Almost 7 months since the MLB season began, just 4 teams remain in the race to win the 2023 World Series. However, in order to reach this year’s Fall Classic, each side will have to negotiate one final hurdle – the Championship Series.
Effectively the semifinal stage of the postseason, the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and National League Championship Series (NLCS) see the best performing teams from each league battle it out for the league pennant, and the chance to play in the World Series. With the Commissioner’s Trophy and baseball immortality on the line, every game from now until the end of the playoffs will be vital.
Here’s a quick look at how MLB’s thrilling season conclusion is shaping up:
ALCS: Houston Astros v Texas Rangers
2023’s American League Championship Series is not just about earning a World Series berth, it is also a grudge match. Both the Astros and the Rangers occupy a place in the AL West, and the team from Houston pipped their North Texas rivals to the division title on the final day of the regular season. Now with a chance for revenge, the Rangers will hope to overcome their fellow Texans and advance to the Fall Classic. Meanwhile, the Astros are MLB’s defending champions and will be determined to become the first team to win back-to-back World Series since the year 2000. After 2 games, the Rangers hold a 2–0 lead over the Astros in this, the most high-stakes battle of the Lone Star State for decades!
- Game 3 (18 Oct) · Globe Life Field, Arlington
- Game 4 (19 Oct) · Globe Life Field, Arlington
- Game 5 (20 Oct) · Globe Life Field, Arlington
- Game 6 (22 Oct) · Minute Maid Park, Houston
- Game 7 (23 Oct) · Minute Maid Park, Houston
NLCS: Philadelphia Phillies v Arizona Diamondbacks
The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks entered the MLB Postseason as the National League’s #4 and #6 seeds respectively. Both sides have gone on to eliminate major teams in the shape of the LA Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, and enjoy enormous momentum heading into the Championship Series. For the Phillies, the chance to atone for a 4–2 loss in the 2022 World Series is on the line, while the Diamondbacks enter the NLCS as a fearless and formidable underdog looking to take home the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time since 2001. After a victory on Tuesday, the Phillies lead the series 2–0.
- Game 3 (19 Oct) · Chase Field, Phoenix
- Game 4 (20 Oct) · Chase Field, Phoenix
- Game 5 (21 Oct) · Chase Field, Phoenix
- Game 6 (23 Oct) · Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
- Game 7 (24 Oct) · Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
World Series
Once all is said and done in the Championship Series, 2 of the remaining 4 teams will meet in MLB’s season-ending showcase: the World Series. Home advantage for the Fall Classic will go to the side with the highest regular season win percentage. Both the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros would gain this advantage (the Rangers had the same regular season win percentage as the Phillies but hold a superior head-to-head record), meaning the World Series will operate in the following way:
- Game 1 (27 Oct) · Astros/Rangers home game
- Game 2 (28 Oct) · Astros/Rangers home game
- Game 3 (30 Oct) · Phillies/D-Backs home game
- Game 4 (31 Oct) · Phillies/D-Backs home game
- Game 5 (1 Nov) · Phillies/D-Backs home game
- Game 6 (3 Nov) · Astros/Rangers home game
- Game 7 (4 Nov) · Astros/Rangers home game
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