We have October Baseball! The Major League Baseball regular season has come to an end. It’s time for the postseason to get started. Let’s take a look at the postseason matchups for the 2023 postseason:
National League
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Brewers, who have been locked into the three seed for quite some time, can set up whatever rotation they want.
They will likely get Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff locked and loaded for the series’ first two games. In a best-of-three series, those are two good guys at the front end of the rotation. Milwaukee went 48-32 at home this season. When you have Zac Gallen, you have to like your chances.
That’s what Arizona will have when they start the series on Tuesday. Arizona has a young offense that has been up and down but is one of two teams in the National League West to reach the postseason.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miami Marlins
Philadelphia is another team with an incredible 1-2 punch to set up in the rotation. Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are shutdown guys who have been there and done that. This is the defending National League Champions, after all. The Phillies went 49-32 at home this season.
These two teams are familiar with each other, playing a series earlier in September, with the Marlins winning two out of three. Miami will finish without playing their final four outs of Game 162. They got suspended in the 8th inning last week against the Mets.
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta has been the top National League and Major League Baseball team all season. The Braves are not looking forward to meeting against divisional rivals Philadelphia or Miami in the second round of the postseason, but it will be one of them. The Braves are the best-hitting team in Major League Baseball and the top-power team.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Dave Roberts has been able to get his guys some rest and keep them ready to go. They will take next week off as they await the winner of the Brewers and Diamondbacks series. Los Angeles should be able to use whatever rotation they want, as they have been able to set up rotation for quite some time.
American League
Minnesota Twins vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Minnesota Twins will come into the postseason with the worst record in the American League, but this team is playing good baseball. The Twins soared in the final months and have been great at home. Minnesota won 47 of 81 games at home.
The Twins starting pitching was among the best in all baseball in 2023. Toronto will challenge the Twins with their ability to hit. The Blue Jays finished right in the middle of the pack in scoring, but the lineup is potent from top to bottom.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers
It is wild that the Tampa Bay Rays can lose four of their five starting pitchers, along with their starting shortstop, yet still come away with nearly 100 wins. Can the Rays continue to grab strong pitching as the postseason arrives?
The Rangers had to play down to the last game to grab the divisional title. After getting shut out on Sunday and losing the tiebreaker to Houston, they will start on the road. The Rangers finished the regular season as the third-highest-scoring team in the league.
Baltimore Orioles
Who would have thought the Baltimore Orioles would be the top seed in the American League playoffs? The Orioles spent much of the season battling with Tampa Bay for the divisional title but will be able to take next week to rest and set up their rotation.
Just like in the National League, the Orioles and Rays would be playing a second-round matchup if Tampa Bay can hold up their end of the bargain.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros won their final four regular season games to win the American League West. Dusty Baker and the defending World Series will now get a chance to take the week off before they have a shot at Minnesota or Toronto, with the series starting in Houston.
The Astros have not been consistently great in 2023 but are dangerous, as we have seen the last several seasons.
The postseason starts on Tuesday! Enjoy the games, and best of luck!
