2023 Divisional Round Playoffs Recap
American League
National League
0/2 correct
Divisional Round total – 2/4 correct which is right at the mean
Wildcard Round total – 2/4
Overall total – 4/8 correct which is right the mean
American League Championship Series
Texas Rangers (West Division #5 seed) vs. Houston Astros (West Division #2 seed)
Regular Season records: Texas 90-72; Houston 90-72
Head-to-Head matchups for 2023: Houston won nine out of the thirteen games played and outscored Texas 93-74 in total runs.
Texas Rangers Analysis
Rangers advanced to the ALCS after beating Baltimore in three games. Bullpen held it together in a tight 3-2 victory in Game 1. Bats came alive in Games 2 and 3 to score 18 runs and move onto the ALCS for the first time since 2011. Starting pitchers are thin with Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi being a decent 1-2 punch, but the third starter is a coin toss between Dave Dunning and Max Scherzer. Offense is clicking with a 0.282 team batting average, 7 HRs, and 29 RBIs. Will need SS Corey Seager and RF Adolis Garcia to continue to produce at a high level. Keep in mind the Rangers have manager Bruce Bochy pulling all of the strings in the dugout and he’s already won three World Series in his career. That’s a huge intangible for a squad brimming with confidence right now.
Houston Astros Analysis
Astros advanced to the ALCS after beating the Minnesota Twins in four games. Manager Dusty Baker has guided Houston back to the ALCS for the seventh straight season. Taking trash can gate out of the equation, this playoff run is similar to the New England Patriots dynasty during the Tom Brady years. Starting rotation sets up almost perfectly with Justin Verlander, Frambler Valdez, and Cristian Javier. Closer Ryan Pressly seems to be back on track, despite always falling behind in the count against key batters. Squad currently has a 0.261 batting average, 10 HRs, and 20 RBIs. Dangerous strategy to live and die with the long ball during the postseason. That probably doesn’t matter due to LF Yordan Alvarez playing better now than he did in the 2022 playoffs.
Prediction: This is technically the real World Series and the Rangers win the series in seven games.
National League Championship Series
Arizona Diamondbacks (West Division #6 seed) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (East Division #4 seed)
Regular Season records: Arizona 84-78; Philadelphia 90-72
Head-to-Head matchups in 2023: Philadelphia won four out of the seven games played and outscored Arizona 44-34 in total runs.
Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis
Diamondbacks swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in three games, to advance to the NLCS for the first time 2007. Starting pitching rotation is anchored by Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Trade deadline acquisition Paul Sewald, has become a lock down closer during this playoff run. Why did the Mariners let Sewald go? Time may never tell. Offense is getting timely hits with a 0.262 team batting average, 13 HRs, and 29 RBIs. Rookie LF Corbin Carroll is clearly showing why he’ll win the NL Rookie of the Year award due to his five star skill set. Manager Torey Lovullo continues to impress the MLB talking heads, by pushing all of the correct buttons and putting his squad first for recognition.
Philadelphia Phillies Analysis
Phillies advanced to the NLCS by beating the Atlanta Braves in four games. Fifth trip to the NLCS since the 2008 season. Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola have been solid starting pitchers in the postseason. Ranger Suarez has been a serviceable spot starter to bridge the gap to the bullpen. Setup man Craig Kimbrell and closer Jose Alvarado are almost unhittable these days, and both relish the spotlight and big stage of the playoffs. Right on the cue, the offense has woken up with a 0.274 batting average, 13 HRs, and 31 RBIs. SS Trea Turner has emerged as Robin to DH Bryce Harper’s Batman image, and both are hitting the cover off the baseball these days. Manager Robb Thomson continues to be a calm leader with a very temperamental and talented ball club.
Prediction: Phillies in five games due to being on a roll and taking a “World Serious” approach to this postseason.
Same bat time, same bat channel in one week. I’ll review the results of the MLB League Championship playoff series and try again for the World Series round.
