2023 MLB Wild Card Round Preview

I can’t believe it is already postseason time in the MLB. This year, we are now in Year 2 of the Wild Card Round and I like it a lot better than the previous 1-game set up that they had. We have 4 games starting tonight and I think the matchups are great. The season was full of surprises and I dont think there will stop being surprises in this postseason. Let’s get this thing going.

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Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rangers had the best offense in the AL and the Rays shared the best home record in the MLB with the LA Dodgers. This matchup is going to be an interesting one and I think it could go either way. The Rangers are probably the most streaky team in baseball, so how they approach this first game could be an indicator of how well they will play in this 3-game series. The Rays have the slight pitching edge, but that Rangers lineup is pretty scary. I think the Rangers will win the series and move on to play the AL’s top seeded Orioles

RANGERS IN 2

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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins

The Twins get home-field advantage despite having a worse record this season. Of all of the matchups, this is the one that could go either way. I could see both of these teams moving on, but I don’t think either will move on to beat the Astros. These teams are pretty even going into this series. I would probably give the pitching edge to the Blue Jays, but not by a lot. I also think that the Blue Jays offense is better. In fact, the Blue Jays are probably just a better team overall. I don’t think they will move on though. I like the Twins to win. I think they have a lot of hungry players in that lineup. Also, having Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis back in the infield will be a major plus. If Byron Buxton could come back, they may be a team to look out for past this round. I think this matchup will be the best of the WC Round.

TWINS IN 3

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The DBacks are a scrappy team that could make some noise this postseason. They are led by their rookie phenom, Corbin Carroll. Carroll had an historic rookie season and many fans will be looking for him to continue this string of great play. On paper, the Brewers don’t look like a contender, but they are very, very good. Their pitchers are great. They allowed the least amount of runs in the MLB this season, but can their offense provide enough runs to get over the humps? I guess we’ll see, but I think they will be good enough to get by the Diamondbacks. The back end of the Arizona rotation will be better, but they need a struggling rookie pitcher to perform out of the gate in Game 1. It doesn’t look too good for them. I think Arizona has the offensive edge, but the Brewers pitching severely outmatches the DBacks. I think it will go 3 games though.

BREWERS IN 3

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Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Marlins and DBacks were the last two teams to lock up their playoff spots in the NL and it is really no secret that they are outmatched in this round. The Phillies are much better team on paper, but anything can happen in a 3-game series. The Marlins have some fire-power on offense. Luis Arraez puts the ball wherever he wants. Jazz Chisolm is one of the more electric players in baseball when healthy and they have Jorge Soler, who hits bombs. They have a lot of guys that can hit the ball, but so do the Phillies. Philadelphia is a scary team to be facing in the postseason and to be honest, they have what it takes to get it done this year. They have better hitters and pitchers than the Marlins and I think they will handle them relatively easily. Don’t be surprised in the Phillies go on a big run this postseason.

PHILLIES IN 2

Yacs