We are entering the most exciting part of the year for baseball fans across North America. Twelve teams were trimmed to eight on Wednesday as all four Wild Card Series resulted in two-game sweeps.
The stage is now set for the Division Series as two top-seeded outfits in each league welcome the Wild Card Series winners to an eight-team playoff bracket.
We will cover you with all the significant dates in the remaining part of the season, the full playoffs schedule, our favorite World Series predictions, and where you can find the best odds at sportsbooks in the US.
All American League playoff games will be available on FOX and FS1, while TBS will stream all National League divisional and championship games. The World Series will air on FOX.
- Welcome offer activates if your first bet loses
- Great mobile betting experience
- Variety of betting markets on offer
*Except NY & NV. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Additional terms apply.
MLB Playoffs 2023 Schedule
Division Series (Best-of-Five)
- Baltimore Orioles (AL1) vs. Texas Rangers (AL5): October 7 (Game 1) — October 13 (Game 5*)
- Houston Astros (AL2) vs. Minnesota Twins (AL3): October 7 (Game 1) — October 13 (Game 5*)
- Atlanta Braves (NL1) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (NL4): October 7 (Game 1) — October 14 (Game 5*)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (NL2) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (NL6): October 7 (Game 1) — October 14 (Game 5*)
League Championship Series (Best-of-Seven)
- American League Championship Series: October 15 (Game 1) — October 23 (Game 7*)
- National League Championship Series: October 16 (Game 1) to October 24 (Game 7*)
World Series (Best-of-Seven)
- 2023 World Series: October 27 (Game 1) — November 4 (Game 7*)
Our Prediction — Houston Astros to Win World Series (+450) with BetMGM
The Houston Astros are the reigning champions, and they are looking to become the first team to defend the World Series title since the New York Yankees’ three-peat from 1998 to 2000. The odds do not work in their favor, considering we’ve had more than two decades of teams continuously failing to defend the throne in the strongest baseball league on the planet.
However, these Astros are just not an ordinary team; if anyone can manage such an accomplishment, it’s them. Houston is the genuine king of the AL West. They’ve been to the American League Championship Round in six subsequent years and featured in the World Series in three of the previous four seasons. Is there a need to talk more about consistency?
Despite posting a negative record at home (39-42), the Astros managed to clinch the AL West at the expense of the Texas Rangers, as the two teams ended the regular season with 90 wins each. They’ve ended the campaign with four straight wins to secure a bye in the Wild Card Series, thriving again in crunch time.
Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altruve are Houston’s main offensive weapons, and it seems they’ve peaked just at the right time ahead of the postseason action. In recent weeks, lower-profile hitters Mauricio Dubon and Yainer Diaz have also grown in both form and confidence. No other team in baseball has a lineup with a lower strikeout rate, which says enough about the offensive department.
Things are slightly worrying in the pitching area, but make no mistake, you can expect the likes of Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Bryan Abreu, and company to grow in the playoffs. After all, that’s just what all Astros do in general.
*Click here to back the Astros to win the World Series with BetMGM »*
Other Contenders
In terms of their main obstacles en route to glory, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers stand out in the crowd. The Braves are the sportsbooks’ top World Series candidates at +300 odds. It is easy to see why when you look at their offensive roster featuring Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies, among others.
That said, the quality of Atlanta’s pitching staff is very questionable, as the numbers suggest they are only around the MLB average in this department. When you add the shortest odds of all teams and a tricky Division Series tie against the Phillies, it is very hard to find the value in backing the Braves.
As for the Dodgers, they arguably possess more length on their roster than the Braves, and they’ve had the best record in the league since August 1. The problem we have with them is the lack of trust in their main stars in crunch time, especially if they reach the season finale and meet the defending champions there.
Best Sportsbooks for MLB Bets
The excitement isn’t confined to the field, however. US sportsbooks are running some epic promos and sign-up bonuses. If you are thinking of placing some MLB bets this weekend, we highly recommend checking some of the most generous welcome packages below:
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Click here to claim bonus » |
| BetMGM | Bet $10, Get $200 OR First Bet Offer Up To $1,500 | Click here to claim bonus » |
| BetRivers | $500 2nd Chance Bet | Click here to claim bonus » |
Learn More: What Are the Best MLB Betting Apps for Sports Bettors?
