2023 MLB playoffs: Predictions, expert picks for every postseason round, including World Series winner

Major League Baseball’s postseason box is ready, that means that the one factor left to do is play the video games. The playoffs will start in earnest with the best-of-three Wild Card Series on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Just over 3 weeks later, on Friday, Oct. 27, the World Series will begin. In between, there will be quite a lot of thrilling postseason baseball to devour and experience. (You can take a look at the total playoff bracket and time table right here.)

For those that have forgotten how the playoffs are structured, permit us to supply a snappy refresher. The most sensible two groups in every league obtain a first-round bye. The different golf equipment in every league are then paired as much as play a best-of-three collection. From there, the postseason takes its previous shape: a best-of-five Division Series, a best-of-seven League Championship Series, and, after all, the best-of-seven World Series. Then somebody will get to throw a parade. 

Here’s a have a look at the playoff box on either side:

American League

First-round byes
No. 1 Orioles, No. 2 Astros

Wild Card Series
No. 3 Twins vs. No. 6 Blue Jays
No. 4 Rays vs. No. 5 Rangers

National League

First-round byes
No. 1 Braves, No. 2 Dodgers

Wild Card Series
No. 3 Brewers vs. No. 6 Diamondbacks
No. 4 Phillies vs. No. 5 Marlins

The best factor higher than postseason baseball is offering some other alternative for people to mock those that quilt the sport. As such, beneath CBS Sports has presented our predictions and explanations for all the postseason. Much like psychic readings in New Jersey, we’re obligated to notice that those are best for leisure functions.

Now, directly to it.

R.J. Anderson’s bracket

World Series pick out: Braves over Astros

Anderson: I believe the Braves are obviously the finest staff in baseball, so selecting them to win all the factor is beautiful easy. Elsewhere, I attempted to change between “better team” and “upsets happen” with one notable exception: the Twins. I would like to look them win a playoff collection for the primary time in an excessively, very very long time. I don’t believe they are a greater staff than the Blue Jays, and they are undoubtedly banged up. But they do have a just right most sensible of the rotation, and possibly Rocco Baldelli can paintings some magic.

Mike Axisa’s bracket

World Series pick out: Braves over Rays

Axisa: The American League is large open this season. I’m now not certain the Orioles have the pitching to get thru October and the Astros are extra prone now than at any level within the final 6-7 years. The Rays, even with their pitching accidents, strike me as probably the most entire staff, so they are my pick out to return out of the Junior Circuit. The Braves are beautiful obviously the finest staff in baseball, and despite the fact that Max Fried and Charlie Morton are harm, they have got the pitching intensity and offense to hide. The Brewers have the rotation however now not the offense and the Dodgers are too banged up for me to really feel assured in them making deep runs. Anything can occur briefly collection, we all know that. I simply have a difficult time seeing a staff profitable 3 out of 5 or 4 out of 7 in opposition to Atlanta. They’re my pick out to win the World Series.

Kate Feldman’s bracket

World Series pick out: Braves over Rays

Feldman: If I had even somewhat extra religion within the Rays’ bullpen, I may have snuck them a hoop, however alas, even the Braves’ personal rotation issues light when put next. Ronald Acuña Jr. goes to thieve his manner into the hearts, minds and stomachs (do they nonetheless do the Taco Bell deal?) this October and there is not anything any people can do about it. The Orioles are a really perfect tale however that pitching team of workers wishes extra assist than they were given on the closing date, and the similar may also be mentioned in regards to the Astros and Dodgers. Hey, has any person discussed in recent years that pitching is king within the playoffs?

Dayn Perry’s bracket

World Series pick out: Rays over Braves

Perry: While I’m cautious of the Braves’ present rotation straits, in particular relating to well being, that offense is so otherworldly that the margin for pitching error is relatively excessive. All that lineup thump plus Spencer Strider’s bat-missing functions can be sufficient for Atlanta. The Dodgers’ personal rotation problems can be their undoing in opposition to the Braves’ lineup within the NLCS. Speaking of rotation shortcomings, I believe the loss of intensity — even in a best-of-five — is what helps to keep the Orioles from creating a deep run in spite of their having gained the hardest department in baseball. Overall, I’m taking the Rays to win all of it for the primary time in franchise historical past. While they are now not relatively the Braves on offense, they have got a deep, balanced, and robust lineup, however plus sufficient lefty-righty intensity at the roster to complicate aid choices. Their present bullpen state of affairs plus Kevin Cash’s expert use of it’s preferably adapted to fresh playoff baseball. I say they’re going to live longer than the Braves in a high-scoring Fall Classic. 

Stephen Pianovich’s bracket

World Series pick out: Phillies over Astros

Pianovich: Here at the World Wide Web, I’ve been constantly reminded that I picked the Atlanta Braves to complete 3rd in their very own department initially of the season. The Braves have spent the final six months organising themselves as the finest staff in baseball, and the pick out has elderly as poorly as imaginable. So what has it taught me as a prognosticator? In the phrases of proper fielder/fashionable thinker Nick Castellanos: “Not a damn thing.” A sensible guy would use this chance to atone and pick out Atlanta to win all of it. It’s not that i am a sensible guy. I’m a Philadelphian who picked the Phillies to overcome the Astros within the World Series in the ones exact same preseason predictions. It’s time to double down.

Matt Snyder’s bracket

World Series pick out: Braves over Orioles

Snyder: We have not observed the finest staff in every league advance to the World Series in a complete season since 2013 and it is about time that occurs once more. Sure, there is all the time funkiness within the playoffs, however I’m calling for that to occur within the first around and get it over with after that. It’ll be a powerhouse ultimate 4 with the highest 4 seeds and the novice Orioles would be the AL staff to knock the mighty Astros out. How about Braves-Dodgers NLCS, Round 3? I simply do not suppose the Dodgers or Orioles have sufficient pitching presently to carry the Braves down. If any person goes to take down the Braves, I believe it must be the Phillies, however I’ll move with the Braves this time.