Detroit Tigers vs. New York Mets - August 6, 2016

Detroit Tigers outfielder Tyler Collins (18) slides into home plate to score against New York Mets catcher Travis daEUArnaud (18) in the first inning of their MLB game at Comerica Park in Detroit, on Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

There aren't many baseball pundits riding the Detroit Tigers postseason train.

You've got to be mad to do that, some would say.

But that's what sports radio host Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo did on his MLB Network show "High Heat" around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31.

Russo went against the grain and chose the Detroit Tigers to win the 2017 World Series over the New York Mets in seven games.

"For Mr. I. I like the Tigers at 25/1," he said. "Remember, I had the Indians and I also had the Giants in 2010. I'm good at this. I'll take the Tigers to win the whole thing. Why not? I'm part of the Avila family. They watch every day. I'll put the whammy on them right off the bat. There you go Al (Avila). You're going to win the whole thing."

The vast majority of baseball writers around America see the Cleveland Indians as the clear-cut favorite to win the American League Central and make a run in the postseason, but not Russo. He even picked the boys in the Old English D to win the division.

"I think the Indians have a big bullseye on their back," he said. "They're a little banged up to start the year. (Jason) Kipnis, I know he's out. Who knows about (Michael) Brantley so I could see this team struggling at the start a little bit. Lot of expectations, that's always tricky."

"Detroit's due. I'll say Tigers to be a little different. I'm picking them to win the American League Central."

Russo did pick the Indians to claim one of the AL's two wildcard spots, along with the Blue Jays. He also picked the Red Sox to win the AL East and the Mariners to win the AL West.

He predicts the Tigers and Blue Jays will meet in the ALCS, mostly due to pitching. Russo praised the Tigers' trio of Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer and Jordan Zimmerman.

Russo's NL division winners include the Mets in the East, Cubs in the Central and Giants in the West. The Cardinals and Dodgers will earn wild card spots, he said.

The Mets and Cubs will meet in the NLCS, according to Russo.