The third round of the Major League Baseball Championship Series concluded with four teams playing their hearts out to secure a spot in the coveted World Series matchup.
On Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, the matchups began with two American League teams facing off to earn their spot in the World Series. The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros both looked to represent Texas in the World Series. Yet, only one team would move forward at the chance for a title for their city.
The following day, Oct. 16, the National League matchup began with the Philadelphia Phillies challenging the Arizona Diamondbacks for the other spot in the final round. The Phillies have proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with, while the Diamondbacks were the underdogs of the entire playoffs.
In case you missed the 2023 MLB Championship Series, here is a recap of the matchups.
Texas Rangers (AL 5) vs. Houston Astros (AL 2)
This is the seventh consecutive appearance for the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series. On the contrary, the Texas Rangers’ last appearance in the ALCS was in 2011. The matchup was for Texas fame and proved to be just that.
The Rangers came in hot as the Astros opened up their Championship Series run with their ace, Justin Verlander. However, the Astros were shut out at home to lose Game 1.
According to Sports Insider, MLB teams that win the first game win a series 64.3% of the time (119-66). This put the Texas Rangers in excellent standing; however, underestimating the Houston Astros always proves to be a mistake.
Game 2 proved how talented the Rangers were, as they put up four runs in the first inning against the Astros. Houston attempted to recover, but fell short and dropped Game 2.
Game 3 brought forward Rangers ace Max Scherzer, who has much experience in the postseason. However, the Astros jumped on the Ranger pitcher and put up five runs in the first four innings. The Rangers could not keep up with the hot Astros offense and dropped game three. The series now sat at 2-1, with the Rangers ahead one game.
The Astros’ offense exploded in Game 4 and put up ten runs throughout the game, which triumphed over the measly three runs the Rangers put up. The ALCS was now tied, 2-2.
However, the tie did not last long, and the Astros won the following game 5-4. With the Astros now sitting one win away from yet another World Series appearance, the Rangers now had to fight for their lives, and that is precisely what they did.
Game 6 brought about an explosion from the Rangers team as a whole. The offense put up nine runs, including five in the ninth inning alone. The pitching only allowed two runs, and Game 7 was set for the ALCS.
It was much of the same for Game 7, and the Rangers proved to be a team that nobody should underestimate. The Texas Rangers shut down the Houston Astros bats while also slugging 11 runs in this all-or-nothing game. With this win, the Rangers had clinched their spot in the World Series Championship. This is the third time in franchise history that the Rangers will appear in a World Series.
Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia was named the series MVP after slugging five home runs and driving in 15 Rangers runs. In an interview with Fox 4, shortstop Corey Seager spoke with the press on Garcia’s performance.
“He’s a bad man, isn’t he?” Seager spoke. “To be able to come into this atmosphere and get booed every at-bat and do what he did was really special. It was really fun to watch.”
Arizona Diamondbacks (NL 6) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (NL 4)
The Philadelphia Phillies proved to be a team peaking at the right time. At the same time, the D-Backs were considered the underdogs of the entire postseason. The matchup favored the Phillies; however, Arizona proved to appreciate them.
The Phillies bats came out hot in Game 1, and they put up four runs in the first three innings against Cy Young Award candidate Zac Gallen. The Diamondbacks could not recover from the offense, and Game 1 went to Philadelphia.
Things turned for the worse for the Diamondbacks in Game 2, as they were completely shut out and jumped on by the Phillies offense. The Phillies have established a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series.
Game 3 was incredibly close and remained scoreless until the seventh inning, where both teams put up one run. However, going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte had a walk-off hit that would end the game with an Arizona win. It was much of the same for Game 4, as the Diamondbacks proved to be the comeback team. The series was now tied at two games apiece.
The Philadelphia Phillies looked to regain their once-established lead, and the Diamondbacks looked to push ahead while continuing their forward momentum. However, the Phillies came out victorious in Game 5, 6-1, and the Diamondbacks answered in Game 6, 5-1.
The NLCS had now reached Game 7, and in a significant turn of events, the Arizona Diamondbacks proved victorious over the Phillies. They were triumphant in seven games to move as the National League representative in the World Series Championship.
According to Sporting News, the Diamondbacks had a singular World Series appearance and won in 2001. This will be the first time in 22 years that Arizona is back in the World Series.
The postseason format has earned plenty of criticism from MLB viewers, fans and journalists alike. Moorpark College student Landen Sawyer spoke about his thoughts on the Championship Series and provided his prediction on the World Series Champion.
“I think it’s crazy how two teams that didn’t win their respective divisions are facing each other in the World Series,” Sawyer spoke. “I personally think it’s gonna be a steamroll with the Rangers on top however the D-Backs have taken down some tough teams so it’s definitely going to be an interesting series.”
The World Series matchup is set to begin on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, at 5 p.m., in Arlington, Texas. For more information on the matchup and future games, click here.
