That’s it, the 12 teams that will take part in the 2023 playoffs are now known.
The Houston Astros were the last to qualify and they could even finish first in their division depending on the results of the games on this last day of activities in the regular schedule.
The champions of the last World Series will participate in the playoffs for a seventh consecutive time. Thanks to veteran Justin Verlander, who was up to the task during this very important match.
The leaders of major baseball were certainly salivating at the idea that several games played today would be decisive for the future, but there are still a few elements to be resolved.
Besides the title race in the American West between the Astros and the Rangers, the opponents of the Twins and the Rays remain to be determined to know which of the Blue Jays, the Astros or the Rangers, if that is the case, will the journey towards these two destinations.
If the Blue Jays, Astros and Rangers all finish the season with a total of 90 wins, the Astros will win the West title while the Rangers would get second place and move ahead of the Jays by virtue of their records. against each other in the regular season (to the advantage of Texas).
The Blue Jays would therefore face the Twins and the Rangers would face the Rays.
For baseball fans in Quebec, this scenario will be optimal, because they would have the opportunity to see Edouard Julien play against the only Canadian team in the Majors.
If, on the contrary, the Rangers are crowned division champions and the Astros and Jays lose their match, John Schneider’s men will go to Tampa Bay and the Astros will travel to Minnesota.
Same observation in the National, while the only issue today will be to confirm which of the Marlins and the Diamondbacks will travel towards Milwaukee and Philadelphia to face the champions of the Central and those who occupy first place in the title of best second.
If the Marlins beat the Pirates again, they will face the Phillies and in the event of a defeat on their part combined with a victory for the Diamondbacks against the Astros, they will go to Milwaukee to cross swords with the Brewers.
One thing is certain, Miami will not have to travel to New York on Monday to finish last Thursday’s unfinished game against the Mets.
The table is set for some interesting matchups today and the Blue Jays will want to end the season on a positive note, having seen the Mariners stumble and thus pave their way to the post-season series.
- Justin Verlander has a 3.31 ERA in 11 starts in Houston in 2023.
- Adam Wainwright sang for the St. Louis crowd.
- Bringing three clubs to the playoffs is a great achievement.
- Clayton Kershaw will undoubtedly be the Dodgers’ go-to man in Game 1.
