2023 MLB Playoffs: Rangers, Phillies taking control

Both the ALCS and the NLCS are through Game 2, and so far, they have both been one-sided.

This article will give you a look at what has happened so far, which will include a recap of every game that has been played. In addition, we will also include the current series record, and current odds for both series, plus the overall World Series odds for all four teams still in the playoffs.

American League Championship Series

#4 Texas Rangers vs. #2 Houston Astros

Game 1: Texas Wins 2-0

Game 1 of this series was a tight contest throughout, but ended up being a dominant performance by the Texas Rangers. Most notably, their starting pitcher, Jordan Montgomery. He pitched 6.1 innings of shutout baseball and held the Astros to five hits. 

On the other side, Justin Verlander was solid too, pitching 6.2 innings, while allowing just two earned runs. However, an RBI single by Jonah Heim in the second inning and a solo home run by Leody Taveras in the sixth inning was enough to steal the first game of this series in Houston.

Game 2:  Texas Wins 5-4

The Rangers built an early lead in Game 2, scoring four runs in the first inning off Houston’s starting pitcher, Framber Valdez. Houston did get a run back in the second, but Texas responded with another run in the third inning. 

The Astros then made this game extremely close, scoring in the fourth and sixth innings to cut the deficit to one run, but it was the Texas pitching staff that stepped up in the later innings to prevent the Astros from a full comeback, which led to the Rangers winning their second straight game in Houston.

• Current Series Record: Texas Leads 2-0
• Next Game: Wednesday, October 18th at 8:03 PM ET
• Current Series Odds: Texas Rangers: -500, Houston Astros: +375

National League Championship Series

#6 Arizona Diamondbacks vs. #4 Philadelphia Phillies

Game 1: Philadelphia Wins 5-3

The Phillies offense started hot in Game 1 with home runs by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the first inning and Nick Castellanos in the second inning. By the fifth inning, the Phillies had built a 5-0 lead after an RBI single by Harper in the third inning and an RBI single from JT Realmuto in the fifth inning. 

The Diamondbacks made an attempt to comeback with a two-run home run by Geraldo Perdomo in the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly by Alek Thomas in the seventh inning. Ultimately, the lead was too big to overcome as the Phillies were able to hold off the Diamondbacks with some timely relief pitching to defend their home field and win Game 1.

Game 2: Philadelphia Wins 10-0

Game 2 was simply a dominant performance by the Phillies. They opened this game with a home run from Trea Turner in the first inning and added another home run by Kyle Schwarber in the third inning. 

The Phillies then broke this game open in the sixth with four runs behind another home run from Schwarber, a two-run double from JT Realmuto, and an RBI double from Brandon Marsh. Again, the Phillies scored four more runs in the seventh inning thanks to a two-run double from Alex Bohm, an RBI single from Realmuto and a sacrifice fly from Nick Castellanos. By this time, the Phillies had opened a 10-0 and easily cruised to a 2-0 lead in the series.  

• Current Series Record: Philadelphia Leads 2-0
• Next Game: Thursday, October 19th at 5:07 PM ET
• Current Series Odds: Arizona Diamondbacks: +650, Philadelphia Phillies: -1000