There are just four teams left standing in the MLB Playoffs, and that number could be shrunk down to just two teams by the end of next weekend. It will be the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers battling in the ALCS, while the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies meet up in the NLCS.
Everyone is a little bit banged up at this point of the year, but there are also some teams that are dealing with significant injuries. Here is a look at some of the MLB Playoffs injuries that could end up impacting how things play out ahead of the World Series.
Pitching Always Matters
When looking at MLB Playoffs injuries, you always want to start with the pitching side of things first. Pitchers tend to dictate the action all year long, but that really becomes a big deal in the baseball MLB Playoffs.
The Houston Astros have been without Lance McCullers Jr. all season long, and he isn’t going to be available in this series either. Houston will also be without Kendall Graveman, but there is a chance he can return for the World Series.
You also want to know who is returning when making MLB picks, and the Rangers are set to get Max Scherzer back for the ALCS. Jacob DeGrom will not be making a return to the Texas rotation in the playoffs, but Jon Gray could get back on the field as well.
The MLB standings playoffs in the National League are not going to be impacted by any pitching injuries. Philadelphia is coming into this series with all of their top pitchers, and the same can largely be said for the Diamondbacks as well.
Veteran Mark Melancon is dealing with an injury for the Diamondbacks, and that could matter late in a game. There are much bigger names in the ALCS, but both the Phillies and Diamondbacks have some starting pitching talent as well.
Up 1-0 we turn to Evo. #GoAndTakeIt pic.twitter.com/h1IrriQtwU
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) October 16, 2023
Position Players to Watch
Looking at MLB Playoffs injuries on the position player side of things isn’t always a huge concern, and there really isn’t anything to report in the ALCS. Both rosters are loaded with talent, and that’s going to create a terrific matchup.
If you are going to make MLB picks in the NLCS, then there are some injury concerns that you need to watch. Both teams are convinced that their best players should be on the field, but that’s not always a guarantee.
Bryce Harper of the Phillies is dealing with a right elbow injury, but he should be healthy enough to suit up. Philadelphia could also be getting Rhys Hoskins back for the first time all year, but you will want to check out the rosters to see for sure.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are expecting catcher Gabriel Moreno to be on the field in Game 1, but he could be playing through some pain. Moreno suffered a right-hand injury in the ALDS, but X-rays did come back negative.
Evan Carter tracked it down! #ALCS pic.twitter.com/uYUMvE7FxQ
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2023
Odds to Win World Series
The MLB odds to win the World Series have been changing since the season began, and there are now just four teams listed. You can still find some great value when betting on the World Series champion, but you want to get those bets in right now.
The Houston Astros are the favorites to win the World Series at +185, and the Philadelphia Phillies are next at +210. That makes those two teams favorites to win in the ALCS and NLCS, respectively, but they will still have to show up.
Texas has odds set at +295 to win the World Series, while the Diamondbacks are currently listed at +475. There is some serious value in betting on the Diamondbacks to win it all, but they are clearly the biggest underdog at this time.
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