Always Prospering Media

With the Wild Card round completed in the 2023 MLB Playoffs, the LDS is right around the corner with all four series beginning on Saturday, October 7th. The Wild Card round featured every series resulting in a two game sweep. It also resulted in two of the three playoff teams from a stacked American League East getting sent home in a hurry. Tampa Bay and Toronto’s playoff aspirations were short lived with the Twins winning their first playoff series in over twenty years and the Rangers out scoring the Rays 11-1 the two played in Tropicana Field. The product on the field wasn’t the only disappointment at Tropicana Field, either. The attendance for Game 1 was recorded at 19,704, which was the lowest attendance recorded at an MLB playoff game in over a century. The last time the attendance was so poor was the World Series played between the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds back in 1919. In the National League, the Diamondbacks overcame early deficits on consecutive days to take down the NL Central champions in Milwaukee. Finally, the good vibes keep rolling in south Philly where “Red October” is in full effect and helped the Phillies to secure a rematch against the Braves from last season’s postseason. 

Philadelphia vs Atlanta 

NL East rivals are set to square off in a rematch of last years NLDS. Last season, the underdog Phillies were able to overcome Atlanta in four games, taking one of the two in Atlanta and then pouring on the offense in Citizens Bank Park to take out the 2021 champs. This year’s rematch has a lot that looks similar to last year’s. The Braves once again had a dominant regular season and secured the top seed to control home field advantage in the National League playoff bracket. The Braves’ 104 wins proved to be baseball’s best and they open as favorites to advance to the LCS. They also hit a whopping 307 balls into the seats, which also proved to be baseball’s best.  That being said, the Phillies certainly have pop in their order too, and with familiar faces like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and JT Realmuto, Philadelphia is as dangerous as ever.

Pick – Philadelphia in 5. 

Texas vs Baltimore 

Playoff baseball is back in Camden Yards. One of the most beautiful ballparks in all of baseball will finally get to see meaningful postseason play when the Texas Rangers come to the Charm City to face off with Baltimore for their first playoff game since 2016. No Félix Bautista for Baltimore but the O’s still have Yennier Cano to lean on in the pen. They also have a lot of youth, athleticism, and speed which pose problems for opposing ball clubs. However, they also have no postseason experience. The Rangers, on the other hand, come into this series having dismantled the Rays, a division rival of Baltimore. Another interesting thing to look at is that Baltimore doesn’t have a ton of power in the order while Adolis Garcia of Texas hit 39 homers this season. Power does play a roll in the postseason but Camden Yards is also no longer the most home run friendly park since moving the left field wall back and making it taller. 

Pick – Baltimore in 5. 

Minnesota vs Houston 

The ever familiar Houston Astros are back in the playoffs looking to defend their championship from 2022. Houston has been an integral part of the post season for numerous years now, establishing themselves as a mainstay in the playoffs. Their opponents are quit the opposite. The Twins are in new territory, at least most of them are. The exception: Carlos Correa, who you will recall was on the infamous 2017 Astros squad that won the World Series before allegations of them cheating were confirmed. Now Correa will lead his club into Space City to face off against Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in H-Town. The Astros have way more experience and with manager Dusty Baker at the helm, they are heavily favored and for good reason. Maybe Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and company will be able to prove the doubters wrong, but I don’t think they will. 

Pick – Houston in 4 

Arizona vs Los Angeles 

This matchup presents a similar theme from the one mentioned previously. One team has been a staple in postseason baseball over the last decade while the other is making its first appearance in the NLDS since 2017. In that 2017 matchup, the Diamondbacks happened to face the same Dodgers they are preparing to once again battle. Los Angeles swept that matchup to advance to the NLCS in three games. They went on to lose in the World Series to Houston. Merrill Kelly will pitch in Game 1 on Saturday evening at 9:20pm EST for Arizona while LA turns to a familiar face in veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw. The 35 year old had another stellar regular season, boasting a 13-5 record with an ERA of 2.46. Arizona, led by Corbin Carroll, will seek to avenge their 2017 shortcomings. They’ve come a long way and have a bright future, but I don’t think this is the year. 

Pick – Los Angeles in 4 

written by Andrew Petrino. 

Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images