ALDS + NLDS Most Compelling Storylines I'm All In For
Running through the best plot-lines from the Division Series...
Things will really start to ramp up in the 2023 MLB Postseason on Saturday.
We’ve made it to the Division Series where four more teams will advance, and four will go home. After that, the path to the World Series gets a lot shorter.
As such, the intensity will start to really crank up this weekend, especially with the introduction of the big boys. The Baltimore Orioles, the No. 1 seed in the AL, and the Atlanta Braves, the No. 1 seed in the NL, enter the fray as do heavy hitters the LA Dodgers and the Houston Astros.
We have four really intriguing and really riveting matchups on our hand, perhaps highlighted by bitter rivals the Phillies and the Braves going at it again in a compelling rematch of the 2022 NLDS.
By the way, I performed a very deep dive into the National League Division Series, which you can read right HERE.
I have also provided a real detailed and in-depth preview of the American League Division Series, which you can browse by clicking right HERE.
This should be a really fun round and I think most matchups will go four games, if not the full five. We’re already at that stage of the postseason where the teams that are left are all really, really good and it is going to be an absolute dogfight right up to the finish now.
And there’s just so much intrigue in this Division Series given the matchups. We are being treated to a plethora of really, really interesting storylines and I’ve decided to pick out a few of my favorite for you.
Let’s dive right in…
Hello, Old Friend
For me, without a doubt, the most eye-catching plot line of the Division Series is Carlos Correa’s return to Houston. It is like the apprentice trying to take down the master. Anakin Skywalker vs. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader. Rey vs…. forget that, the prequels were a piece of hot, stinking garbage and I refuse to give them any credence.
Moving swiftly on…
Anyway, Correa was the architect of a lot of the Astros’ postseason success, particularly in 2017. He was the cornerstone of that World Series winning team, hitting .276/.300/.517/.817 with two homers and five RBIs in the World Series.
Correa wasn’t just great for Houston in the Playoffs, he was all-time legendary and iconic. He left the Astros as one of their greatest-ever postseason performers, posting a career .272 average, 18 homers and 59 RBIs. You may as well call him Mr. October.
To add more context to Correa’s October exploits, the righty bat ranks seventh in AL / NL history in Playoff homers and sixth in RBIs with 60, a total that is the most among active players. Correa could end up with more postseason RBIs than Derek Jeter and David Ortiz (61 apiece), and David Justice (63) over the next week or so if he has a big series against the Astros. That would move him into the all-time top three, behind only Manny Ramirez (78) and Bernie Williams (80). Given that he hasn’t even celebrated his 30th birthday yet, it is feasible to suggest that Correa could eventually end up surpassing both of those iconic legends to move into the No.1 spot all-time.
The shortstop is a bona-fide postseason legend in Houston, and that legacy is forever set in stone. However, Correa will now look to start writing a new chapter in his Playoff mythology with the Twins. He’ll enter Game 1 of the ALDS having been a major driver in Minnesota getting here.
While not great during the regular season, Correa began to get hot down the stretch in September because, well, that’s what he does. He finds a way to dig deep and somehow find another level or two to reach when the stage starts to get even bigger. And, by the time October arrived. Mr. Postseason was ready to do what he does best. Deliver in the absolute biggest moments.
He made the play of the game in Game 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays, bailing out his teammate Jorge Polanco by picking up a loose and weak grounder and, while off-balance, making an elite, do-or-die, clutch throw to home to nab Bo Bichette and swing the momentum in the series. Then, in search of a first series win since 2002, Correa began another heroic day by knocking in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded single, before leading to the staggering pickoff of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at second, which ended the inning with the Blue Jays leaving two runners stranded in a 2-0 game.
Both plays were symbiotic of Correa’s utter excellence this time of year, and it just proves that he has ice in his veins by the time October arrives. Now Correa will be heading back to the place where he built his postseason legacy, hoping to lead a major upset and move a step closer to ensuring that he is remembered as one of the greatest postseason performers of all time.
The stage is set for Correa to take down his master and achieve yet more greatness in October.