The start of the Wild Card Series in the 2023 MLB postseason is already producing surprises after two underdogs, the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, prevailed in their opening games. The Rangers defeated the highly favored Rays 4:0, while the Diamondbacks played a closer game against the Brewers, and came on top with 6:3.
Things went as expected in the other two games. The Minnesota Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3:1, and the Philadelphia Phillies outscored the Miami Marlins 4:1. It was an eventful opener to the playoffs, but nothing is over, although apps for sports betting are reeling the odds.
Let’s see what kind of a show both conferences offered, and what to expect moving forward in the postseason.
American League Wild Card Games
The Tampa Bay Rays disappointed their home ground, not because they got outplayed by the Rangers, which the 4:0 result suggests, but because of the four sloppy defensive mistakes that ultimately cost them the ball game. Although not being able to score runs was a factor in the loss and a worrying trend. Now the Rangers are a favorite with -240 odds to win the series and are one win away from moving towards the divisional round.
The Blue Jays will have to wait for another day to secure a playoff series win, an achievement they have been struggling to accomplish since 2016. The Minnesota Twins broke their long hiatus and won a postseason game for the first time since 2004. And to make it more impressive, all three runs were homers for a final result of 3:1. The Twins are even more comfortable as the favorite after the win, receiving -360 odds to advance further in the playoffs, while Toronto is barely holding on with +290 odds to win the series.
National League Wild Card Games
In the other conference, Arizona was ready to make things more interesting, winning over the Brewers 6:3. The offensive power of Arizona stems from Christian Walker with 3 home runs and Corbin Carroll who launched the ball out of the park on 2 occasions, But the win would not have come that easy if it wasn’t for the defensive plays of Evan Longoria, and the bullpen stay faces after the third inning, not conceding any homers. The Diamondbacks are not favorite with -265 odds to win their Wild Card Series.
The other duel in the NL went as expected, with the Phillies assuming control of the game early on, and never giving it up. Pitcher Zack Wheeler struck out 8 Marlins batters, and the rest of the bullpen effectively negated any possibility for Miami to score a run. The 4:0 victory only reinforces Philly's position as a favorite with bookmakers with the best free bets online giving them -550 odds to win the series.
Round number two of the Wild Card Series starts tonight October 4, and few trips to the Divisional Series might be validated after two games.
Related
Author
