By: ZACHARY JONES / DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Deputy Sports Editor Zachary Jones locks in his picks for the 2023 MLB Postseason.
NLDS
Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2
The Phillies may be the hottest team in baseball right now and have been known in years past to heat up even more when it matters the most. However, it’s going to be difficult to defeat this year’s stacked Braves squad. This very well could be the matchup that decides the World Series.
This series will likely come down to who out-bats who. This is an offensive showcase like no other and both rosters feature some of the best hitters in baseball.
Expect a competitive series where each team shows why they are great. Down the stretch, though, the sheer depth of Atlanta will ultimately put the Braves over the Fightin’ Phils.
Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1
The Dodgers face off against a young and hungry Diamondbacks squad that is eager to impress in their first postseason appearance since 2017. Both teams boast impressive hitters but the Diamondbacks have a slight edge on the pitching side. However, the most notable difference between the two teams is experience and that experience will ultimately trump youth.
The Dodgers have some of the most consistent bats in baseball behind Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Both players are former MVPs and World Series champions, providing unmatched experience to fuel the Dodger offense.
The Diamondbacks can’t compete with the championship experience of Los Angeles. Their best bat this year was rookie Corbin Carroll, who posted a team-high in all major batting categories from stolen bases to OPS.
Experience will be the difference between the two teams and the Dodgers will get through this series with ease.
ALDS
Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 3-1
The Twins are the underdog story of the AL, and it could be their year to make a big push for the World Series. Their pitching is dominant and while their bats aren’t terrific, they have shown the ability to get going and score in bundles.
The key bat for the Twins is, ironically, former Astro, Carlos Correa. Correa has established himself as a force in the playoffs, boasting a .272 batting average with 18 home runs ahead of this year’s Postseason.
However, the Twins’ key to victory is solid performances from their starting rotation. If the Twins can limit the homers from this hard-hitting Astros lineup, they can win.
The Astros are one of the more reliable picks to make the World Series, given they boast star-studded batters with lots of experience. However, the Twins surprised many people by sweeping in the Wild Card round and will continue to surprise on this run.
Baltimore Orioles beat the Texas Rangers 3-2
The Orioles, like many teams in this year's playoffs, are young. However, unlike those other teams, the Orioles won 101 games this year. Their pitching is experienced and their young core plays with fire.
The Rangers looked dominant in the Wild Card series against the Rays but this had a lot to do with the matchup and timing. The Rays had been cold to end the season and it was bound to continue.
The same thing can not be said for the Orioles. The Rangers are fantastic but they have some streaky bats in Adolis Garcia and Josh Jung. If their bats are hot then they could make it happen but if not, it’s the Orioles’ series to lose.
NLCS
Atlanta Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2
This series will be the highly anticipated battle of the NL MVP race. This season saw historic MVP campaigns from both Ronald Acuna Jr. and Mookie Betts, making for an incredibly tight race down the stretch of the season.
Alongside the narrative of the MVP race, the series will also provide a head-to-head matchup between Freddie Freeman and Matt Olsen, as well as the next chapter of the feud between Marcell Ozuna and Will Smith.
This series will be a fan favorite, with e two offensive juggernauts slugging it out for a trip to the World Series. The matchup will be competitive but the Braves will get the job done, likely in six games.
ALCS
Minnesota Twins beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3
The Twins’ glory run will go all the way to the Fall Classic. The pitching of the Twins against the bats of the Orioles is where the game will likely be decided. The offense of the Twins may not be a World Series offense on paper but crazier things have happened.
The Orioles have the talent but they are young and their pitching has some weak spots, due to both injury and experience. With solid pitching, the Twins have an opportunity to expose these weaknesses and advance to their first World Series since 1991.
World Series
Atlanta Braves beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1
The World Series will see the end of Minnesota's Cinderella run in dominant fashion. The pitching unit for the Twins is among the best in the league but nothing can stop the bats of the Braves. There may not be a more complete batting order in 21st-century baseball. Given their incredible lineup, the Braves will dominate the series and capture their second World Series championship in three seasons.
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