A fast hitter right here: immediately, MLB launched the schedule for the 2023 playoffs. It’s not precisely compelling studying; for probably the most half, groups play a collection of video games towards one another, largely daily apart from journey, identical to you anticipate. However the brand new 12-team playoff format continues to be contemporary, so let’s run down the related construction of the rounds simply as a reminder.
Wild Card Spherical
This one is similar as earlier than and can probably stay this manner for so long as this playoff format exists. The worst division winner and the three wild card groups in every league play (as much as) three straight video games, on the higher seed’s stadium, on three straight days, October 3–5. That signifies that plenty of groups will probably be burning their finest three starters on this spherical, however there’s nothing new right here, so let’s transfer on.
Divisional Collection
Final yr, the 2 leagues had completely different schedules, regardless of the identical wild card schedule, to keep away from days with no baseball in any way. That very same common construction is preserved this yr. The AL begins with two video games on October 7 and eight, then a journey day, then video games on the tenth and eleventh, one other journey day, and a possible Sport 5 on the thirteenth. The NL is staggered in a different way: they begin with a recreation on the seventh adopted by a day without work, then have a recreation on the ninth adopted by a journey day, two straight video games on the eleventh and twelfth, and eventually a journey day earlier than a possible Sport 5.
It is a change from final yr, as each leagues have extra off-days baked into the schedule. In 2022, groups kind of had to make use of 5 starters in the event that they went the space within the wild card spherical. The 2022 NL schedule had just one off-day complete throughout the spherical, and whereas the AL schedule had two off-days, it closed with three video games in three days throughout two cities. With extra time due to the dearth of a lockout-impacted schedule, the remaining days have multiplied. An NL staff might use its three finest starters within the wild card spherical, a fourth starter in Sport 1, after which its three finest starters once more in Video games 2–4. Amazingly, its ace might come again for Sport 5 on common relaxation; he’d be pitching on October 3, 9, and 14, hardly a strenuous schedule.
That received’t work fairly as effectively within the AL, however it received’t be a lot worse. An ace might pitch on October 3, 8, and 13, with 4 days of relaxation between every begin. Relative to final yr, this yr locations much less premium on depth and extra on top-end beginning pitching. Fifth starters, I’m sorry: your companies probably received’t be required.
Championship Collection
The ALCS schedule is nearly precisely what baseball followers are used to: two video games, a journey day, three video games, one other journey day, after which the final two video games. The NL schedule is similar, apart from the truth that it begins a day later. That double-travel-day setup means groups won’t ever play greater than three video games in a row, which suggests a four-man rotation and shortened bullpen ought to work simply advantageous. This was not the case final yr, when each league schedules supplied for 5 straight video games with no journey day, once more due to the compressed timeline. The takeaway right here is similar: rotation depth is much less necessary than it was within the 2022 postseason.
World Collection
No change to the usual World Collection format, which mirrors this yr’s championship collection format: two video games, a journey day, three video games, one other journey day, after which the final two video games. It’s the identical schedule we’re all used to, with all the identical implications for relaxation.
The broad takeaway: the schedule is returning to the rhythm of the playoffs from earlier than final yr (weirdo 2020 season excluded, naturally). Gamers will probably be extra rested, which I’m certain they’re in favor of. Video games are nonetheless staggered to reduce days with out baseball. That’s about it; could one of the best staff win.