MLB Postseason 2023: Division Series Review & Championship Series Preview

After four one-sided Wild Card series, we hoped to see more competitive baseball in the division series. Instead, we got much of the same. Two series ended in sweeps, and the others went to four games. We're yet to see a winner-take-all game in the postseason. One trend that did continue was higher seeds eliminating lower seeds, with only one division champion remaining. Here is a look at the action from the division series and a preview of the Final 4. 

Division Series Review

1. Baltimore Orioles vs. 5. Texas Rangers

The AL East finished the postseason without a win, losing all seven games. Texas is responsible for five losses, marching to the ALCS by sweeping the AL's top two teams. Baltimore put forth a solid effort in Game 1, getting a solid start from Kyle Bradish and a good day at the plate from Anthony Santander. However, a two-run fourth inning, a solo shot by Josh Jung, and a thwarted stolen base attempt would be enough for Texas to steal the game to open the series. Baltimore started Game 2 much better, scoring two runs in the first inning to get the game going. However, a five-run second inning and a grand slam in the third by Mitch Garver broke the game open for the Rangers, taking a 9-2 lead. The Orioles wouldn't go down without a fight, getting a solo home run from Gunnar Henderson and a three-run shot by Aaron Hicks, but Baltimore would fall again, losing 11-8. With the series shifting to Texas, the Orioles were on borrowed time. After Texas scored six runs in the first two innings, the time had come. Nathan Eovaldi spun seven fantastic innings as the Rangers cruised to a three-game sweep. 

Series MVP- Mitch Garver (TEX)- (4-for-10, 3 runs, 1 double, 1 home run, 7 RBIs)

2. Houston Astros vs. 3. Minnesota Twins

After coming up empty in the Wild Card Round, I finally have my first perfect prediction. In my preview for the division series, I joked that I was happy Minnesota won because now I could pick Houston to win in four games. That's precisely what they did. Through six innings in Game 1, Houston was in control. A solo home run in the first by Jose Altuve and a two-run shot in the third by Yordan Alvarez was part of a 5-0 lead that the Astros carried for most of the game. In the seventh, a three-run home run by Jorge Polanco and a solo homer by Royce Lewis got Minnesota back within a run. Alvare'z second homer of the game helped provide some insurance as the bullpen shut down the Twins to win Game 1, 6-4. Game 2 was all Minnesota. Carlos Correa terrorized his former team, driving two doubles and bringing in three runs, while Pablo Lopez pitched seven shutout innings. The Astros' only offense came on a two-run homer by Alvarez as the Twins evened the series with a 6-2 win. Houston started Game 3 with a four-run first inning, highlighted by a three-run shot from Jose Abreu, the first of two home runs for him. Alex Bregman and Alvarez added solo shots later in the game, and Christian Javier held the Twins to one hit in five innings as the Astros put themselves one game away from advancing with a 6-1 victory. Facing elimination, Minnesota got on the board first in Game 4 as Lewis slugged a solo home run to get things started. However, a responding shot by Michael Brantley and a two-run shot by Abreu got the Astros back in front in short order. Edouard Julien knocked a homer to pull back within one run, but it was too late. Houston struck out the side in the ninth, earning their seventh consecutive trip to the ALCS. 

Series MVP- Yordan Alvarez (HOU) (7-for-16, 7 runs, 2 doubles, 4 home runs, 6 RBIs, 1 walk)

1. Atlanta Braves vs. 4. Philadelphia Phillies

While it was a new year, the results remained the same. Starting in Atlanta, the Phillies immediately took control of the series. Aided by a dominant game from the entire pitching staff and a home run by Bryce Harper, Philadelphia shut out the Braves 3-0 to take the opening game. The momentum carried into Game 2 for the Phillies. Zack Wheeler pitched 5.2 no-hit innings, and the offense, led by a two-run shot by JT Realmuto, held a 4-0 lead. The no-hitter was broken up in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Ozzie Albies, and this seemed to kickstart the Braves. Travis d'Arnaud cut the deficit to one run with a two-run shot in the seventh inning, then Austin Riley completed the comeback in the eighth with his own two-run homer, giving Atlanta their first lead of the series. Raisel Iglesias took the mound in the ninth inning and closed the door to even the series. As the series shifted to Philadelphia, the Phillies took over. After Atlanta scored first in the top of the third inning, the Phillies responded with six runs in the bottom half. Philadelphia would slug six home runs, including two each for Nicholas Castellanos and Bryce Harper, as they eased to a 10-2 victory. Game 4 started similarly, with Atlanta taking an early lead on a solo home run by Austin Riley. However, Castellanos immediately responded to tie it. Trea Turner gave the Phillies the lead with a solo shot in the fifth, then Castellanos made MLB history by becoming the first player to hit multiple homers in back-to-back games to make it 3-1. Meanwhile, the Phillies' pitching staff kept the Braves' bats quiet. Their time would run out as the Phillies finished the series with a 3-1 victory, beating the Braves in consecutive seasons. 

Series MVP- Bryce Harper (PHI) (6-for-13, 5 runs, 3 home runs, 5 RBIs, 5 walks, 1 stolen base)

2. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. 6. Arizona Diamondbacks

I need help diagnosing what the problem is with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers didn't show up in a series that they were the heavy favorites to win. Arizona found ways to make them lose hope early in games, then suffocated them into submission. Game 1 against Clayton Kershaw was a perfect example. Before Kershaw could record an out, the Diamondbacks scored five runs, capped off by a three-run homer by Gabriel Moreno. The Dodgers ace didn't make it out of the first inning. Corbin Carroll hit a homer during a three-run second inning for Arizona, and Alek Thomas added a homer later in the game as Arizona held an 11-0 lead in the eighth. The Dodgers managed to push two runs across, but Arizona served up a lopsided loss in Game 1. The start of Game 2 was better for the Dodgers but not great. Arizona only pushed across three runs to start the game, giving Zac Gallen enough cushion to do his thing. JD Martinez took Gallen deep, but Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the run back to make it 4-1. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth but only got one run across, keeping it a two-run game. That's as close as they got, as the Diamondbacks won both games at Dodger Stadium with a chance to end it at home. Propelled by four solo home runs in the third inning, that's what they did. Los Angeles couldn't chip away enough, dropping Game 3 4-2 as the Diamondbacks completed the unlikely sweep to reach the NLCS for the first time since 2007. 

Series MVP- Gabriel Moreno (ARZ) (3-for-11, 2 runs, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs)

Championship Series Preview

ALCS- 2. Houston Astros vs. 5. Texas Rangers

The only certainties coming into this series are that a team from the AL West and a team from Texas are guaranteed to make it to the World Series. Texas has looked unstoppable, sweeping Tampa Bay and Baltimore to advance, while Houston had a tougher time with Minnesota, advancing in four games in their first series of the postseason.

Season Series- The Astros dominated the season series, winning nine times and outscoring the Rangers 93-74. Houston won six of the seven games in Arlington, including a three-game sweep in early September, where they outscored the Rangers 39-10. 

Postseason History- This is the first time the Astros and Rangers have met in the postseason. 

Player to Watch- Marcus Semien (TEX)- The Rangers' run to the ALCS has been carried by Corey Seager, Josh Jung, and Evan Carter. While that's fine and dandy, it's time for the rest of the team to help. Marcus Semien is hitting .174 through five games and has the worst OPS on the team in the postseason. Hopefully, his success in the regular season against the Astros (.431, 4 HR, 12 RBI) will carry into the ALCS. 

Why Texas Could Win- No one player is carrying the Rangers to this point. This has been a complete team effort, with many surprise performances from the rookies. They've also done it almost completely on the road. Tampa Bay isn't the most terrifying place to play a game, but Baltimore was rocking, and they handled business. Minute Maid Park will be a similar environment. Texas is capable of staying hot to advance to the World Series. They might also get Max Scherzer back. 

Why Houston Could Win- Few franchises in the history of baseball have the level of experience most of the Astros have. Jose Altuve is in the Top 10 in several postseason stats for his career, including 2nd in home runs. Yordan Alvarez was one of the best players in the division series. Justin Verlander has almost as much postseason experience as any pitcher in MLB history. They are a juggernaut of a team in the postseason as they enter their seventh straight championship series. 

Prediction- During this long ALCS streak for the Astros, this is their second-worst team to reach the championship series, based on record. While Texas is the 5th seed in the AL, they had as many wins as the Astros. There isn't a big difference between these two other than experience. The Astros are almost automatic when making it to the ALCS. However, I'm going to ride with the Rangers. They've been the most lethal offense of the postseason. It's going to be tough, but I think Texas can be the team to unseat the Astros. Texas in 6 (Series MVP: Josh Jung)

NLCS- 4. Philadelphia Phillies vs. 6. Arizona Diamondbacks

This is another familiar situation for the Philadelphia Phillies. Last season, they entered the postseason as a Wild Card team, beat the Braves in the NLDS, and faced the 3rd Wild Card team from the NL West, the San Diego Padres. This season, the road was similar, but the NLCS opponent is different. The Arizona Diamondbacks have gotten hot at the perfect time, beating two division champions to make it to the championship series. 

Season Series- The Phillies won the season series 4-3 over the Diamondbacks, outscoring them 44-34. Arizona took two of three games in Philadelphia in late May, while the Phillies won three of four in Arizona in mid-June. 

Postseason History- This is the first time the Phillies and Diamondbacks have met in the postseason. 

Player to Watch- Corbin Carroll (ARZ)- In his first taste of postseason action, NL Rookie of the Year frontrunner Corbin Carroll has been phenomenal. He's hitting over .400, has an OBP over .560, and has a pair of home runs. This is the biggest stage he's been on thus far. Plus, he'll be facing a team with a lot of experience, so he'll need to be great if the Diamondbacks have any chance. 

Why Arizona Could Win- While it wouldn't be incorrect to say they could win based on blind luck, that's how the MLB postseason has been for the last few years. This run has little to do with luck for Arizona. The Diamondbacks overcame two multi-run deficits against the Brewers, then dominated their division rival for three games. Like their opponent, they've used the long ball to their advantage, tying the Phillies for the league lead with 13. This run has been no fluke. 

Why Philadelphia Could Win- The biggest X-factor in this series will be the crowd at Citizens Bank Park. The team on the field has been great, hitting 13 home runs and allowing just 10 runs through six games. For all the good things they've done on the field, the atmosphere in Philadelphia has been unmatched this postseason. The Phillies are also experienced, having advanced to the World Series last season. That will account for plenty against a largely inexperienced group. 

Prediction- The difference between these two teams in the postseason has been razor-thin. The Phillies have 31 runs, 13 home runs, and a 1.53 ERA in six games. The Diamondbacks have scored 30 runs, hit 13 homers, and have a team ERA of 2.20 in five games. However, Arizona has been doing it with a lineup of guys that doesn't reach Philadelphia's in terms of star power. I've picked against the Diamondbacks twice this offseason, and I've been wrong both times. Nonetheless, I'm picking against them again. Philadelphia's crowd will be rowdier than ever, allowing them to win another pennant. Philadelphia in 5 (Series MVP: Nicholas Castellanos)