MLB 2023 Playoff Predictions

October is finally here! That can only mean two things: 1.) it’s Michael Myers month once again and 2.) postseason baseball has arrived! This is when baseball is at it’s absolute best! After an ungodly long marathon of homers, unwritten rules, and hammy pulls, it’s this time of the year to see which team is the most motivated, hungry, and hot to win it all.

I don’t know about anyone else but when it comes to all the professional sports, baseball is easily my favorite when it comes to playoffs. There’s just something so intense and exciting about every big moment that comes your way in October with baseball! This feels like the only sport where you are able to perfectly take in every single goosebump or heartbreaking moment that transpires without it being glossed over. Even if you are that kind of person that hates baseball because it’s “boring”, you can’t deny that postseason baseball is an entirely different story all around. All you have to do is watch one game where the game is most on the line for either opponent and you will understand greatly why there is still so much love for this sport for so long.

When it comes to 2023, there are several teams this season that I don’t think folks were predictions to make the song and dance. In what parallel universe saw the Orioles, Rangers, Marlins, and Diamondbacks making the playoffs this year but NOT the Yankees, Cardinals, Mets, and the Padres? I’m sure some saw a few of those teams as the year where certain teams would step up but I can’t imagine they also thought this would be the year where certain teams absolute crumbled. Regardless, because of plenty of new participations this time around, this sets the stage for one chaotic but incredibly exciting postseason that lies ahead. Because of that, I’m gonna give you all my predictions for how the MLB playoffs this year will play out.

American League Wild Card

Toronto Blue Jays (#6 Seed) vs Minnesota Twins (#3 Seed)

Pick: Toronto Blue Jays

The main question here is not only whether or not the Twins will win a playoff series for once but whether if they even win an actual playoff game for once. Minnesota currently has a 18 game playoff losing streak and there’s a good chance that will continue in this series against Toronto. The Blue Jays just have much more star power and a more balanced rotation than the Twins. However, if Twins can squeeze at least one victory out of this, then they would at least have that to be proud of.

Texas Rangers (#5 Seed) vs Tampa Bay Rays (#4 Seed)

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays

The Rangers came rumbling, bumbling, and stumbling down the stretch due to injuries with the starting rotation and a deeply flawed bullpen. That cause the Rangers to settle for a wild card spot against a very talented Rays team. Manager Bruce Bochy has had plenty of success in the playoffs but he’s really gonna have to push every single button correctly for Texas to have a chance this series. The problem is that they are going up against manager Kevin Cash, the master at correctly pushing buttons, (We don’t need to talk about the 2020 World Series!) Unless the Rangers can rake heavily with their loaded offense for this series, Tampa Bay’s pitching will keep their hitters off balance and knock them out as a result.

National League Wild Card

Arizona Diamondbacks (#6 Seed) vs Milwaukee Brewers (#3 Seed)

Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

When it comes to a best-of-3 series, it usually always comes down to which team has the better pitching overall. When it comes to this match-up, the Brewers have their pitching pretty much locked in and that will likely lead them to victory over Arizona. The Diamondbacks have talent but the amount of inexperience and youth from this roster will likely not get them very far, unless Zac Gallen or Merryll Kelly is able to outduel Corbin Burnes or Brandon Woodruff.

Miami Marlins (#5 Seed) vs Philadelphia Phillies (#4 Seed)

Pick: Philadelphia Phillies

The Marlins have made it back to the playoffs in a full season since the last time they won it all over two decades ago. While that is commendable, this is where they will likely stop. The Phillies have them beat when it comes to both hitting and pitching. And considering they are just coming in as the defending NL champs, there’s no way they will allow themselves to bow out in the first round. While Miami has a lot to be proud for what they have been able to do this season, Philadelphia will reign supreme.

American League Division Series

Toronto Blue Jays (#6 Seed) vs Houston Astros (#2 Seed)

Pick: Houston Astros

I am getting sick and tired of seeing the Astros win in October as much has anybody but no doubt, they know how to take care of business when it matters most. I fully suspect Houston’s pitching will keep Toronto’s often inconsistent bats in check while the usual heroes for the Astros will come on top with clutch hits along with a unlikely new hero. Be prepared for Houston’s seventh trip in a row to the ALCS!

Tampa Bay Rays (#4 Seed) vs Baltimore Orioles (#1 Seed)

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays

As surprisingly good as the Orioles have been in 2023, I just get the sneaky feeling that the Rays will have a slight edge in this series somehow. Maybe it’s due to Tampa Bay having more playoff experience, Baltimore getting a few extra days off, or the Orioles being more middle-in-the-pack in terms of pitching and hitting stats but I know something is going to happen that gives the away team the advantage. Unless the young blood will proof they are up to the test, I see the Rays taking this one as numbers and analytics, their two biggest strengths, will likely favor them.

National League Division Series

Milwaukee Brewers (#3 Seed) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (#2 Seed)

Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers

I expect this to be as one-sided and dominate as the last time these two teams meet in the playoffs. As good as the Brewers pitching has been, the Dodgers is just better. Add to the fact that Milwaukee, outside of William Contreras and Christian Yelich, can’t hit to save their lives while the Dodgers have Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez along with several others that can hit the ball well, I don’t see a reality where L.A. does not come on top here. Probably the easiest choice made thus far.

Philadelphia Phillies (#4 Seed) vs Atlanta Braves (#1 Seed)

Pick: Atlanta Braves

A part of me wants to go with the fighting Phils because I know their pitching is still effective and they will do everything in their power to at least make this a competitive series. However, despite the flaws in the pitching staff, the Braves offense is just too good for them to be eliminated by their divisional rivals for the second year in a row. If there is literally any team in baseball that is capable to literally smash their year through the playoffs, it’s the Atlanta Braves. All it takes is one or two good swings of the bats from the Braves to change anything. While I have no doubt the Phillies will be competitive, the Braves will get their revenge this time around and make their way back to the NLCS.

American League Championship Series

Tampa Bay Rays (#4 Seed) vs Houston Astros (#2 Seed)

Pick: Houston Astros

The Astros will make it back to the World Series once again and for the fifth time since 2017 for the same reasons they’ve made it before, they have guys that just know how to win. While the Rays have that to an extent, the Astros just trumps them in all forms of experience. I don’t know how close this series will be as these teams are quite equal in many ways in terms of bats and pitches but Houston will come up this time around against Tampa Bay in the ALCS. They will find a way, they always have.

National League Championship Series

Los Angeles Dodgers (#2 Seed) vs Atlanta Braves (#1 Seed)

Pick: Atlanta Braves

Off all the Braves vs Dodgers playoff series we have gotten over the years, this one has the chance to be the most exciting. It’s gonna come down to which team’s strength will be able to overcome the other’s teams weakness. It’s gonna be a match-up of the Atlanta’s elite offense and L.A.’s elite pitching. However, the Braves hitting isn’t just elite, it’s legit video game numbers. While the Dodgers’ pitching is elite as well, it’s not on the same level of the Braves’ bats. Because of that, the Braves will be making their way back to the World Series for the second time in the last three years.

World Series

Houston Astros (#2 Seed) vs Atlanta Braves (#1 Seed)

Pick: Houston Astros

I don’t care if they looked flat two weeks ago. I don’t care if their core has gotten older and not nearly elite as years prior. I don’t care if they just barely got a division title. There is no other team I trust to repeat as back-to-back year champs than the Houston Astros. Every year since the cheating scandal came out, I have picked Houston for early playoff exits every year, assuming this will be the year where they finally crack. They will always advance much further than that ever year. So, this year, I’m putting the pressure on them. I dare Houston to win it all once again for the second straight year! Whether it will be due to the pitching being dominate over Atlanta’s bats or hitters stepping up when it matters most, the Astros will find a way to win another World Series title. Their vengeance over the rest of the baseball world will continue to be felt and we will likely being having talks about this being the greatest baseball dynasty since the late 90s New York Yankees. I’ve underestimated the Astros in the past but now, I’m taking a leap of faith and deciding to overestimate them. Just win it all and continue to dunk on everyone else! I double dare you!