An Exploration of the 2023 MLB Playoffs: Unveiling the Postseason Bracket and Wild Card Matchups

2023 MLB Playoff Bracket: Postseason Matchups and Schedule

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The 2023 MLB playoff bracket has been finalized, marking the beginning of an exciting postseason. As the regular season came to a close, the Houston Astros jumped ahead of the Texas Rangers to win the AL West title and secure a first-round bye. The playoffs will kick off with the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, featuring four matchups: Rays vs. Rangers, Twins vs. Blue Jays, Phillies vs. Marlins, and Brewers vs. Diamondbacks.

Seeding and Tiebreakers

The Astros and Rangers finished the regular season with the same record of 90-72, but Houston held the tiebreaker, granting them the division title. As a result, the Rangers will be the No. 5 seed in the American League bracket, while the Blue Jays secure the No. 6 spot. In the National League, the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Astros locked in the No. 5 seed for the Marlins, leading to a matchup against the Phillies. The Diamondbacks will be the No. 6 seed and face off against the Brewers in the Wild Card Series.

The 12-Team Field

After a hectic Saturday night, five teams clinched their postseason spots, completing the 12-team field. The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and Baltimore Orioles have earned first-round byes and will advance directly to the League Division Series. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers will be hosting Wild Card Series matchups next week.

Game Schedule

The Wild Card Series will be played in a best-of-three format, beginning on Tuesday, October 3. The League Division Series will commence on Saturday, October 7. The exact game times for postseason matchups have not yet been announced by the league.

2023 MLB Playoff Bracket

Here is a look at the complete MLB playoff bracket:

(Insert image of playoff bracket here)

Wild Card Series Schedule

All Wild Card Series games will be available for streaming on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox, and FS1.

Tuesday, October 3:

• Game 1: No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Rangers, 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC
• Game 1: No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Blue Jays, 4:38 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 1: No. 3 Brewers vs. No. 6 Diamondbacks, 7:08 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• Game 1: No. 4 Phillies vs. No. 5 Marlins, 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

Wednesday, October 4:

• Game 2: No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Rangers, 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC
• Game 2: No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Blue Jays, 4:38 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 2: No. 3 Brewers vs. No. 6 Diamondbacks, 7:08 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• Game 2: No. 4 Phillies vs. No. 5 Marlins, 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

Thursday, October 5:

• Game 3*: No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Rangers, 3:08 p.m. ET, ABC
• Game 3*: No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Blue Jays, 4:38 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 3*: No. 3 Brewers vs. No. 6 Diamondbacks, 7:08 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• Game 3*: No. 4 Phillies vs. No. 5 Marlins, 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

Divisional Round Schedule

After the conclusion of the Wild Card Series, the Divisional Round will take place starting on Saturday, October 7. The schedule for the Divisional Round is as follows:

Saturday, October 7:

• ALDS Game 1: No. 1 Orioles vs. TBD (Fox or FS1)
• ALDS Game 1: No. 2 Astros vs. TBD (Fox or FS1)
• NLDS Game 1: No. 1 Braves vs. TBD (TBS)
• NLDS Game 1: No. 2 Dodgers vs. TBD (TBS)

Sunday, October 8:

• ALDS Game 2: Orioles vs. TBD (Fox or FS1)
• ALDS Game 2: Astros vs. TBD (Fox or FS1)

Monday, October 9:

• NLDS Game 2: Braves vs. TBD (TBS)
• NLDS Game 2: Dodgers vs. TBD (TBS)

Tuesday, October 10:

• ALDS Game 3: TBD vs. Orioles (Fox or FS1)
• ALDS Game 3: TBD vs. Astros (Fox or FS1)
• NLDS Game 3: TBD vs. Braves (TBS)
• NLDS Game 3: TBD vs. Dodgers (TBS)
• ALDS Game 4*: TBD vs. Orioles (Fox or FS1)
• ALDS Game 4*: TBD vs. Astros (Fox or FS1)
• NLDS Game 4*: TBD vs. Braves (TBS)
• NLDS Game 4*: TBD vs. Dodgers (TBS)
• ALDS Game 5*: Orioles vs. TBD (Fox or FS1)
• ALDS Game 5*: Astros vs. TBD (Fox or FS1)
• NLDS Game 5*: Braves vs. TBD (TBS)
• NLDS Game 5*: Dodgers vs. TBD (TBS)

As the postseason unfolds, baseball fans will bear witness to intense competition and thrilling moments. The MLB playoffs have a way of captivating audiences, as the quest for the World Series title ignites the passion of players and fans alike. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as the postseason journey unfolds.

Keywords: Baseball, MLB playoffs, 2023 postseason bracket, wildcard matchups