# MLB: The Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [October 2, 2023, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989 "2023-10-02T04:45:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/1 "2023-10-02T04:45:32Z")
The playoffs begin Tuesday. Your wild card matchups: Milwaukee (92-70) hosts Arizona (84-78) _(Winner plays Los Angeles)_ The Serpents, who might well have the top two votegetters in Rookie of the Year voting in Corbin Carroll and Gabriel Moreno, are one of two teams to make the playoffs that allowed more runs than they scored. Still, any team that can start Zac Gallen can win a game, and if you win one ya just have to split the other two. Milwaukee doesn’t have any more offense than Arizona; they are kinda mediocre, really, and have a shocking number of regulars who batted like .210. But they have an absolute shutdown bullpen and Corbin Burnes, so they could easily win this 2-0 and allow one run the entire time. Miami (84-77) at Philadelphia (90-72) _Winner plays Atlanta_ The Marlins allowed 55 more runs than they scored, a new record for a team in the postseason. They were nine games better than their Pythagoerean. Their offense was the worst in the National League, and they have no obvious frontline starters. It would be a sensational upset to beat the Phillies but, again, it’s just two wins. The Phillies are much the same as last year; they hit home runs a lot, and a pitching rotation of Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler and Taijuan Walker is as good a three man attack as you’ll see in this round. They really should win this. Minnesota (87-75) hosts Toronto (89-73) _Winner plays Houston_ Minnesota quietly had a great September and they also quietly led the American League in homers, but they have a huge number of guys injured right now - Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton,. Royce Lewis, and more are out and their ability to return in uncertain. However, the team is deep and the pitching staff is healthy and looking good. Don’t sleep on this team. They’ll break their 18-game playoff losing streak. Toronto, in a reversal of team image, had a terrific year pitching and fielding - the starting rotation was crazy good despite Alek Manoah imploding, outfield defense was the best in baseball by a mile - but couldn’t score runs. Nothing about the offense appears to be improving, so Toronto needs to win some 2-1 games to advance through any round of playoffs. On paper they are the better team but I doubt their ability to hit enough to go far. Tampa Bay (99-63) hosts Texas (90-72) _Winner plays Baltimore_ Hard to say how good the Rays are; they are on paper a terrific team, but they have significant injuries and their best player is away because of the… unpleasantness. They always seem to come up with more guys, but the players who amassed 99 wins are not all in the lineup Tuesday. Texas blew the division title and the bye today; you never know with these guys. Just in September at one point they lost four in a row, then lost six in a row, then lost four in a row, then lost six in a row. They hammer the baseball but I am not delighted with the pitching staff. Best middle infield in baseball, maybe in the last decade, right? Loaded with talent. They’ll be good for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/2 "2023-10-02T11:56:44Z")
Here’s a handy article covering the matchups. Basically,I’m hoping it isn’t the Dodgers, Braves or especially the Astros taking it all. > **[Here's the 2023 postseason bracket](https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-playoff-picture-and-bracket-2023)** > > The playoff field is set for the postseason, which starts on Tuesday with the Wild Card round. Here is what the playoff picture looks like for the first-round Wild Card matchups, times for each game and what the following divisional series could look... ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/3 "2023-10-03T03:53:01Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Just in September at one point they lost four in a row, then lost six in a row, then lost four in a row, then lost six in a row. ??? Should it be: lost four, won six, lost four, won six? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/4 "2023-10-03T07:45:09Z")
Here are the 12 teams with their seedings, and their most recent World Series Championship (or if they’ve never won it, most recent appearance). AL.1-BAL 1983 AL.2-HOU 2022 AL.3-MIN 1991 AL.4-TBR (never; last appearance was 2020) AL.5-TEX (never; last appearance was 2011) AL.6-TOR 1993 NL.1-ATL 2021 NL.2-LAD 2020 NL.3-MIL (never; last appearance was 1982) NL.4-PHI 2008 NL.5-MIA 2003 NL.6-ARI 2001 ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/5 "2023-10-03T13:07:33Z")
I’d like to see a World Series between two teams that have never won one, or haven’t won it in a long time. So Milwaukee vs. the Rays, Rangers, Twins, Blue Jays or Orioles. But odds are we’ll get another snoozefest: Atlanta or LA vs. Houston. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/6 "2023-10-03T13:15:06Z")
This is likely Kershaw’s last year as a Dodger, and likely his last in baseball, so I’d love to see him pick up another ring before he goes. Crushing Tampa or Texas in the process would just make it all the sweeter. The Astros can rot. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/7 "2023-10-03T14:23:31Z")
It’s the Dodgers who can rot! (Says the unbiased SFG fan) Truly though, it would be great if Keshaw wins a second ring. Especially it being the first ring from a real season, one with 162 games. I’d like to see Dusty Baker win one. For the Brewers to win it would be quite the feat. ATL and LAD are just so very strong! But that would be nice to see. As is TBR and TEX also winning their first. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/8 "2023-10-03T14:43:09Z")
I have no dog in the hunt this year (I’m a KC fan first, Cardinal fan second), but I’m rooting for the Orioles. This is a team that lost 110 games two years ago, and the turnaround is really quite remarkable. In a division dominated (at least in the eyes of the media) by the Yankees and Red Sox, it was refreshing to see a new face at the top. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/9 "2023-10-03T19:01:45Z")
Probably. I’m old. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/10 "2023-10-03T19:02:25Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I’d like to see Dusty Baker win one. Yeah, it’s been a whole year! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/11 "2023-10-03T19:04:38Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > This is likely Kershaw’s last year as a Dodger, and likely his last in baseball, Has Kershaw said he wants to retire? He’s not THAT old and he can still pitch. I know people have speculated about it, but until Kershaw says so, I don’t buy it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/12 "2023-10-03T19:23:46Z")
He’s being coy, as usual. But he has said he’ll only do one year contracts, and his velocity is way down this year. If the Dodgers win the Series, he’ll retire. If they don’t….we shall see. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/13 "2023-10-03T23:04:43Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > > [@Bullitt](#): > > > > I’d like to see Dusty Baker win one. > > Yeah, it’s been a whole year! Yeah I deserved that. ---
**Author:** ![SwissMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@SwissMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwissMan)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/14 "2023-10-03T23:35:34Z")
I don’t know if the guy sitting behind home plate in Milwaukee is the legit OG Marlins Man or not; in any case, shouldn’t he be in Philly? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/15 "2023-10-04T02:39:32Z")
I just checked his Twitter page - it’s him. He goes all over the place during the postseason. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/16 "2023-10-04T04:36:33Z")
Texas 4, Tampa Bay 0 Jordan Montgomery was near untouchable. Minnesota 3, Toronto 1 Royce Lewis drove in all three Twins runs with two homers. Arizona 6, Milwaukee 3 Rookie sensation Corbin Carroll reached base four times and hit a dinger. Philadelphia 4, Miami 1 Zack Wheeler was way too much for the light-hitting Marlins. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/17 "2023-10-04T14:00:17Z")
Man, I’m so relieved that Cashman dealt Montgomery away. Scrub. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/18 "2023-10-04T14:14:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Minnesota 3, Toronto 1 > Royce Lewis drove in all three Twins runs with two homers. In yet another on the long list of baseball’s obscure facts, Royce Lewis, who was the overall #1 pick of the 2017 MLB draft, became the first of these #1 picks to hit a home run in his first postseason at-bat. It was also the first multi-homer game in Lewis’ career, which, granted, has spanned only 70 games. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/19 "2023-10-04T15:56:45Z")
Sports Illustrated — [Phillies Closer Craig Kimbrel Very Smartly Committed an Intentional Balk Before Winning Game](https://www.si.com/.amp/mlb/2023/10/04/marlins-phillies-craig-kimbrel-smart-intentional-balk-in-bottom-of-ninth) No sign stealing on his watch. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/20 "2023-10-04T16:09:24Z")
First time I ever saw an intentional balk, but it made sense. That runner didn’t matter and he wanted him on third. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989.md?page=2)