Playoff Party Starters ⚾️

10/03/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Previews & Predictions for All 4 Wild Card Series This Week as MLB Playoffs Begin

Baseball’s 162-game marathon season has come to a close, and one final month of playoffs is going to be epic. Three teams cracked 100 wins this year, and a fourth got to 99, but nobody else sniffed the century-win mark. And that should tell us a lot about the four favorites entering the postseason. One of those four teams — the Rays (99-63) — will end up playing in the first round, while the Orioles, Astros, Braves, and Dodgers get a pass into Round 2. Eight clubs are ready to go toe-to-toe for the Wild Card rounds today, and we finally have matchups to discuss. Before we begin, a quick refresher on baseball’s postseason format:

MLB Playoff Format

Wild Card (Rd 1): Best-of-3 (This Week)

Divisional Series (Rd 2): Best-of-5 (Oct. 7-15)

Championship Series (Rd 3): Best-of-7 (Oct. 15-24)

World Series (Rd 4): Best-of-7 (Starts Oct. 27)

It’ll take 13 wins in 30 days to secure the World Series (11 with a bye). Who’s ready?

Wild Card Series Previews

AL: #4 Rays vs. #5 Rangers

The matchup between the Rangers and Rays should’ve been downright awesome, but it’s missing far too many aces to have the effect we would’ve hoped for. The three biggest arms in this series are all out with injuries: Shane McClanahan (Rays), Jacob deGrom (Rangers) and Max Scherzer (Rangers). Instead, the series will feature Jordan Montgomery (LHP, Rangers) against Tyler Glasnow (RHP, Rays) in Game 1. There’s a ton of offensive firepower, and a few missing pitchers could mean high-scoring games in this series. Both teams ranked 3rd and 4th in scoring offense. Tampa Bay is a slight favorite, and that’s how we see it, too. Prediction: Rays in 3 (2-1)

AL: #3 Twins vs. #6 Blue Jays

The other AL Wild Card series is a tighter split. The Twins hold the edge in scoring offense and home runs, but it’s Toronto who has a better batting average and on-base percentage. Both these teams were known for their defense in 2023 with the Twins (1st) and Blue Jays (4th) ranking top-4 in the AL in runs allowed. It’ll be Kevin Gausman vs. Pablo Lopez in Game 1 — the two AL leaders in strikeouts — while Sonny Gray gets the start for Minnesota in Game 2. Oddsmakers have this one split pretty close, but we like the underdogs from up north. Prediction: Blue Jays in 3 (2-1)

NL: #3 Brewers vs. #6 Diamondbacks

It’s hard not to root for the D-backs after they defied the odds all season long. Few expected Arizona to be playing baseball in October, but here we are. Game 1 pitching forecasts give Corbin Burnes (Brewers) and Brandon Pfaadt (D-Backs) the nod in the opener. Zac Gallen (D-Backs) will be available in Game 2. Both teams rank last among playoff participants in scoring offense and home runs. And while Arizona has zero pressure and could pull off something amazing, the Crew are more experienced in this scenario. Prediction: Brewers in 3 (2-1)

NL: #4 Phillies vs. #5 Marlins

A showdown on the East Coast will get plenty of attention this week as the Phillies have unfinished business and the Marlins enter October hotter than anyone. This series boasts the highest get-in ticket prices of any Wild Card matchup, largely due to Philly fans. This is another example where experience wins out. Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola will be on the mound in Games 1 and 2, respectively, and I think Philly will be lit for a quick trip to the NLDS and a potential playoff reunion with the Braves. The Marlins have been fantastic of late, but there’s no way the Phillies crumble here. Prediction: Phillies in 2 (2-0)

World Series Odds

1. Braves (+260)

2. Dodgers (+410)

3. Astros (+480)

4. Orioles (+700)

T5. Phillies (+1200)

T5. Rays (+1200)

Remaining Teams: Rangers (+1800), Twins (+1800), Blue Jays (+2000), Brewers (+2000), Diamondbacks (+4000), Marlins (+5000)

Tonight’s Schedule

AL: #5 Rangers at #4 Rays (3:00 pm ET)
AL: #6 Blue Jays at #3 Twins (4:30 pm ET)

NL: #6 Diamondbacks at #3 Brewers (7:00 pm ET)
NL: #5 Marlins at #4 Phillies (8:00 pm ET)

*Wild Card Best-of-3 Series to Take Place Today, Tomorrow & Thursday

Three straight days of the Wild Card rounds will have us playing in the NLDS/ALDS by the weekend. October, the time is now.

FOX Sports: 2023 World Series Odds: Braves Enter MLB Playoffs as Favorites

ESPN: Playoff Preview: World Series Odds, Keys to Success & Predicted Doom Date for All 12 Teams

Image via Giphy