The MLB wildcard round came and went quickly, as all four series went to just two games and are complete. That moves the postseason down to its final eight teams.
Let’s take a quick look at the first MLB divisional round series and how they played out.
American League
The top MLB wildcard team in the American League went weakly, and so did their fans. The Rays were smashed in back-to-back games in front of meager crowds in Tampa. The Rangers outscored the Rays 11-1 and took both games. The game-one winner was Jordan Montgomery, while Nathan Eovaldi threw a gem in Game 2.
Adolis Garcia, Josh Jung, and Evan Carter started the offensive party for the Rangers in Game 2. Scoring four in the fourth inning was plenty for the visitors. The Rays ended their season with 99 wins.
The American League Central-winning Minnesota Twins took care of the Toronto Blue Jays in two games. Former Marlins hurler Pablo Lopez was the game-one winner, and then in game two, Sonny Gray contained the Blue Jays offense. Toronto scored just one run in the series, as two teams from the American League East backed out in two games. The big blow offensively in Game two was a Carlos Correa RBI single in the fourth inning.
Survive and advance! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/rpKFlk4jkd
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2023
National League
In the National League, the third-seeded Milwaukee Brewers, who won the National League Central, had Corbin Burnes throwing in the first game of the series and got beat.
They then had a lead in Game Two and lost that one. Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen went six strong innings in Game Two, allowing just two runs. Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. were the offensive heroes in game two, with a four-run sixth inning for Arizona.
The crowds were crazy in Philadelphia, and the excitement is building for the next MLB divisional round. The Phillies made quick and easy work of the Miami Marlins. The Phillies allowed just two runs in the series and scored 11 of their own. After Zack Wheeler was dynamite in Game One, Aaron Nola was strong in Game 2.
Bryson Stott hit a sixth-inning grand slam to put the Phillies up by seven runs. Miami did not score a run in Game 2 until two outs in the 9th inning. The Marlins wrapped up Skip Schumaker’s first season as the manager with 84 wins.
What’s Next
Clear your schedule!
The #ALDS & #NLDS game times are here! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/Jzd2cygxnL
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2023
In the American League, the fifth-seeded Texas Rangers will start a best-of-five series in Baltimore against the Orioles. The Rangers and Orioles were the best two teams, record-wise, most of the entire season in the American League. These two teams have not met since the Orioles won 3-2 on May 28th.
The other series will feature the Houston Astros at home as they host the Minnesota Twins. This series features a pair of teams that won their division. Houston won the American League West on the season’s final day, while the Twins ran away with the American League Central. The Astros and Twins played their final season series in late May. The Twins won the final game of the series 8-2.
In the National League, a rematch of a playoff series from a season ago, as the Philadelphia Phillies are at the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are the top seed from the National League but will not take on their divisional rival and the team that upset them in the postseason last season. These two teams are familiar with each other. They last played on September 20th, and the Phillies won the game 6-5.
Here’s how things stand heading into the Division Series. 👀 pic.twitter.com/21kn7Gqsqr
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2023
The other series in the National League will feature a pair of National League West teams. The two teams in the division will mix it up as the Arizona Diamondbacks are at the Los Angeles Dodgers. These two teams met a bunch this season, but none over the season’s final month. The last time they played was August 30th, and the Dodgers won that game 7-0.
The games start on Saturday. The American League will play on Saturday and Sunday, while the National League will play on Saturday and Monday. Enjoy the postseason. The MLB divisional round should be fun, and we expect some wild games. Best of luck!
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