They did it! The Arizona Diamondbacks reached the 2023 postseason. It was a pretty up-and-down 162-game regular season for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
They started hot, then cooled down, but the Diamondbacks got it done over the last month or two. Arizona will play in the 2023 postseason.
Let’s take a look at what their first-round matchup will look like and see the rest of the Major League Baseball postseason matchups.
Arizona Diamondbacks (94-78) at Milwaukee Brewers (92-70)
So, the postseason now sees this round as a best-of-three series, with the top seed getting all three games. So, American Family Field will host these games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The first two win two games heads to the next round, and will get to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Zac Gallen could go in Game 1, but it would be on short rest. He last pitched on Friday but was a tough-luck loser. Gallen finished the regular season with 17 wins and threw over 210 innings. Gallen has been excellent against the Brewers this season. He went 14 innings, allowing just one run and striking out 15 batters.
Merrill Kelly would be next in line unless Torey Louvello wants to put him on regular rest. Starting him on Wednesday would also be three days’ rest. Kelly tossed seven innings of one-run ball against Milwaukee this season as well. Arizona would undoubtedly have questions on who to start in Game 3, with Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt as the options.
For the Brewers, Corbin Burnes will likely go in Game 1. Burnes threw on September 28th, but they took him out after four innings; he did not allow a run in that game. Burnes went 10-8 this season and has been a big strikeout pitcher all season.
Brandon Woodruff will likely go in Game 2. He made just ten starts this season but has been pretty good. He is 5-1, with a 2.28 earned run average. The last time he threw was September 23rd. Game three for Milwaukee would likely be Freddy Peralta for the Brewers.
Arizona won four out of six against the Brewers this season. The last time they played was June 21st, with the Diamondbacks winning 5-1. The winner of this series would get the 2nd seeded Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers won 100 games and can set up whatever rotation they want.
Of course, Arizona and the Dodgers are familiar with each other fighting in the National League West all season. The Milwaukee Brewers are -160 to win this series. Arizona is listed at +135.
Miami Marlins (84-77) @ Philadelphia Phillies (90-72)
These two teams have seen each other a time or two. Skip Schumaker and his Marlins had to scratch and claw to get into the postseason.
Starting pitching, clutch hitting, and solid bullpen got the Marlins into the postseason. Luis Arreaz was the National League batting champion, and guys like Jake Burger and Jorge Soler provided the power. Jazz Chisholm is a guy to watch as well for Miami.
The Marlins get the defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies can mash the baseball and have Nola and Wheeler at the front end of their rotation. The Phillies are big favorites in this series, but the pesky Marlins can never be counted out.
The Philadelphia Phillies are favorites in this series. The Phillies are -180, while Miami comes in at +150. The winner of this series gets Atlanta.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out in the American League, as the standings went down to the season’s final days. Here is how the American League stacks up.
Toronto Blue Jays (89-73) at Minnesota Twins (87-75)
Despite having a better record, the Blue Jays, who picked up the 3rd wildcard, will start the series on the road. The Blue Jays will showcase their ability to hit against some good starting pitching of the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins ran away with the American League Central but were not challenged, as Cleveland disappeared, and Chicago, Detroit, and Kansas City were pretty poor.
Toronto certainly has been battle-tested, playing meaningful games over the last month. These two teams split six games this season, with the Blue Jays winning the final game on June 11th.
Minnesota is a slight favorite in this series, listed at -125, while Toronto is +105. The Houston Astros await the winner of this series.
Texas Rangers (90-72) at Tampa Bay Rays (99-63)
Texas needed a win in the season’s final game to grab the 2nd seed in the American League but got shut out against Seattle. The Astros soared and came away as the divisional champions. The Rangers were a good story, have some talent in the lineup, and re-did their rotation at the deadline.
Tampa Bay is listed at -155, while the Texas Rangers are +130. The winner of this series will get the top-seeded Baltimore Orioles.
The Major League Baseball playoffs start on Tuesday. They will play a best-of-three series on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday before we move to the final 8 of the postseason. We are looking forward to seeing the progress of the postseason, and Go Diamondbacks!
