5 reasons the Yankees are World Series contenders

4. Can we trust the Dodgers or Nationals to win the pennant?

While the Houston Astros still haven’t proven that they can win a postseason series, the same can be said for two of the biggest threats that could theoretically face the Yankees in the 2017 Fall Classic. The Los Angeles Dodgers have not played in a World Series since 1988. That is so long ago. The Washington Nationals have never won a postseason series to date.

Frankly, getting to a World Series would be a huge accomplishment for the Dodgers. It has not happened since the dawn of the internet and the tail-end of the Ronald Reagan administration. As for Washington, the Nationals HAVE to win a postseason series. Anything other than an NLCS appearance would be another embarrassment for this NL East power.

The only team in the National League postseason race that has any recent success in October are the defending champion Chicago Cubs. They’ve only recently caught fire after the All-Star Break. Adding left-hander Jose Quintana from the reeling Chicago White Sox only helps the Cubs’ quest for back-to-back Commissioner’s Trophies.

In short, it’s a total crapshoot once we get to October. It’s not like there will be a ton of teams with championship league series experience playing late this fall. Cleveland and Chicago are really the two teams to be worried about, but New York has history on its side to prevail because they are the Yankees.