Major League Baseball’s postseason has reached a thrilling stage with the commencement of the League Championship Series. The competition features the storied Los Angeles Dodgers, alongside the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, both vying for their first World Series championship. The Milwaukee Brewers also aim to secure their inaugural title, making this a historic playoff season.
Teams with a Chance to Make History
Currently, there are five franchises in MLB that have never clinched a World Series title. Among them, the Mariners and Brewers have advanced to the League Championship Series, marking a significant opportunity for both teams. The Mariners achieved their spot after an exhilarating 15-inning victory over Detroit in Game 5 of the American League Division Series, which took place on October 12, 2023.
Seattle’s upcoming challenge against the Blue Jays begins less than 48 hours after their grueling win, with Game 1 set for Sunday night in Toronto. The Mariners, needing to manage their pitching staff after that marathon game, will start Bryce Miller, who had a regular season ERA of 5.68. In contrast, Kevin Gausman, a rested ace for Toronto, will take the mound following the Blue Jays’ successful four-game series against the New York Yankees.
In the National League Championship Series, the defending champion Dodgers face the Brewers after dispatching the Philadelphia Phillies in just four games. Milwaukee secured its place by overcoming the Chicago Cubs in a five-game division series. The Brewers and Blue Jays, both top seeds in their respective leagues, boast impressive regular season records of 97 and 94 wins, respectively.
Star Players Shine in Playoffs
The American League Division Series showcased standout performances from both Toronto and Seattle players. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. excelled for the Blue Jays, hitting nine for 17 with three home runs and nine RBIs against the Yankees. Meanwhile, the Mariners’ catcher, Cal Raleigh, managed six hits and four walks during the series, including a home run.
For the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani did not have a notable series against the Phillies, but Roki Sasaki emerged as a key asset for the bullpen, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs. This could address some concerns about the Dodgers’ pitching depth, especially considering that Milwaukee’s starters boasted a superior ERA during the regular season.
Milwaukee’s progression to the NLCS is particularly poignant, coming almost nine months after the passing of longtime broadcaster Bob Uecker. The team honored Uecker by posing with a banner featuring his signature after eliminating the Cubs.
The matchup between the Dodgers and Brewers revives memories of the 2018 NLCS, which stretched to a decisive Game 7, where the Dodgers triumphed to thwart Milwaukee’s first World Series appearance since 1982. Notably, the Brewers swept the season series against the Dodgers this year, achieving a perfect 6-0 record during an 11-game win streak leading into the All-Star break.
Historic Implications and Future Matchups
Despite entering the American League at the same time, the Mariners and Blue Jays lack a rich historical rivalry. However, the geographical proximity to Canada could lead to a significant number of Blue Jays fans at Seattle’s home games. This marks the Mariners’ return to the ALCS for the first time since 2001, a year when they achieved a remarkable 116 regular season wins but fell short against the Yankees.
The Blue Jays last reached the ALCS in 2016 and have not claimed a pennant since winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. This season, the Blue Jays finished 4-2 against the Mariners, with their season series concluding by mid-May.
If both the Mariners and Brewers advance to the World Series, it would create a historic scenario, as it would be the first Fall Classic featuring two teams without a championship title since the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Kansas City Royals in 1980.
The League Championship Series will take place from October 12 to 21, 2023, leading to the World Series scheduled from October 24 to November 1, 2023. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Dodgers are currently favored to win the World Series at odds of +120, followed by the Blue Jays at +325, Mariners at +340, and Brewers at +400.
