MLB Playoff Bracket Structure and 2023 Predictions

Explaining the MLB Playoff Bracket

The MLB playoff bracket is an exciting part of every baseball postseason. As teams battle through a grueling 162-game regular season, the playoff bracket looms ahead as the ultimate goal. Only 10 of the 30 MLB teams will emerge into the MLB playoffs. The bracket presents a path to the World Series, where heroes are made and champions are crowned.

MLB Playoff Format

Major League Baseball implemented the current MLB playoff format in 2012. 10 teams qualify based on their regular season records across six divisions. There are six division winners and four wildcard teams that make the cut.

The four wildcard teams square off in a single elimination game. The three division winners with the best records and the wildcard game winner then begin their journey in the division series. This is a best-of-five matchup against another division winner or wildcard team.

Journey Through the MLB Postseason Bracket

The MLB postseason bracket structure whittles the field from 10 to 8 to 4 to 2. In the division series, the four winners move on to their respective League Championship Series. The ALCS and NLCS use a best-of-seven format to determine each league's champion.

Those two teams then clash in the pinnacle of the sport, the World Series. Another best-of-seven series crowns the commissioner's trophy winner as the reigning champion of Major League Baseball.

Wildcard Chaos

The addition of two wildcard teams per league has injected even more excitement into the baseball playoff structure. The wildcard game forces teams to throw their ace pitcher just to keep their World Series dreams alive.

Wildcard teams have made surprising runs despite starting on the road. In 2019, the Washington Nationals won the wildcard game then never lost again en route to a World Series parade. The playoffs are a crapshoot, so any team in the bracket has a fighter's chance.

My 2023 MLB Playoff Bracket Predictions

Based on the active offseason and last year's successes and failures, I'm going bold with my 2023 MLB playoff bracket picks. Here are my predictions for this October's bracket chaos:

American League

I foresee chaos in the AL wildcard game immediately. The reloaded Boston Red Sox sneak past the upstart Baltimore Orioles to claim the #3 seed. They are tested in the first round but prevail over the dangerous Toronto Blue Jays behind strong starting pitching.

The New York Yankees dominate the Tampa Bay Rays to set up an epic ALCS against Boston. In a reversal from years past, the Red Sox come out on top on the backs of their star hitters.

National League

The National League bracket will be even more tumultuous. The New York Mets load up to finally get over the hump, knocking out the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. The San Diego Padres spend big as well and take down the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In a thriller for the NL pennant, the young Padres emerge victorious from the veteran savvy Mets. Their momentum carries them forward to the World Series.

World Series Result

This sets up a clash of historic franchises gunning for their next championship. In a back-and-forth series, the Boston Red Sox ultimately prevail to capture their fourth title in 17 years. The young Padres put the baseball world on notice as their time may come very soon.

That's my bold 2023 MLB playoff prediction. Which longshot team will you be cheering for this October? No matter what, the bracket will provide excitement all the way through the World Series.

FAQs

How many teams make the MLB playoffs?

There are 10 total teams that make the MLB playoffs - 6 division winners and 4 wildcard teams. This has been the format since 2012.

What happens in the MLB wildcard games?

The two wildcard teams from each league face off in a single elimination game. The winner moves on to the Division Series as the #4 seed.

How many series are in the MLB postseason?

There are four total playoff series - the two wildcard games, two Division Series (ALDS and NLDS), two League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS), and the World Series.

Has a wildcard team ever won the World Series?

Yes, wildcard teams have won the World Series before. Most recently, the 2019 Washington Nationals won after beating the Brewers in the wildcard game. They caught fire and won it all as a #4 seed.