With a total of 30 teams in the MLB, only 12 teams with the best record throughout the regular season get to participate in the postseason. In the American League, the Houston Astros clinched a postseason spot, with this being their 7th postseason appearance in the last seasons. The New York Yankees also did the same, clinching their 7th postseason appearance in the past 8 years. The Cleveland Guardians clinched their 5th postseason berth in the past seasons. The Toronto Blue Jays also returned, as they clinched their 2nd postseason appearance in the past years. For the Tampa Bay Rays, this was their 4th year in a row making the postseason and for the Seattle Mariners, this was their 1st year, ending more than a 20 year drought having not made the postseason since 2001. The Seattle Mariners had the longest active postseason drought in the American League.

In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their postseason spot in the MLB this would mark their 10th straight postseason appearance. The New York Mets also sealed their 3rd postseason spot in the past five years. This would also mark the first time since 2015 that both New York teams appeared in the postseason. The Atlanta Braves, defending world series champions, would also pull off their 5th straight postseason berth. The St. Louis Cardinals clinched their division, earning their first division title since 2019 and their 4th consecutive postseason appearance. The San Diego Padres clinched their 2nd postseason berth in the past years, without star ShortStop, Fernando Tatis Jr. The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their 1st postseason berth since 2011. This would also end what was also the longest active postseason drought in the National League.

This postseason, the Phillies would play and beat the Cardinals (Series 2-0). The Padres would play and beat the Mets (Series 2-1). The Mariners would play and beat the Blue Jays (Series 2-0). Tampa Bay would play but lose to the Guardians(Series 2-0). The winning teams would then advance to the American League Division Series (ALDS) or National League Division Series (NLDS).

With the Yankees securing the American League, they would be granted a bye, straight to the ALDS. The Yankees would play and beat the Guardians (Series 3-2). The Astros would play and sweep the Mariners(Series 3-0). The reigning World Series Champions would fall short to the Phillies, losing the series 3-1. The Dodgers would play and be upset by the Padres losing the Series 3-1.

The 4 teams remaining would play in the Championship Series. The Phillies would match up against the Padres for the NLCS. The Yankees would match up with the Astros in the ALCS. The Phillies haven’t made it to the NLCS since 1980, however, they defeated the Padres (Series 4-1). This would allow the Phillies to advance to the world series to play against the winner of the Astros/Yankees. The Astros would play and sweep the Yankees (Series 4-0). Making their 2nd appearance in the world series since 2017.

The Phillies match up with a best of seven series against the Astros for the World Series. The odds are against the Phillies for many reasons. The Astros are experienced and had a better record this season but this doesn’t mean anything to the Phillies. Star Outfielder, Bryce Harper expresses that “We’re gonna bring this one home boys” during an interview after the NLCS win over the Padres. With these two great teams going up against each other for the World Series, baseball fans are excited to see who will come out on top.