The results are in! Analysts pick Blue Jays to advance to World Series

Prior to game 1 of the ALCS between the Blue Jays and their expansion cousins Seattle Mariners, Major League Baseball asked several of its analysts and experts to pick a series winner. 62% (18 out of 29 votes) picked Canada's team.

While part of the prediction stems from a depleted Seattle squad that went 15 innings against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, but as Brian McGrath puts it, the sheer dominance Toronto showed in their ALDS win over the Yankees puts them over the top.

There were some dissenting views though. National reporters Jonathan Mayo and Mark Feinsand, both highly respected for their opinions and knowledge have sided with Seattle. Feinsand feels that the Mariners have a slightly deeper pitching rotation.

Even among the naysayers, the panel of experts seemed to agree that the ALCS will go at least six games, giving the Blue Jays a chance to clinch the pennant at home.

13 out of the 29 votes predicted that the Jays will win in six games. Interestingly enough however, if the series were to go to seven games, slightly more picked the Mariners winning than the Jays (eight votes to five). Just two people picked the Mariners to win in six.

Either way, the ALCS is set to be an epic battle with the ending of a World Series drought on the line.

First pitch is at 8:08 PM EST.