The MLB regular season has wound down after a year of resurgence for the league. Heading into the postseason, fans expected to see many of the perennial contenders make a deep run. However, with only four teams remaining, many World Series favorites have been eliminated.
Going into the playoffs, the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers had the highest betting odds to win the World Series. Despite this, four suprise contenders were able to overcome these teams to make it to the semifinal round, called the League Championship Series. Following the upsets of the Divisional Round, the Texas Rangers are matched up with the Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks are against the Philadelphia Phillies.
In the American League, the Texas Rangers feature notable players, including rookies Josh Jung and Evan Carter, along with former Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer. After breezing through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Rangers face the Houston Astros, the reigning World Series champions. The Astros have consistently been in contention, appearing in five straight American League Championship Series. Haunted by a cheating scandal that came to light in 2019, this team is looking to go back to back and, once again, silence their critics.
In the National League, the reigning pennant winners, the Philadelphia Phillies, are led by outfielders Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, who have been major contributors to their playoff success thus far. Shortstop Trea Turner, whom the Phillies acquired in the 2023 offseason, is also a reliable bat from the leadoff spot. The Phillies take on the underdog of the playoffs this year, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Headlined by Ace starting pitcher Zach Gallen and the rookie Corbin Caroll, the Diamondbacks are an exciting team looking to dethrone the defending National League champions.
Despite the unpredictable nature of the postseason so far, favorites have emerged to win the World Series. Heading into the week of Oct. 15th, the Houston Astros have the highest odds of bringing home the title. From a sports betting standpoint, the Astros have a +185 For the World Series, the Phillies have a +200, the Rangers have a +300, and the Diamondbacks have a +480. However, in these playoffs alone, we have seen major upsets, so the remainder of the postseason is very much still up in the air. .
As of Oct. 21st, the Houston Astros have a lead of 3-2, while the Diamondbacks and the Phillies are tied 2-2. The final game of the League Championship Series is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24th, and the World Series will begin on Friday, Oct. 27 and conclude on Saturday, Nov. 4th.
With the Fall classic about to come to an end, the remaining teams want it all. No matter the outcome, it has been a very entertaining season of baseball that will further entice fans for next year.
