stat available leads me to pick Philadelphia. Their rotation is better than New York's, as is their bullpen. Citizens Bank Park is one of the most intimidating venues in sports. And yet the Mets continue to win in ways that defy logic and reason. Why stop now?

Keith Law (Philadelphia): No disrespect to Grimace, but the Phillies are the stronger team in almost every way and bring a much better starting lineup than the Brewers.

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Kaitlyn McGrath (Philadelphia): I picked the Phillies to win the World Series, so I have to ride or die with them. The Mets have momentum, but the Phillies are the stronger team and I think their release will prove to be an advantage over a Mets team that has been playing a lot of baseball lately.

C Trent Rosecrans (Philadelphia): It almost feels like Zack Wheeler gave the Phillies a one-game lead early in the series, and that's always hard to overcome.

Melissa Lockard (Philadelphia): The Mets have a magical feel, but the Phillies were built for the postseason. The third time should be the charm for this core.

Noah Furtado (New York): Mets Magic, continued.

The Dodgers may be No. 1, but they're not one of our experts' favorites. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

San Diego Padres (4) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (1)

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Stephen J. Nesbitt (San Diego): The Dodgers' rotation is suspect. There I said it! Deeply suspicious! I happen to think it's important to start pitching in October, and I think that category is still undeniably leaning toward San Diego even with Joe Musgrove injured. Listen, this is going to be a super fun series. Both lineups are strong. The bullpens can block leads. (And they'll be required to do some heavy lifting.) But the Padres have played well against the Dodgers this season, going 8-5 head-to-head, and I think they continue to be hot in this series.

Andy McCullough (Los Angeles): The Padres may have the more complete team, but the Dodgers have star power. Specifically: Shohei Ohtani.

Andrew Baggarly (San Diego): Padres in 4. (For entertainment purposes only and intended for users aged 18 and over.)

Zack Meisel (San Diego): A short series and a few days off are the perfect preparation for a full Padres pen.

Sahadev Sharma (San Diego): I'm a little worried about Musgrove, but I still want the fathers to accept this.

Jen McCaffrey (Los Angeles): The Dodgers have been battered all year and still found ways to win.

Patrick Mooney (San Diego): San Diego's bullpen and timely hitting should frustrate an opponent who will be feeling all the pressure.

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Sam Blum (San Diego): The Dodgers may be the best team in baseball during the regular season, but their pitching situation is still far from postseason ready. This could be another quick playoff exit for Los Angeles.

Eno Sarris (San Diego): The Padres can hit with the Dodgers hitters and have a better pitching staff.

Katie Woo (San Diego): The Dodgers-Padres rivalry is real. It's daunting to face the three-headed dragon of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, but these Padres are not scary. Again, it all comes down to pitch, and the Padres have the upper hand even with Joe Musgrove injured. Dylan Cease is a real ace and Michael King is a rising star. Jack Flaherty has helped strengthen the Dodgers' rotation, but starting pitching has been Los Angeles' biggest concern all season. They did a good job improving their rotation in the regular season, but deficiencies are quickly exposed in October.

Keith Law (San Diego): The Dodgers were the better team over the course of the regular season, but they don't bring the healthier roster into this series and I have no confidence in any of their starters. In the meantime, the Padres can at least start the series with Cease and Darvish and can potentially overcome the loss of Joe Musgrove in a 5-game set.

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Kaitlyn McGrath (San Diego): I'm picking the Padres just for the vibe. In fact, they defeated the Dodgers in the season series 8-5. They are coming off their Wild Card Series win over the Braves and appear to be a team ready to do something special this postseason.

C Trent Rosecrans (San Diego): The biggest question is how the Dodgers will cover their innings. Things will be tough and the Padres have the bats to take advantage of that uncertainty.

Melissa Lockard (San Diego): The Padres may be missing Joe Musgrove, but their pitching is still healthier than the Dodgers' and the lineup is clicking.

Noah Furtado (Los Angeles): I think this game will last all five games. Both teams are similarly talented, although the Padres probably have the deeper roster. But I'm playing against the Dodgers in Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.

(Top photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)