2023 MLB Playoffs update: Texas Rangers sweep Baltimore Orioles in ALDS

The last couple of days have been wild as there have been some big upsets, crazy comebacks, and huge performances in the MLB Playoffs.

Read below for a breakdown of each game and series so far this postseason.

American League Divisional Series

#1 Baltimore Orioles vs. #5 Texas Rangers

Game 1: Texas wins 3-2

The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning with two runs before adding a third run in the sixth inning.

The bulk of this game was pitched by the Rangers’ bullpen, who went 5.1 innings and allowed just one earned run, holding off the Orioles comeback attempt.

Game 2: Texas wins 11-8

The Rangers started Game 2 by allowing two runs in the bottom of the first. However, the Rangers then took over, scoring nine straight runs, highlighted by a Mitch Garver grand slam in the top of the third inning.

The Baltimore comeback attempt was halted by two more Texas runs, giving them a 2-0 lead in the series.

Game 3: Texas wins 7-1

The series shifted to Texas on Tuesday night as the Rangers were looking for a sweep over the top-seeded Orioles.

The Rangers started strong, scoring one run in the first and another five in the second to go up 6-0 almost immediately.

After that, it was smooth sailing as the Rangers starter, Nathan Eovaldi went 7.0 innings, allowing just one earned run, giving Texas the sweep and advancing them to the ALCS.

Texas wins series 3-0

#2 Houston Astros vs. #3 Minnesota Twins

Game 1: Houston wins 6-4

Houston opened Game 1 strong with home runs by Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez in the first and third innings to put the Astros up 3-0.

The Astros then added another two runs in the fifth inning to increase their lead to 5-0.

The Twins scored four runs in the seventh to make it a one-run game, before a second home run by Alvarez in the seventh increased the Houston lead to 6-4 and put them ahead for good.

Game 2: Minnesota wins 6-2

The Twins started Game 2 much stronger, scoring the first six runs through the first seven innings to build a 6-0 lead.

Starting pitcher, Pablo Lopez fired 7.0 innings of shutout baseball to keep the Astros’ offense suppressed, which allowed the Twins to steal a game in Houston.  

Game 3: Houston wins 9-1

Momentum immediately swung Houston’s way as they started this game with four runs in the first inning.

They chased Twins starter Sonny Gray after 4.0 innings and scored another five runs to easily win and retake control of this series. 

Houston leads series 2-1
 

National League Divisional Series

#1 Atlanta Braves vs. #4 Philadelphia Phillies

Game 1: Philadelphia wins 3-0

Philadelphia decided to go with a bullpen game to start this series and it worked out well as they shutout the Braves on the road.

The Phillies used a Bryson Scott single in the fourth, Bryce Harper home run in the sixth, and a controversial catcher's interference in the eighth to build a 3-0 lead, which was enough to steal Game 1 after the Braves’ bats went cold.

Game 2: Atlanta wins 5-4

The Phillies built an early 4-0 and starting pitcher Zack Wheeler was dealing over the first 6.0 innings.

An untimely Trea Turner error allowed the Braves to get on the board in the sixth inning, before two-run home runs by Travis d’Arnaud in the seventh and Austin Riley in the eighth completed the comeback.

An unlikely double-play then ended this game as Harper was doubled up at first base, giving the Braves life in this series.

Series Tied at 1-1
 

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. #6 Arizona Diamondbacks

Game 1: Arizona wins 11-2

Game 1 was essentially decided in the first inning as Clayton Kershaw recorded just one out and allowed six runs.

By the time the second inning was over, the Diamondbacks led 9-0 and coasted to an 11-2 win to steal the first game in Los Angeles.

Game 2: Arizona wins 4-2

The Dodgers once again struggled early, as they spotted the Diamondbacks three runs in the first inning.

This was pretty much all Arizona needed to upset the scuffling Dodgers on their way to stealing back-to-back games in Los Angeles.

Arizona leads series 2-0