Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel will face off on a hot topic in sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week. Lambert and Thiel will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why you they are right.

This week’s topic: Playoff preview: Who will win the World Series?

Last week, the MLB playoffs got underway with eight teams currently fighting to win the World Series. Last season, the San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in seven games, 4-3, to win their third World Series in five years. This week, Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel voice their opinions about which team will lift the World Series trophy in October. Let’s talk about it…

(Recap by Sam Thiel)

Matthew Lambert/Winonan

Something beautiful has happened. Do you know what it is? It is the end of the Major League Baseball season. Even me, a lover of all things baseball, grows tired of the long, dreadful 162-game season. October is where the exciting baseball starts. This is where a champion is crowned. Each league has five teams competing for the title.

The question remains: Who will win the World Series? Will it be an underdog? A team that has gained serious momentum since the All-Star break? Or maybe a team that pulled off a season defining trade?

It is none of those, actually. It is the St. Louis Cardinals, the most consistent team all season.

For sports fans there is a lot of concern around the underdog. Everyone roots for an underdog. The two teams in last year’s World Series were seeded fourth and fifth, respectively, which was abnormal. In 2013, both teams that reached the World Series were the top-ranked team in their league. In 2012, it was the third ranked teams. So don’t believe some Wild Card team will win the World Series. Don’t bet against the team with the best record in baseball.

Let’s not forget, the Cardinals have a winning record against every team in the National League playoff picture. Not to mention their 4-2 record over the number one seeded Kansas City Royals in the American League.

If the history of the World Series and dominant regular season record does not convince you, take a look at the depth and experience the Cardinals have. This team is built for post-season play. This team does not have superstars, but a collection of stars who do not overshadow but instead bring out the best in each other.

Finally, the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox aren’t in the playoffs – the two teams to thwart the efforts of the beloved Cardinals in the past decade. The odds are in our favor.

Sam Thiel/Winonan

Oh, Canada! Our baseball team is back in playoff land!

Rejoice Toronto fans. Your beloved Blue Jays are once again in contention for the World Series. The last time the Blue Jays won the World Series, Bill Clinton was president of the U.S., Beanie Babies were created and “Jurassic Park” was released in theatres. I wasn’t even born yet.

The first reason why the Blue Jays will win the World Series is because it has been a long time since they have enjoyed the sweet taste of championship champagne, and frankly, they deserve it. It has not only been 22 years since their last World Series title but also 22 years since they made the playoffs.

Another reason Toronto will win the World Series is they have made the right moves at the right time. Days before the trade deadline, the Blue Jays had a record of 50-51 and were behind the New York Yankees by eight games in the AL East division.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos traded for shortshop Troy Tulowitzki and pitcher David Price as well as Ben Revere, LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe. The trades paid off, as Toronto won 43 of its final 61 games to win the AL East title.

Finally, the Blue Jay offense has too much firepower to not contend with anybody. Toronto led the majors in home runs (232), runs (891), doubles (308), on-base percentage (.340) and slugging percentage (.457). Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion each hit at least 39 homers during the regular season as well.

The Blue Jays have too much on the offensive end to not win it all. They have All-Star pitching, lots of power and thousands of Toronto fans hungry for a World Series title. Who knows, maybe championship maple syrup tastes better than champagne.