2023 Major League Baseball postseason

Last updated

2023 Major League Baseball postseason
2023 MLB Postseason logo.svg
Tournament details
DatesOctober 3 – November 1, 2023
Teams12
Final positions
Champions Texas Rangers
(1st title)
Runner-up Arizona Diamondbacks
(2nd World Series appearance)
Tournament statistics
MVP Corey Seager
(TEX)
  2022
2024  

The 2023 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball (MLB) for the 2023 season. The winners of the Wild Card Series faced the two best division winners (seeds) in each league in the Division Series, and the victors advanced to the League Championship Series to determine the pennant winners who played each other in the 2023 World Series. The postseason began on October 3 and ended on November 1. [1] [2]

Contents

In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers returned to the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Houston Astros made their seventh straight postseason appearance and the eighth in the past nine seasons, marking the first time since 2015 that both Texas teams made the postseason. The Minnesota Twins made their fourth postseason appearance in the past seven seasons. The Toronto Blue Jays returned to the postseason for the third time in the past four seasons, and the Tampa Bay Rays returned for the fifth consecutive season.

In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their eleventh straight postseason berth, which is currently the longest active streak in the majors and in professional sports. The Atlanta Braves clinched the best record in the majors and made their sixth straight postseason appearance. The Milwaukee Brewers returned to the postseason for the fifth time in the past six seasons. The Miami Marlins returned to the postseason for the second time in the past four seasons. The Philadelphia Phillies made their second straight postseason appearance, and the Arizona Diamondbacks returned for the first time since 2017.

The only division winner to advance to the League Championship Series were the Houston Astros (AL West), following the defeat of the Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in a sweep, in the Wild Card Series, then the defeats of the Minnesota Twins (AL Central) by the Houston Astros in four games, Baltimore Orioles (AL East) by the Texas Rangers in a sweep, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in a sweep, and the Atlanta Braves (NL East) by the Philadelphia Phillies in four games, in the Division Series. This also means that it was the first time in Major League Baseball postseason history that the last four remaining teams in the League Championship Series had 90 or fewer regular season wins. [3]

The postseason began on October 3 and ended on November 1, with the Rangers defeating the Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series to clinch their first title in franchise history.

Teams

The three division winners in each league and the top three non-division winners in each league qualified for the playoffs. The top two division winners receive byes to the American League Division Series (ALDS) or National League Division Series (NLDS) while the other teams who qualify for the playoffs play in the wild card series.

Blue pog.svg American League Teams Red pog.svg National League Teams

The following teams qualified for the postseason:

American League

  1. Baltimore OriolesAL East champions, AL best record 101–61 [4] [5]
  2. Houston AstrosAL West champions, 90–72 (9–4 head-to-head vs. TEX) [6] [7]
  3. Minnesota TwinsAL Central champions, 87–75 [8] [9] [10]
  4. Tampa Bay Rays – 99–63 [11] [5]
  5. Texas Rangers – 90–72 (4–9 head-to-head vs. HOU) [12] [13]
  6. Toronto Blue Jays – 89–73 [14]

National League

  1. Atlanta BravesNL East champions, NL best record, MLB best record, 104–58 [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
  2. Los Angeles DodgersNL West champions, 100–62 [21] [22] [23] [18]
  3. Milwaukee BrewersNL Central champions, 92–70 [24] [25] [26]
  4. Philadelphia Phillies – 90–72 [27]
  5. Miami Marlins – 84–78 (4–2 head-to-head vs. ARI) [28]
  6. Arizona Diamondbacks – 84–78 (2–4 head-to-head vs. MIA) [29]

Playoff bracket

Wild Card Series
(ALWCS, NLWCS)
Division Series
(ALDS, NLDS)
Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)
World Series
1 Baltimore0
4 Tampa Bay0 5Texas3
5Texas2 American League 5 Texas4
2 Houston3
2Houston3
3Minnesota23 Minnesota1
6 Toronto0 AL5 Texas4
NL6 Arizona1
1 Atlanta1
4Philadelphia24 Philadelphia3
5 Miami0 National League 4 Philadelphia3
6 Arizona4
2 LA Dodgers0
3 Milwaukee0 6Arizona3
6Arizona2

American League Wild Card Series

(3) Minnesota Twins vs. (6) Toronto Blue Jays

Minnesota won the series, 2–0.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 3Toronto Blue Jays – 1, Minnesota Twins – 3 Target Field 2:4038,450 [30]  
2October 4Toronto Blue Jays – 0, Minnesota Twins – 2Target Field2:5138,518 [31]

This was the second postseason meeting between the Blue Jays and Twins. They last met in the 1991 ALCS, which was won by the Twins en route to a World Series title. [32] Minnesota ended 21 years of futility, sweeping Toronto to win their first playoff series since 2002. It also marked the end of their long streak of playoff game losses, which stood at 18 consecutive losses, the longest in North American sports history. [33]

The Twins' streak of 18 consecutive playoff game losses was ended in Game 1, as Royce Lewis hit two home runs in his first two at-bats to lead the Twins to a 3–1 victory. It was the Twins' first playoff game win since Game 1 of the 2004 ALDS against the New York Yankees. In Game 2, Sonny Gray out-dueled Toronto's José Berríos and Yusei Kikuchi as the Twins won in a 2–0 shutout to win their first playoff series in 21 years.

While the Blue Jays were the sixth seed, the series result was considered an upset as the Blue Jays (89–73) finished with a better record than the Twins (87–75). Toronto was awarded the sixth seed under the new playoff format, which guarantees division winners a top-3 seed.

(4) Tampa Bay Rays vs. (5) Texas Rangers

Texas won the series, 2–0.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 3Texas Rangers – 4, Tampa Bay Rays – 0 Tropicana Field 2:4119,704 [34]  
2October 4Texas Rangers – 7, Tampa Bay Rays – 1Tropicana Field2:3920,198 [35]

This was the third postseason meeting between the Rays and Rangers. The previous two meetings (2010 and 2011) were won by the Rangers. [36] The Rangers swept the Rays to advance to the ALDS for the first time since 2016.

The Rangers held the Rays to one run scored in the series. Jordan Montgomery pitched seven shutout innings as the Rangers took Game 1 by a 4–0 score. Game 1 was notable for several stats – the Rays committed four errors, setting a single-game playoff franchise record and the most in a postseason game since the New York Yankees committed four errors in Game 4 of the 2019 ALCS. [37] [38] It was also notable for the record low attendance at Tropicana Field, as there was only 19,704 in attendance – the lowest attended postseason game (non-COVID-19 year) since Game 7 of the 1919 World Series. [39] Nathan Eovaldi pitched a solid 623 innings in Game 2 as the Rangers blew out the Rays by a 7–1 score to complete the sweep and advance.

With the win, the Rangers improved their postseason record against the Rays to 3–0, previously winning in 2010 and 2011.

National League Wild Card Series

(3) Milwaukee Brewers vs. (6) Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona won the series, 2–0.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 3Arizona Diamondbacks – 6, Milwaukee Brewers – 3 American Family Field 3:3640,892 [40]  
2October 4Arizona Diamondbacks – 5, Milwaukee Brewers – 2American Family Field2:5841,166 [41]

This was the second postseason meeting between the Brewers and Diamondbacks. They previously met in the 2011 NLDS, which was won by the Brewers in five games. The Diamondbacks upset the Brewers in a sweep, returning to the NLDS for the first time since 2017. [42]

The Diamondbacks stunned the Brewers with a come-from-behind victory in Game 1 – the Brewers led 3–0 after the first two innings, until Arizona's Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Gabriel Moreno all hit home runs across the top of the third and fourth innings to put the Diamondbacks in the lead for good. In Game 2, the Brewers again jumped out to an early lead and had a no-hit bid going into the top of the fifth, until Arizona's Alek Thomas hit a solo home run to end it. Then the Diamondbacks rallied to win again, as Carroll doubled and Marte hit a two-RBI single to put Arizona in the lead, and then a wild pitch and then a blooper scored the next two runs.

(4) Philadelphia Phillies vs. (5) Miami Marlins

Philadelphia won the series, 2–0.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 3Miami Marlins – 1, Philadelphia Phillies – 4 Citizens Bank Park 2:4645,662 [43]  
2October 4Miami Marlins – 1, Philadelphia Phillies – 7Citizens Bank Park2:3645,738 [44]

This was the first postseason meeting between the Marlins and Phillies. The Phillies swept the Marlins to advance to the NLDS for the second year in a row.

The Phillies’ pitching staff held the Marlins’ offense to one run scored in both games. Zack Wheeler gave up one run and struck out eight Marlins over 623 strong innings as the Phillies won 4–1 in Game 1. Aaron Nola pitched seven strong innings in Game 2 as the Phillies blew out the Marlins by a 7–1 score, capped off by Bryson Stott's grand slam in the bottom of the sixth.

American League Division Series

(1) Baltimore Orioles vs. (5) Texas Rangers

Texas won the series, 3–0.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 7Texas Rangers – 3, Baltimore Orioles – 2 Oriole Park at Camden Yards 3:09 (1:12 delay)46,450 [45]  
2October 8Texas Rangers – 11, Baltimore Orioles – 8Oriole Park at Camden Yards3:4546,475 [46]  
3October 10Baltimore Orioles – 1, Texas Rangers – 7 Globe Life Field 2:4840,861 [47]

This was the second postseason meeting between the Orioles and Rangers. They last met in the 2012 AL Wild Card Game, which was won by the Orioles. The Rangers upset the heavily favored Orioles in a sweep, returning to the ALCS for the first time since 2011.

The Rangers held off a late push by the Orioles to take Game 1 on the road, capped off by Josh Jung's solo home run in the top of the sixth. Game 2 was an offensive slugfest which the Rangers won 11–8, in part thanks to a third-inning grand slam hit by Mitch Garver. Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven solid innings in Game 3 as the Rangers blew out the Orioles by a 7–1 score to complete the sweep.

(2) Houston Astros vs. (3) Minnesota Twins

Houston won the series, 3–1.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 7Minnesota Twins – 4, Houston Astros – 6 Minute Maid Park 2:5843,024 [48]  
2October 8Minnesota Twins – 6, Houston Astros – 2Minute Maid Park3:0943,017 [49]  
3October 10Houston Astros – 9, Minnesota Twins – 1 Target Field 3:1041,017 [50]  
4October 11Houston Astros – 3, Minnesota Twins – 2Target Field2:3840,977 [51]

This was the second postseason meeting between the Astros and Twins. They last met in the 2020 AL Wild Card Series, which was won by the Astros in a two-game sweep. The Astros once again defeated the Twins, this time in four games, to return to the ALCS for the seventh year in a row.

The Astros held on to win Game 1 by a 6–4 score, as their bullpen held off a late rally by the Twins. Game 1 was notable for Justin Verlander's six shutout innings pitched for the sixth scoreless start of his postseason career, tying Madison Bumgarner and Tom Glavine for most all-time. [52] In Game 2, Pablo López pitched seven solid innings for the Twins, as they jumped out to a big lead early and didn't relinquish it, winning 6–2 to even the series headed to Minneapolis. Game 2 marked the end of the Astros' 12-game home winning streak in the ALDS, and it was also their first loss in Game 2 of the LDS since the second game of the 2015 ALDS against the Kansas City Royals. [53] Cristian Javier pitched five scoreless innings in Game 3 as the Astros blew out the Twins by a 9–1 score to regain the series lead. In Game 4, the Astros held off a late rally by the Twins to win by a 3–2 score and return to the ALCS.

This marked the seventh consecutive loss for the Twins in the ALDS, as they previously lost in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2019. Their most recent ALDS series win came in 2002, where they defeated the Oakland Athletics in five games before falling in the ALCS to the then-Anaheim Angels.

National League Division Series

(1) Atlanta Braves vs. (4) Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia won the series, 3–1.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 7Philadelphia Phillies – 3, Atlanta Braves – 0 Truist Park 3:0343,689 [54]  
2October 9Philadelphia Phillies – 4, Atlanta Braves – 5Truist Park3:0843,898 [55]  
3October 11Atlanta Braves – 2, Philadelphia Phillies – 10 Citizens Bank Park 3:1945,798 [56]  
4October 12Atlanta Braves – 1, Philadelphia Phillies – 3Citizens Bank Park3:0845,831 [57]

This was the third postseason meeting between the Braves and the Phillies. They previously met in the 1993 NLCS and 2022 NLDS, both of which were won by the Phillies. This series was a rematch of last year's NLDS, which the Phillies won in four games. The Phillies once again defeated the Braves in four games to return to the NLCS for the second consecutive season.

The outcome of this series was nearly identical to the previous year's match. The Phillies stole Game 1 on the road in a 3–0 shutout. In Game 2, the Braves overcame a late deficit in the seventh and eighth innings to even the series, thanks to a pair of two-run home runs from Travis d'Arnaud and Austin Riley. However, when the series shifted to Philadelphia, things again got ugly for the Braves. The Phillies blew out the Braves by a 10–2 score in Game 3, thanks to multiple home runs from Nick Castellanos, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Brandon Marsh. Castellanos and Turner both homered again for the Phillies in Game 4 as they held on to win by a 3–1 score.

With the win, the Phillies improved their postseason record against the Braves to 3–0, previously winning in 1993 and 2022.

(2) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (6) Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona won the series, 3–0.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 7Arizona Diamondbacks – 11, Los Angeles Dodgers – 2 Dodger Stadium 3:0451,653 [58]  
2October 9Arizona Diamondbacks – 4, Los Angeles Dodgers – 2Dodger Stadium3:1151,449 [59]  
3October 11Los Angeles Dodgers – 2, Arizona Diamondbacks – 4 Chase Field 2:5048,175 [60]

This was the second postseason meeting between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. They previously met in the 2017 NLDS, which was won by the Dodgers in a sweep.

In a significant upset given their regular season win differential, the 84-win Diamondbacks swept the 100-win Dodgers, reaching the NLCS for the first time since 2007. This series was a reverse of the 2017 NLDS, where the Dodgers swept the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks jumped out to a big lead in the top of the first, as their first five batters scored, highlighted by a three-run home run from Gabriel Moreno. The Dodgers' ace Clayton Kershaw was pulled after giving up an RBI double to Evan Longoria, which extended Arizona's lead to 6–0. Game 1 was the shortest start of Kershaw's career, as he recorded just one out. [61] The Diamondbacks blew out the Dodgers by an 11–2 score to steal Game 1 on the road. In Game 2, the Diamondbacks again jumped out to a big early lead and held off a late rally by the Dodgers to win 4–2, capped off by an insurance home run by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the top of the sixth. When the series shifted to Phoenix, the Diamondbacks once again jumped out to a 4–0 lead early, thanks to four solo home runs from Moreno, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, and Christian Walker respectively. The 2023 Diamondbacks became the first team in postseason history to hit four home runs in a single inning. [62] The Diamondbacks would hold on to win by a 4–2 score, completing an improbable upset.

American League Championship Series

(2) Houston Astros vs. (5) Texas Rangers

Texas won the series, 4–3.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 15Texas Rangers – 2, Houston Astros – 0 Minute Maid Park 2:4942,872 [63]  
2October 16Texas Rangers – 5, Houston Astros – 4Minute Maid Park3:0142,879 [64]  
3October 18Houston Astros – 8, Texas Rangers – 5 Globe Life Field 3:0542,368 [65]  
4October 19Houston Astros – 10, Texas Rangers – 3Globe Life Field3:1442,060 [66]  
5October 20Houston Astros – 5, Texas Rangers – 4Globe Life Field3:1441,519 [67]  
6October 22Texas Rangers – 9, Houston Astros – 2Minute Maid Park3:0742,638 [68]  
7October 23Texas Rangers – 11, Houston Astros – 4Minute Maid Park3:2042,814 [69]

This was the first postseason meeting in the history of the Rangers–Astros rivalry, and the first ever LCS to feature two teams from the same state. This was the seventh straight ALCS appearance for the Astros, dating back to 2017. Despite blowing a 2–0 series lead, the Rangers held on to defeat the defending World Series champion Astros in seven games to return to the World Series for the first time since 2011.

Jordan Montgomery and the Rangers' bullpen shut down the Astros offense in Game 1 as they prevailed in a 2–0 shutout. Game 2 would also go the Rangers' way, as despite Yordan Álvarez's efforts to erase their lead, they would hold on by one run to take a 2–0 series lead back to Arlington. Things would then take a turn for the worst for the Rangers in Game 3. Max Scherzer had one of his worst postseason starts, as he gave up four runs across the second and third innings in an 8–5 Astros win. The Astros then blew out the Rangers in Game 4 to even the series at two. Game 4 was notable for being José Altuve's 100th career postseason game. In Game 5, the Rangers had a two-run lead going into the ninth, until Altuve hit a three-run home run that put the Astros ahead for good and gave them a 3–2 series lead headed back to Houston, putting the Astros one win away from a third straight World Series appearance. However, their lead would not hold going back home. Adolis García, Mitch Garver, and Jonah Heim all hit home runs in Game 6 as the Rangers blew out the Astros to force a seventh game, capped off by García's grand slam in the top of the ninth inning. In the Rangers' first-ever ALCS Game 7, García once again took center stage, as he along with Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe blew out the Astros again and secured the pennant.

With the win, the Rangers improved their record in the ALCS to 3–0, previously winning in 2010 and 2011. They also became the second fifth-seeded team in MLB history to reach the World Series, joining the 2014 San Francisco Giants, who were also managed by Bruce Bochy.

National League Championship Series

(4) Philadelphia Phillies vs. (6) Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona won the series, 4–3.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 16Arizona Diamondbacks – 3, Philadelphia Phillies – 5 Citizens Bank Park 2:4245,396 [70]  
2October 17Arizona Diamondbacks – 0, Philadelphia Phillies – 10Citizens Bank Park3:0645,412 [71]  
3October 19Philadelphia Phillies – 1, Arizona Diamondbacks – 2 Chase Field 2:4947,075 [72]  
4October 20Philadelphia Phillies – 5, Arizona Diamondbacks – 6Chase Field3:2747,806 [73]  
5October 21Philadelphia Phillies – 6, Arizona Diamondbacks – 1Chase Field2:5247,897 [74]  
6October 23Arizona Diamondbacks – 5, Philadelphia Phillies – 1Citizens Bank Park3:0245,473 [75]  
7October 24Arizona Diamondbacks – 4, Philadelphia Phillies – 2Citizens Bank Park3:1345,397 [76]

This was the first postseason meeting between the Phillies and the Diamondbacks. This was also the second straight NLCS to feature two wild-card teams. Since 2022 when the postseason got expanded, the only lower-seeded League Championship Series played was the 2022 NLCS (between the fifth and sixth seeds). The Diamondbacks overcame both a 2–0 and 3–2 series deficit to defeat the defending National League champion Phillies and return to the World Series for the first time since 2001.

In Game 1, the Phillies chased Arizona starter Zac Gallen from the mound early, and held off a late rally by the Diamondbacks to win 5–3. The Phillies then blew out the Diamondbacks in Game 2 to take a 2–0 series lead headed to Phoenix. The Diamondbacks got on the board in the series in a 2–1 victory in Game 3, thanks to a walk-off single by Ketel Marte. Alek Thomas and Gabriel Moreno would help the Diamondbacks come from behind in the bottom of the eighth inning to even the series at two. However, the Phillies regained the series lead in Game 5 with a 6–1 victory as Zach Wheeler pitched seven solid innings, giving up only one earned run. Back in Philadelphia for Game 6, the Diamondbacks, thanks to consecutive home runs from Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., as well as an RBI double from Evan Longoria, jumped out to a big lead early and didn't relinquish it, winning 5–1 to force a seventh game. In Game 7, the Phillies took an early lead thanks to an RBI double from Bryson Stott. Then, Corbin Carroll hit an RBI single to tie the game at two. It was followed by another RBI single from Moreno, which gave the Diamondbacks a lead they would not relinquish, as they won 4–2 to clinch the pennant.

2023 World Series

(AL5) Texas Rangers vs. (NL6) Arizona Diamondbacks

Texas won the series, 4–1.

GameDateScoreLocationTimeAttendance 
1October 27Arizona Diamondbacks – 5, Texas Rangers – 6 (11) Globe Life Field 4:0242,472 [77]  
2October 28Arizona Diamondbacks – 9, Texas Rangers – 1Globe Life Field2:5942,500 [78]  
3October 30Texas Rangers – 3, Arizona Diamondbacks – 1 Chase Field 2:5148,517 [79]  
4October 31Texas Rangers – 11, Arizona Diamondbacks – 7Chase Field3:1848,388 [80]  
5November 1Texas Rangers – 5, Arizona Diamondbacks – 0Chase Field2:5448,511 [81]

This was the first World Series since 2016 to not feature the Houston Astros or Los Angeles Dodgers.

This was the first World Series to be played entirely in the American Southwest, and the third World Series to feature two expansion teams (2015, 2019). It is also significant as this World Series features both the oldest and youngest expansion teams in the league the Rangers were added to the league in 1961 (as the Washington Senators), while the Diamondbacks joined the league in 1998.

This was the third World Series appearance for the Rangers. They last made it in 2011, where they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games after being one strike away from winning the championship twice. This was the second appearance for the Diamondbacks, who won in their previous appearance in 2001 against the New York Yankees in seven games. The Rangers defeated the Diamondbacks in five games to win their first championship in franchise history, ending the longest championship drought among expansion teams in the MLB.

In Game 1, the Diamondbacks led 5–3 going into the bottom of the ninth, until Corey Seager hit a two-run home run to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Adolis García hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the eleventh to win the game for the Rangers. Merrill Kelly pitched seven solid innings for the Diamondbacks in Game 2 as they blew out the Rangers to even the series headed to Phoenix. Marcus Semien’s RBI single and another two-run home run from Seager carried the Rangers to victory in Game 3 to regain the series lead. Game 4 was once again controlled by the Rangers, as they put up 10 runs across the second and third innings, with Seager, Semien, and Jonah Heim all hitting home runs. Despite the Diamondbacks cutting their lead to four in the bottom of the ninth, the Rangers won 11–7 to take a 3–1 series lead. Game 5 started out as a pitcher’s duel between Arizona’s Zac Gallen and Texas’ Nathan Eovaldi. Gallen pitched a no-hitter through six innings, until it was broken up by a base hit from Seager. Mitch Garver drove in Seager with an RBI single to put the Rangers in the lead for good, which was then capped off by a series-sealing two-run home run in the ninth by Semien off closer Paul Sewald.

The Rangers became the second fifth-seeded team to win the World Series, joining the 2014 San Francisco Giants, who were also managed by Bruce Bochy. It is also the second consecutive World Series won by a team from Texas, after the Houston Astros did so the previous year. This was the first championship of the four major North American sports leagues won by a team from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 2011, when the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA championship. Bruce Bochy became the first manager to win a World Series with a team he had previously defeated to win a World Series.

Broadcasting

Television coverage

Coverage of the four Wild Card Series was produced by ESPN. ABC aired the Texas–Tampa Bay series, ESPN televised both the Toronto–Minnesota and Miami–Philadelphia series, and ESPN2 had the Arizona–Milwaukee series. [82]

Both the National League Division Series and the National League Championship Series were on TBS. [83] TruTV simulcasted all games in the NLDS and aired a Hispanic focused alternative telecast of the NLCS called Peloteros. [83] [84]

Fox Sports had coverage of the American League Division Series and American League Championship Series. [85] The ALDS games primarily aired on FS1, with the Fox broadcast network televising Game 3 of both series. For the ALCS, Game 1 aired only on the Fox broadcast network, Game 2 and 7 were Fox/FS1 simulcasts, and Games 3 to 6 was only on FS1. [86] And then The World Series aired on the Fox broadcast network for the 24th consecutive year. [85]

Spanish language broadcasts was available on ESPN Deportes for ESPN's games, Fox Deportes for Fox Sports' games, and MLB Network for TBS's games. [82] [83] [85]

Streaming

TBS's games were available on the streaming service Max's new Bleacher Report Sports Add-on tier which launched on October 5. [87] ESPN, TBS and Fox's games were streamed on their respective apps. [82] [85]

Radio

ESPN Radio aired the entire Major League Baseball postseason. [88]

Most watched playoff games

RankRoundDateGameAway teamScoreHome teamNetworkViewers (millions)TV rating
1 World Series November 1Game 5 Rangers 5–0 Diamondbacks Fox 11.456.0
2 World Series October 27Game 1 Diamondbacks 5–6 (11) Rangers Fox 9.174.6
3 NLCS October 24Game 7 Diamondbacks 4–2 Phillies TBS 8.894.7
4 World Series October 31Game 4 Rangers 11–7 Diamondbacks Fox 8.484.5
5 World Series October 28Game 2 Diamondbacks 9–1 Rangers Fox 8.154.0
6 World Series October 30Game 3 Rangers 3–1 Diamondbacks Fox 8.134.2
7 ALCS October 15Game 1 Rangers 2–0 Astros Fox 7.023.7
8 ALCS October 23Game 7 Rangers 11–4 Astros Fox & FS1 6.773.5
9 NLCS October 20Game 4 Phillies 5–6 Diamondbacks TBS 5.392.7
10 NLDS October 12Game 4 Braves 1–3 Phillies TBS 5.342.8

Sources: [89] [90] [91] [92] [93] [94] [95] [96] [97] [98]

*Note: All TBS figures on this page include Max streaming viewing.

Notes

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    The 2019 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball for the 2019 season. The winners of the League Division Series would move on to the League Championship Series to determine the pennant winners that face each other in the World Series.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Major League Baseball postseason</span> 2022 Major League Baseball playoffs

    The 2022 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament of Major League Baseball (MLB) for the 2022 season. This was the first edition of the postseason since 2012 to have a new format, as it has been expanded to include six teams per league. The top two division winners of the American and National leagues receive first-round byes into the Division Series, and the worst-division winner is the third seed in their respective league. The three Wild Card teams are the fourth, fifth, and sixth seeds. The third seed hosts the sixth seed, and the fourth seed does the same with the fifth seed in the best-of-three Wild Card series. The postseason started on Friday, October 7, two days after the end of the regular season.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 National League Division Series</span>

    The 2022 National League Division Series (NLDS) were the two best-of-five playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2022 National League Championship Series (NLCS). These matchups were:

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 American League Division Series</span>

    The 2022 American League Division Series (ALDS) were the two best-of-five playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2022 American League Championship Series. These matchups are:

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 American League Wild Card Series</span>

    The 2023 American League Wild Card Series were the two best-of-three playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) that determined the participating teams of the 2023 American League Division Series (ALDS). Both Wild Card Series began on October 3, with Game 2s scheduled for October 4. ESPN broadcast both Wild Card Series in the United States together with ESPN Radio while Sportsnet broadcast the Minnesota Twins vs. Toronto Blue Jays series in Canada.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 National League Wild Card Series</span>

    The 2023 National League Wild Card Series were the two best-of-three playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2023 National League Division Series (NLDS). Both Wild Card Series began on October 3, with Game 2s scheduled for October 4. ESPN broadcast both Wild Card Series in the United States together with ESPN Radio.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 National League Division Series</span>

    The 2023 National League Division Series (NLDS) were the two best-of-five playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) that determined the participating teams of the 2023 National League Championship Series (NLCS). These matchups were:

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 American League Division Series</span> Baseball competition

    The 2023 American League Division Series (ALDS) were the two best-of-five playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2023 American League Championship Series (ALCS). These matchups were:

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