Paul bracket

The pairings, real-life records, Hall Famers on the rosters and occasional comments: Remember, seedings are totally at random and are not reflective of the teams' perceived strengths and weaknesses.

(1) 1969 Atlanta Braves (93-64) and (16) 2009 St. Louis Cardinals (91-71). Braves have prime time Henry Aaron and Phil Niekro plus a declining Orlando Cepeda. Cardinals have no official Hall of Famers, but do have Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright and Yadi Molina. Likely one of the most even and powerful first-round matchups.

(8) 1973 Detroit Tigers (85-77) and (9) American Giants (no record). Tigers have Al Kaline near the end of his career. The American Giants have pitcher Leon Day and outfielder Willard Brown. 

(5) 1924 Cincinnati Reds (83-70) and (13) 1973 Oakland A's (94-68, won the World Series). Reds have Edd Roush and Eppa Rixey. A's have Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers. Two outstanding pitching staffs.

(4) 2009 Milwaukee Brewers (80-32) and (13) 1969 Cleveland Indians (63-99). Brewers have Trevor Hoffman, who racked up 37 saves. Indians have no Hall of Famers, although I think Luis Tiant (who had a poor season) should be. The Brewers are the second worst team in this half of the bracket and still ought to advance.

(3) 1969 St. Louis Cardinals (87-75) and (14) 2009 San Diego Padres (75-87). This version of the Cardinals have Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton and Lou Brock, plus Joe Torre, inducted as a manager but deserving as a player. The Padres have no HOFers.

(6) 1969 New York Mets (100-62, won World Series) and (11) 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates (75-87). The Miracle Mets have Tom Seaver. The Pirates are too recent for HOFers, but Andrew McCutchen seems like a likely candidate.

(7) 1973 Chicago White Sox (77-85) and 2009 Detroit Tigers (86-77) The Sox have Dick Allen, who played about half the season; Jim Kaat, who made four starts after arriving in a late season transaction; and Goose Gossage, who pitched to an ugly 7/43 ERA. The Tigers feature future inductees Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander/

(2) 1924 New York Giants (93-60-1. lost World Series) and (15) 2017 Tampa Bay Rays (80-82). John McGraw's final pennant winners feature eight players with Cooperstown plaques: Frankie Frisch, Bill Terry, Ross Youngs, Travis Jackson, Freddie Lindstrom, Geroge Kelly, Hack Wilson and Billy Southworth (inducted as a manager). The Rays are too recent to have any inductees; Evan Longoria and Blake Snell are the best possibilities.