Curses Lifted, Home Run Fests, Errors Galore, It's The WC Series Game 1 Recap!
Breaking down opening day of the 2023 MLB Postseason...
I don’t care what anyone says, the Playoffs are the most wonderful time of the year. Period.
No matter what sport, you just can’t beat the drama, the passion, the tension, the unpredictability and the sheer, unrelenting, joyful exhilaration of postseason play. You just can’t.
We saw all of those things and more throughout the opening day of the 2023 Major League Baseball Playoffs, as the Wild Card Series got underway.
There’s just something special and unique about Playoff baseball. It is unlike anything we see in other postseasons in the other three major sports.
That’s why Tuesday was so damn great. The crowds were locked in - especially in Minnesota and Philly - and those watching literally got their moneys worth and a whole lot more across the four games.
It was breathtaking, compelling, intoxicating entertainment that left you praying for Wednesday’s slate of games to hurry up and get here.
Just exactly as Playoff baseball should be.
And, before I dive into what exactly went down on Tuesday night, allow me to tip my cap to Major League Baseball for a second. What a smart, smart move to tweak the Wild Card Series, eliminate the one-game sudden death format and introduce a three-game set for each series.
I was never really a fan of the one-and-done era, mainly because, and I realize how ironic this sounds, I felt it sucked all the drama out of it. After all, we all suffer bad days at the office and one especially terrible day for one team could result in an ugly blowout that made the game boring by the fifth inning. Plus, you always felt cheated by a one-game series. I mean, where is the fun in that?! It was always a case of Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am, See You Later. Baseball isn’t a one night stand where you quickly get your thrills and then make a run for it out of the window, never to see your scorned lover again. No, postseason baseball has always been a beautiful, romantic, complex, hard-fought, lengthy love affair that deserves the requisite amount of time to play out.
And that’s exactly what the Best-of-Three format gives us. It is truly a gift from the Baseball Gods. As we saw on Tuesday, the irresistible drama of Playoff baseball was baked in from the very first pitch as teams attempted to out-smart one another, knowing that they would have another opportunity to go to war the next day if things got away from them. The postseason wasn’t created to be over and done with in one game - it was designed to be played out over a number of days where all the suspension and all the drama could really linger. That’s why we love Baseball. Because it is a marathon, and not a sprint.
Going to the Best-Of-Three format was the very definition of hitting a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning.
Right, without further ado, let’s dive right into the wild opening night in the 2023 MLB Postseason…
Wild Card Series Game 1 Recap
Toronto Blue Jays 1 - 3 Minnesota Twins (Minnesota Leads Series 1-0)
It only feels right we start our journey through Tuesday’s slate of games in Minnesota. Now aptly named ‘The Happiest Place On Earth.’ Yes, you heard that right, The Twin Cities is now officially more full of joy than Disney Land.
It is amazing the kind of euphoric highs one city will experience after witnessing its team finally, finally, finally win a Playoff game for the first time in 19 years.
Yes, you read that right.
The Minnesota Twins hadn’t WON A SINGLE FREAKING PLAYOFF GAME IN 19 LONG, MISERABLE, SUCKY YEARS!
Just think about that for a second.
The Twins had made regular trips to the postseason, only to put their poor, long-suffering fans through absolute heartbreak every single time. This was an organization that had lost 18 straight games in the Playoffs.
It was the longest Playoff losing streak in North American Professional Sports history.
Yikes.
To put that into further context, 99 different players appeared in a postseason game for the Twins during the losing streak. Franchise icon Joe Mauer led the way by appearing in 10 of those 18 losses.
Furthermore, here is the list of the longest postseason losing streaks in the history of North American Pro Sports:
Minnesota Twins: 18 games (2004-2023)
Chicago Blackhawks: 16 games (1975-79)
Detroit Pistons: 14 games and counting (2008 to present)
Los Angeles Kings: 14 games (1993-2001)
Several teams tied at 13 games
I think there is probably a lot of relief in the air in Minnesota today, in addition to all the pure joy.
You would have to go all the way back to 2004 to dig up the last time Minnesota prevailed in a Playoff game. They beat the powerhouse New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 2004 ADLS thanks to a magical, majestic performance from Johan Santana on the mound.
But, since that glorious day for the Twins, they have given their fans nothing to get happy about in the postseason. Absolutely nothing. Nada. Zip. Jack. Not a single damn thing.
And, to put one of the most depressing losing streaks in professional sports into some context, here’s a list of things that happened in the years between Minnesota’s last Playoff victory and what transpired on Tuesday…
President Bush was reelected
The Friends finale was watched by a whopping 52 million people
The eighth wonder of the world - the iPhone - was introduced to the universe, changing the game forever
Hit show The Office came into our lives and has remained ever since
Netflix entered the streaming game
The Kardashians burst onto the scene and have refused to leave, infiltrating every single aspect of our sacred lives with their wild shenanigans
Game of Thrones entered our lives, The Avengers Assemble for the first time and Star Wars made a comeback with The Force Awakens
Baby Yoda was born
Donald Trump actually got into The White House, caused a shitload of chaos and, oh, oversaw a global pandemic that smacked every single one of us in the mouth daily for years
Taylor Swift and her loyal army of Swifties began to take over the world and change pop culture as we knew it forever
So, by this point in the article, you probably have a good grasp of the fact that the world has morphed into a very different place since the Twins last did anything in the postseason. Is that world now a better place? Well, I’ll leave that to you to discuss elsewhere…
Because, one thing I do know for sure is that Minnesota is now a better and far happier place in the wake of Tuesday night. The Twins now have that monkey off their backs and, not only have they finally won a postseason game, they are also now just one win away from advancing through to the American League Division Series.
Who would have funk it?
And the heroes of Tuesday?
They would be slugger Royce Lewis, who was just a little five-year-old boy in California when the Twins last won a Playoff game. He harnessed his raw power to mash two homers in a 3-1 win, including a two-run shot in the first inning that really set the tone for the game. Lewis became just the third player to go deep in his first two career postseason at-bats.
The other man of the hour was RHP Pablo López, who arrived to the game sporting a vintage Johan Santana jersey. Talk about a lucky omen. López channeled his inner Santana to deliver another stellar postseason outing on the mound in Twins history, absolutely shutting down what should be an explosive Toronto lineup. López allowed just one run on five hits while walking two and striking out three.
Target Field was absolutely rocking and rightly so. Those fans have had to wait a long, long, long time to cherish the euphoric highs of winning in the postseason. And there could be more cause for celebration on Wednesday. The Twins now need just one more victory in order to clinch their first Playoff Series win since 2002.
This 2023 Twins team are on the cusp of surpassing that 2004 group in terms of what they mean to the city of Minnesota.
Texas Rangers 4-0 Tampa Bay Rays (Texas Leads Series 1-0)
Who needs to go up against a potent lineup and a vastly experienced manager when you can just beat yourselves?
That was the mantra of the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, who could not have endured a worst start to a postseason campaign.
Despite having Tyler Glasnow on the mound - who went 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA during the regular season - the Rays just could not get out of their own way. They committed four errors in a postseason game for the first time in franchise history, and managed just one extra-base hit all night long.
Glasnow did not have his sharpest stuff, walking five batters and allowing a run-scoring wild pitch. It just wasn’t a good night for the Rays, who are now one loss away from elimination. Not only that, but Tampa Bay set a record for the smallest postseason crowd since 1919. Yes, that long ago. Just 19,704 fans were in attendance at Tropicana Field to watch their team fumble the bag at every turn.
As for the Rangers, they didn’t really have to hit their stride in this one. Their lineup took full advantage of the mistakes presented to them, with outfielder Evan Carter going 2-for-2 with a stolen base and a pair of walks, while shortstop Corey Seager went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Texas also got a gem of an outing from lefty Jordan Montgomery, who tossed seven scoreless innings while striking out five and making a stellar diving play in the bottom of the second to snag a bunt and record the out with two runners on.
For the Rangers, who can mash for fun, they will be looking to close out this series on Wednesday. As for the Rays, they need to get it together and quick.
Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3 Milwaukee Brewers (D-Backs Lead Series 1-0)
Chicks dig the long ball.
The Diamondbacks certainly do, that’s for sure.
Down three zip in-front of a lively Milwaukee crowd that was up pumped up for the occasion, and the challenge, the D-Backs mashed their way back into the game and then on to victory in Game 1.
Tyrone Taylor got the Brewers on the board in the second with a two-run jack. It left the bat at 105.6 MPH and travelled 403 ft. Taylor is now hitting .313 with eight doubles, six homers, 17 RBIs and a 1.035 OPS in his past 19 games, a torrid stretch that dates back to Sept. 9.
However, Taylor’s early heroics were quickly overshadowed by Arizona’s home run prowess. Corbin Carroll, who put together a rookie year for the ages with 25 homers and 54 stolen bases during the regular season, cut the lead to one with a two-run shot. Ketel Marte then went back-to-back with a solo blast to tie the game, before the floodgates really opened. The D-Backs continued to rely on the long ball in the top of the fourth as Gabriel Moreno blasted one out to center field, and Brewers ace Corbin Burnes was eventually chased out of the game. Arizona’s Christian Walker added a two-run double in the top of the ninth to ice the game and move the D-Backs to within one win of clinching. Quite a story these upstart Diamondbacks are turning out to be.
But, man, what a tough night for Burnes and Milwaukee in general. The Brewers are built on an elite pitching staff and, with Brandon Woodruff out with a shoulder injury, the onus was on Burnes to deliver like an ace should. However, he crapped the bed. Big time. He allowed four earned runs on five hits, including three homers, walked two and struckout five. He left the game with runners on in just a brutal situation. If the Brewers are to live to fight another day, their starting pitching will have to come deliver and then some on Wednesday. They can’t afford another no-show from their vaunted starting staff.
Miami Marlins 1-4 Philadelphia Phillies (Philadelphia Leads Series 1-0)
There are few better places than Philly to watch live sports. You also won’t find a more passionate fanbase than Philadelphia sports fans. They live and die by their teams, and their entire existence is built around the Phillies, the Eagles, the 76ers and the Flyers.
You saw that in full effect on Tuesday night. Citizens Bank Park was as loud as I’ve ever heard it. Philly was ready for October. They were ready for the postseason.
And so were their heroes.
If I had to pick one team - and you can view my Playoff predictions in full HERE - who I wouldn’t be surprised if they made a deep run, it would be the Phillies. And that is hardly surprising in itself. I mean, this team is absolutely stacked and they were in the World Series in 2022. And then they went out and added Trea Turner in the offseason. Yeah, this lineup 1-through-9 is as good as any in the postseason, and they are going to be a hell of a dangerous team for anyone to face. They can just beat the tar out of you with their abundance of firepower.
Just ask the Marlins.
Turner led things off with a double in the bottom of the first, continuing his hot streak. Since the All-Star break, the shortstop is hitting .292/.348/.554/.902 with 17 doubles, three triples, 16 homers, 44 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Alec Bohm then doubled in the third to score Johan Rojas, before Bryson Stott singled to score J.T. Realmuto and make it a 2-0 game.
Then came the most electric moment of the night.
We all know the fable of Postseason Bryce Harper. It is a legendary tale. The big-time star with a penchant for elevating his game on the biggest stage. Harper morphs into an absolute monster in October. Just go and look at his stats from the 2022 Playoffs. They are insane.
Well, Harper was at it again on Tuesday night. As Nick Castellanos doubled in the bottom of the eighth - producing one of the all-time most iconic postseason celebrations in the process - Harper activated his Playoff mode. Just oozing swagger with his long hair flowing in the wind, Harper ignored the stop sign and went from 1st to home to ice the game and effectively seal the Game 1 win for the Phillies.
I’m sure there was a whole lot of beer both consumed and spilt in that precise moment.
You have to give a ton of credit to Phillies ace Zack Wheeler too, who got the better of Miami’s Jesús Luzardo. Wheeler tossed an absolute gem, striking out eight and walking none while allowing just one run on five hits. He was electric.
And, the bad news for Miami is that as good as their rotation is, I just can’t see this dynamic, explosive Phillies lineup being slowed down anytime soon. I really can’t. The Phillies are damn good and they will have a chance to advance on Wednesday.
Getting You Set For Wednesday
The first potential elimination games of the postseason have arrived.
In the words of Anakin Skywalker, this is where the fun begins.
The Twins will have the golden opportunity to win their first Playoff Series since 2002, the Rangers are going for their first Series win since the 2011 ALCS, and both the Phillies and the D-Backs will be hoping to get the job done today too.
Let’s get you set for all four Game 2’s on Wednesday…
Rangers (1-0) At Rays (0-1) - 3:08 P.M. ET (ABC)
RHP Nate Eovaldi, Texas (12-5, 3.63 ERA) - RHP Zach Eflin, Tampa Bay (16-8, 3.50 ERA)
I don’t think you can ever count out the Rays’ pitching staff, and Zach Eflin dealt throughout the regular season. However, Tampa Bay were an absolute mess in Game 1 and they were the masters of their own downfall. In the history of the Best-of-Three Wild Card Series, Game 1 winners have gone on to win the Series 10 of 12 times, good for a 83% winning percentage. And, with the battle-tested Nate Eovaldi on the mound, coupled with a potent lineup that can do damage on any given night, I fully expect the Rangers to get the job done in Game 2. Their franchise-record six-game losing streak in the postseason will extend to seven.
Blue Jays (0-1) At Twins (1-0) - 4:38 P.M. ET (ESPN)
RHP José Berríos, Toronto (11-12, 3.65 ERA) - Sonny Gray, Minnesota (8-8, 2.79 ERA)
We could be about to witness something truly special in the Twin Cities. After snapping a historic losing postseason streak on Tuesday, the Twins are on the cusp of breaking another curse. If they beat the Blue Jays today, it will be their first Playoff Series win since 2002. Minnesota could explode if that happens. And I could see this Series being decided on Wednesday. Sonny Gray, who was filthy during the regular season, is on the mound for the Twins and he will be confident of shutting down a Blue Jays offense that strung together just six hits and one run in Game 1. Toronto needs its collection of big-time sluggers, like George Springer, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette to come up in the clutch and deliver like the stars they are. If they can’t, it will result in a bitterly disappointing end to a frustrating season for the Blue Jays, and it will mean more euphoric highs for the Twins who could get used to this winning in the postseason business.
Diamondbacks (1-0) At Brewers (0-1) - 7:08 P.M. ET (ESPN2)
Zac Gallen, Arizona (17-9, 3.47 ERA) - Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee (12-10, 3.86 ERA)
I will be shocked if the Brewers don’t advance. Or maybe I just overestimated them. And maybe I underestimated the D-Backs who, while young and inexperienced, are a pretty solid fundamental baseball team. They can also mash, as was shown in Game 1. Corbin Carroll is the straw that stirs the drink for this Arizona offense, and he’ll be looking to inflict more pain on Milwaukee’s pitching staff, which was supposed to be an elite strength heading into this series. Corbin Burnes laid a Godzilla-sized egg in Game 1, a fate Freddy Peralta will hope to avoid in Game 2. If Peralta delivers a dud, then this will be over for the Brewers in a hurry.
Marlins (0-1) At Phillies (1-0) - 8:08 P.M. ET (ESPN)
Braxton Garrett, Miami (9-7, 3.66 ERA) - Aaron Nola, Philadelphia (12-9, 4.46 ERA)
It will fall on the shoulders of Marlins starter Braxton Garrett to try and slow down an almost unstoppable Phillies offense. And I just don’t think he will be able to shut them down enough. There are just too many game-breakers in that lineup that someone at some stage will make a clutch play at the plate. Aaron Nola didn’t pitch great during the regular season but, heading into what could be his final season with the Phillies, he will be motivated to be absolutely money on the mound with another trip to the World Series, and a big-ticket deal in Free Agency, the potential tantalizing prizes on offer.
We’re all set for another wild ride.
See you here on Thursday where we could have a few less teams to talk about…
Enjoy the second day of the Postseason!
