MLB Division Series: Which Teams Will Advance?
The Major League Baseball wildcard playoff round is complete. All four series winners of the round recorded a two-game sweep earning them an extra day off. They now get to travel to face the top teams of each league for the divisional round.
The MLB division series is a playoff format that involves the remaining eight teams, four from each league. The top two teams in each league got to sit out the wildcard round as they waited to see who their opponent would be. The winner of the wildcard round will start off as the road team in the best of five series. Whoever wins this next series, will get to play for their respective league’s pennant. Let’s see who remains and predict who will advance.
MLB's American League
Baltimore Orioles vs Texas Rangers
The Orioles finished the regular season with a record of 101-61, securing the top seed in the American League. Baltimore is just a couple seasons removed from multiple 100-loss seasons and are now one of the favorites to win the World Series. The Rangers finished the regular season with a record of 90-72, earning one of two wild card spots in the American League. Texas finished with same record as the Houston Astros, but had to play the wildcard round, in which they defeated the Tamp Bay Rays in two games.
Prediction: Orioles in 4. The Orioles have a lot of young talent, can win in multiple ways, and should be around for a long time.
Houston Astros vs Minnesota Twins
The Astros finished the regular season with a record of 90-72, securing the second seed in the American League. Houston has not looked as dominant as last year when they won the World Series, but still are a huge threat. The Twins finished the regular season with a record of 87-75, securing the third seed in the American League. Minnesota’s wildcard round victories over the Toronto Blue Jays were the team’s first playoff wins since 2004.
Prediction: Astros in 3. Houston swept both the division series and American League Championship Series last year. They are the most experienced team in the postseason.
National League
Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies
The Braves finished the regular season with a record of 104-58, securing the top seed in the National League. Atlanta’s 104 wins were also the most in all of baseball, so they have been the most consistent team. The Phillies finished the regular season with a record of 90-72 and swept the Miami Marlins in the wildcard round. Philadelphia got off to a slow start to the season but have played their best ball in recent weeks.
Prediction: Phillies in 5. For the second year in a row, the Phillies look to knock off the best regular season National League team as they try to avenge their 2022 World Series loss.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks
The Dodgers finished the regular season with a record of 100-62, securing the second seed in the National League. Los Angeles was just one of three MLB teams to win 100 games this year. The Diamondbacks finished the regular season with a record of 84-78, earning one of two wild card spots in the National League. Arizona defeated NL Central winner Milwaukee Brewers in the wildcard round.
Prediction: Dodgers in 4. Los Angeles won eight out of 13 regular season games this year between the two NL West rivals including the last five.
Do you play fantasy sports? Check out Trophy Smack for your next league prize!
If you enjoyed this article, try the SR Original shows on our Youtube channel, and subscribe!