What To Know
- With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, teams are jockeying for position in the standings, hoping to secure a spot in the postseason.
- The Astros have won the World Series in each of the past two years and are looking to become the first team to win three straight World Series since the New York Yankees did it from 1936 to 1938.
- The Houston Astros and the New York Yankees are the favorites to win the World Series in the AL.
As the regular season winds down, baseball fans eagerly anticipate the start of the playoffs and the quest for the World Series trophy. With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, teams are jockeying for position in the standings, hoping to secure a spot in the postseason. But for those teams that fall short of the playoffs, the question arises: is baseball done for the season?
The Playoff Picture
The Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs are a single-elimination tournament that determines the World Series champion. The top two teams from each division in the American League (AL) and National League (NL) automatically qualify for the playoffs. The remaining two teams in each league are determined by a wild-card game between the teams with the best records who did not win their division.
The Road to the World Series
The playoffs begin with the Division Series, which is a best-of-five series between the division winners and the wild-card teams. The winners of the Division Series advance to the League Championship Series (LCS), which is also a best-of-five series. The winners of the LCS advance to the World Series, which is a best-of-seven series.
The Teams to Watch
Several teams are considered contenders for the World Series this year. In the AL, the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees are the favorites. In the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves are the teams to beat.
The Underdogs
While the Astros, Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves are the favorites, there are a few teams that could surprise people and make a run in the playoffs. In the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins are both capable of making a deep run. In the NL, the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals are both dark horses to watch.
The Storylines to Follow
There are several storylines to follow in the playoffs this year. One storyline is the quest for a three-peat by the Astros. The Astros have won the World Series in each of the past two years and are looking to become the first team to win three straight World Series since the New York Yankees did it from 1936 to 1938.
Another storyline to follow is the return of the Yankees to the playoffs. The Yankees missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016. They are looking to make a deep run this year and bring the World Series trophy back to the Bronx.
The Verdict: Is Baseball Done for the Season?
The answer to the question “is baseball done for the season?” is a resounding no. The playoffs are just getting started, and there is still plenty of baseball to be played. The next few weeks will be filled with excitement and drama as the teams battle it out for the World Series title.
Common Questions and Answers
Q: When do the playoffs start?
A: The playoffs start on October 3, 2023.
Q: What is the format of the playoffs?
A: The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament. The top two teams from each division in the AL and NL automatically qualify for the playoffs. The remaining two teams in each league are determined by a wild-card game between the teams with the best records who did not win their division.
Q: Who are the favorites to win the World Series?
A: The Houston Astros and the New York Yankees are the favorites to win the World Series in the AL. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves are the favorites in the NL.
