MLB Playoff Preview: American League

The MLB playoff bracket is officially set.

The American League side features some familiar faces and some old friends. The Astros, Rays, and Blue Jays all return to the postseason after making it last year. Meanwhile, the Orioles and Rangers are back for the first time since 2016, and the Twins for the first time since 2020.

The #Postseason bracket is set!

Who do you have winning it all? pic.twitter.com/8rkr2Wi48P

— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2023

The Top Two Seeds

The Baltimore Orioles are AL East champions for the first time since 2014.

It has been a historic season for the O’s, with the team propelling themselves not only to a division title, but the No. 1 overall seed in the American League. The Orioles enter the postseason as a top 10 team in batting average, runs scored, slugging percentage, ERA and WHIP. This is a well-rounded team, and while they don’t lead the league in any major categories, the Orioles just simply win games.

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The Houston Astros are making their seventh consecutive playoff appearance.

This organization has become accustomed to playing deep into October, making six straight ALCS appearances, winning four pennants and two World Series titles during this run. The Astros are on the verge of becoming a dynasty, and to some they already are.

Houston enters the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the AL this year, boasting top five numbers in batting average, on-base percentage and runs scored. Another dynamic Astros club will pose a major threat to whoever steps in their way this postseason.

Rays vs Rangers

The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Texas Rangers in a best-of-three Wild Card series.

The two teams have played six games this year, with the Rangers leading the season series 4-2.

We have an opponent (Texas) and game times (3:08pm each day).

Now we just need you.

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 2, 2023

The Rays are dangerous both on the mound and at the plate. They enter the series in the top five in all major pitching categories (ERA, WHIP, home runs allowed, and batting average against). The offense ranks top four in most major hitting categories, including batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and runs scored. Tampa Bay does not have the star power that is evident on many of the other postseason teams, but a great pitching staff and well-rounded offense, along with postseason experience make them a team to watch this October.

The Rangers enter the postseason as an offensive-driven team. They rank top three in all major hitting categories, while sitting in the bottom half of the MLB in ERA and home runs allowed. The pitching staff will have to do enough to keep a hot Rays offense in check.

The Rangers’ offense and Rays’ pitching staff are both great at what they do, making for must-watch baseball when the Rangers are at the plate.

With a close-to-even playing field for these two units, a dynamic Rays offense against a middle-of-the-pack Rangers pitching staff could be the difference in the series.

Expect the Rays to turn to Tyler Glasnow and Zach Eflin in the first two games. Jordan Montgomery is the probable Game 1 starter for the Rangers.

Twins vs Blue Jays

The Minnesota Twins will host the Toronto Blue Jays in the other Wild Card matchup in the AL. The teams have played six times this year, with the season series split at three.

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The Twins won the AL Central, making them the No. 3 seed and the home team for this series, despite having a worse overall record than the Blue Jays.

The Twins are a team that relies on good pitching and the long ball. They rank top six in batting average against, ERA, and WHIP, while ranking third in home runs. Twelve Twins batters have double digit home runs, with power throughout the lineup.

A power-heavy lineup could cause problems for a Blue Jays’ pitching staff that ranks 18th in the MLB in home runs allowed. The Jays are not a top team in many of the major categories at the plate or on the mound, but snuck into the final wild card spot. After getting swept at home by the Mariners in last year’s Wild Card, the Jays will look to advance past the first round of the postseason for the first time since 2016.

Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray are the expected starters in games 1 and 2 for the Twins. The Blue Jays starters are still undecided.

Looking Ahead

The Orioles will play the winner of the Rays and Rangers in the divisional round, for a best-of-five series.

The Astros will get the winner of the Twins and Blue Jays.

The full postseason schedule is listed below.

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