Which group will win the 2023 World Sequence? Twelve groups have an opportunity and the assumption to match. Whereas the Astros need to repeat, golf equipment such because the Rangers and the Rays can dream of hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy for the primary time.
As we prepared for the at all times unpredictable postseason, we requested the beat reporters for every of the playoff groups to offer one cause why the membership they cowl can win all of it. Here’s what they mentioned.
ORIOLES: The O’s have a stable all-around roster — a lineup headlined by two of baseball’s rising stars (Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman), a rotation anchored by two burgeoning aces (Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez) and a bullpen with loads of high quality arms. However the principle cause why the O’s may win all of it is their means to shortly bounce again from losses. They haven’t been swept in 91 consecutive multi-game collection (courting again to Might 2022), and so they have by no means dropped greater than 4 straight video games in 2023. Maybe no group is healthier at responding to adversity. — Jake Rill
RAYS: The Rays’ rotation has been decimated by accidents to Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen, however they nonetheless have loads of gifted pitching, beginning with Zach Eflin and Tyler Glasnow. And their bullpen, as ordinary, is deep and dominant, able to shortening video games with some mixture of Pete Fairbanks, Robert Stephenson, Colin Poche, Shawn Armstrong and Jason Adam (if wholesome), amongst others. If the Rays can get simply sufficient offense from the likes of Yandy Díaz, Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes, Josh Lowe and Harold Ramírez, they’ll have an opportunity regardless of the accidents which have dramatically reshaped their roster. — Adam Berry
BLUE JAYS: You’ll hear loads of groups speaking the discuss “pitching and protection” at the moment of 12 months. The Blue Jays can stroll the stroll. With considered one of baseball’s finest rotations, an excellent bullpen and robust protection, Toronto has a rock-solid basis and are well-equipped to win the tight, low-scoring video games that so typically resolve the largest video games within the postseason. It’s taken some time to work, however you’re lastly seeing why the Blue Jays rebranded from a hit-first group to a extra full one over the previous 12 months. It was all for October. — Keegan Matheson
TWINS: For as soon as, the Twins have the pitching. From Pablo López atop the rotation to Jhoan Duran on the again finish of the bullpen, that is undeniably the deepest employees that supervisor Rocco Baldelli has taken into October, due to a late burst of well being. And with the rookies carrying the lineup, the Twins are peaking on the proper time, rating seventh within the Majors in pitching WAR (per FanGraphs) and first in batting WAR in September. Roster-wise, it is a very completely different — and stronger — Twins group than the one which treaded water within the AL Central for a lot of the season. — Do-Hyoung Park
ASTROS: The Astros have performed in 92 playoff video games for the reason that begin of the 2015 season, which is greater than every other MLB group. That have can be enormous in October. Alex Bregman has performed in every of these 92 postseason video games, Jose Altuve 86, Martín Maldonado 54, Kyle Tucker 51 and Yordan Alvarez 47. Jeremy Peña was the ALCS and World Sequence MVP final 12 months. No second can be too massive for the Astros. The offense is nice sufficient and the bullpen is stable, however they’ll should get their beginning pitching again in line. — Brian McTaggart
RANGERS: The offense can compete with anyone in baseball. From an AL MVP candidate in Corey Seager to a streaky Adolis García and the elite catching duo of Jonah Heim and Mitch Garver, the Rangers have put collectively the most effective offense within the American League, which leads the league in all three triple slash classes. Texas is also tied with the Twins for the lead in dwelling runs amongst AL groups this season and tied for third in MLB. Whereas the bullpen has been traditionally shaky and the rotation has been injury-riddled, the offense has possessed a capability all season lengthy to interrupt by means of at any second. — Kennedi Landry
BRAVES: Ronald Acuña Jr. isn’t the one Braves participant with nice energy and velocity. Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II and even Austin Riley have the power to beat opponents with the lengthy ball and take an additional base when mandatory. That is the most effective offense the Braves have ever possessed, and it might be remembered as the best group in franchise historical past, particularly if Max Fried and Spencer Strider pitch to expectations all through the postseason. The high-leverage choices on this bullpen kind a extra succesful group than The Evening Shift, the group of relievers who helped Atlanta win the 2021 World Sequence. — Mark Bowman
PHILLIES: The Phillies pose a number of challenges for any group within the postseason. First, they’ve a lineup that has been considered one of baseball’s finest for months. Merely put, the celebrities are taking part in like stars. That group contains Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto. Much less skilled gamers like Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas have taken steps ahead, making the Phillies a tricky out from one by means of 9. Philadelphia has 5 legit beginning pitchers getting into the postseason, led by Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. The bullpen has additionally been a power this season, led by Craig Kimbrel and José Alvarado. — Todd Zolecki
MARLINS: The 2 earlier instances the Marlins made the postseason in a full season, they gained all of it. Want we are saying extra? Throw every thing out the window as soon as October baseball begins. Something may occur, as Ellie Goulding as soon as sang. In addition to, no person anticipated Miami to be on this place to start with. Tanner Scott has developed into considered one of MLB’s premier late-inning relievers, and Jake Burger and Josh Bell have added much-needed thump to the lineup. Even with out ace Sandy Alcantara, Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera make for a tricky matchup. — Christina De Nicola
BREWERS: The Brewers misplaced Brandon Woodruff on the eve of the postseason however nonetheless have a pair of All-Stars in Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta to start out video games. They’ve Devin Williams ready on the finish of video games. They usually have considered one of baseball’s finest defenses after rating second within the Majors in defensive runs saved. If they’ll rating just a bit bit, the Brewers have the roster to go all the best way. For a lot of the season, that was an enormous “if,” however the Commerce Deadline additions of Mark Canha and Carlos Santana plus the Aug. 31 pickup of power-hitting Josh Donaldson have “remodeled” the offense, as supervisor Craig Counsell sees it, right into a unit able to scoring sufficient to win. — Adam McCalvy
DODGERS: The Dodgers have their flaws, particularly with their beginning pitching, however they go into the postseason with a bonus that no different group has: Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman atop the lineup. Betts and Freeman are two of the most effective gamers within the Majors and are nicely on their approach to placing collectively seemingly Corridor of Fame careers. The dynamic duo has been a nightmare for opposing pitchers all season, and there’s no cause to assume that gained’t proceed within the postseason. Betts and Freeman will want some assist from the supporting solid, but when each gamers get red-hot for a month, the Dodgers can be an extremely powerful out. — Juan Toribio
D-BACKS: The D-backs have two starters who can evaluate with any within the sport in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, and when they’re on, they’ll dominate a lineup. The again finish of the bullpen was a weak spot early within the season, however the D-backs corrected that on the Commerce Deadline by choosing up nearer Paul Sewald. Kevin Ginkel has additionally was an excellent setup man. Offensively, Arizona has large group velocity, which places stress on opposing defenses. After they get on, the D-backs run the bases aggressively and might manufacture runs with the most effective of them. — Steve Gilbert