Playoff bound: How to watch MLB's best-of-three wild-card series

Can you smell it in the autumn air? Postseason baseball is here. 162 regular season games have culminated in this. So, will there be the same suspense, thrills, highs, and lows of last year?

It's tough to compete with a no-hitter in the World Series, but the diehard fans among us are hoping for something similar this time around.

We start with the wild-card rounds, each best-of-three. While the top two seeds get a bye, seeds 3-6 in each league will duke it out between October 3 and 5 to determine who gets the right to face the top dogs in each league.

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How to watch AL and NL wild card rounds: TV and streaming

Wild Card Bracket:

• #3 Minnesota Twins vs. #6 Toronto Blue Jays
• #4 Tampa Bay Rays vs. #5 Texas Rangers
• #3 Milwaukee Brewers vs. #6 Arizona Diamondbacks
• #4 Philadelphia Phillies vs. #5 Miami Marlins

Each of these American League and National League Wild Card series can be found on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2. The series will each be best-of-three and will air between October 3 and October 5, if Game 3 is necessary for any series.

ALWC:

NLWC:

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Notable Injuries:

Minnesota Twins:

The Twins face a series of injuries to key players. However, it seems likely that a few will be ready for the start of the series on October 1. For one, star shortstop Carlos Correa (foot) went on the team's 10-day IL on September 20. He is expected to be ready for October 3, but the foot injury has been plaguing him all season, arguably before the season. Correa is a talented player, but is having a down season by his standards, and that nagging foot injury could be an issue.

Star outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (knee) is also facing injury issues. He's faced several injuries in his career before, but the Twins have limited his role to DH this season when he's been healthy enough to play. Buxton has expressed determination to play this postseason, but the team has made no official comment on whether or not he will be ready for their series against Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays:

The Blue Jays are mostly healthy heading into the postseason. Catcher Danny Jansen (finger) has been out since September 8, and his absence will definitely be felt at bat and behind the plate. Aside from him though, the only other notable injuries are to the likes of right-handed reliever Adam Cimber (shoulder) and starter Alek Manoah, both of whom were terrific pitchers for the Jays in 2022 but have struggled mightily this season.

Tampa Bay Rays:

The Tampa Bay Rays will be without second baseman Brandon Lowe for the wild-card round. The powerful second baseman has been a force in the Rays' lineup for years. In 2023 alone, he swung the lumber to the tune of a 113 OPS+, which is on the very high end for second basemen.

The Rays could also be without outfielder Jose Siri (hand). Although, just a few days ago, the Twins received a positive update about Siri's injury. Siri continued baseball activities on September 28, and the team is optimistic he will be healthy for the start of the postseason.

Texas Rangers:

Not only will the Texas Rangers be without key offseason acquisition Jacob deGrom who underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this year, but midseason acquisition Max Scherzer (shoulder) is also unlikely to participate in the playoffs after suffering a strain on a muscle in his upper arm on September 13. Although Scherzer threw a light bullpen session on September 27, his outlook on the postseason is dim.

They aren't the only two Rangers' pitchers on IL though. Pitcher Jon Gray was placed on the team's 15-day IL with lower forearm tightness on September 29. He will not be available for the wild card round but could be available for the ALDS if the Rangers get that far.

Milwaukee Brewers:

The Milwaukee Brewers are arguably the healthiest team in MLB heading into the playoffs. The only serious injury they've suffered recently was a setback to DH Jesse Winker (quads). Winker, however, rejoined the Brewers on September 26. Although he has not played in a single game for the team, he should be ready if the Brewers need him for their opening round.

Arizona Diamondbacks:

Diamondbacks' manager Torey Lovullo announced September 29 that closer Mark Melancon (shoulder) was being shut down for the rest of the year.

Philadelphia Phillies:

Slugger Rhys Hoskins suffered a torn ACL at the start of the season, yet miraculously, he could be available for a late postseason push. He almost certainly won't be available for the wild card round, despite travelling to Clearwater to take live batting practice during the first round of the playoffs. However, his presence would undoubtedly be a boost to the Phillies if they go deep in the playoffs once again.

Star shortstop Trea Turner (elbow) held out of the Phillies' regular season finale. His availability for the postseason is not in doubt though.

Miami Marlins:

National League batting champ Luis Arraez (ankle) has been dealing with his injury for a little while now and has missed games sporadically down the final stretch of the season. He was held out of the team's regular season finale against Pittsburgh, but it is likely that Arraez will be available for the team in the wild card round, even if it is in a limited role.

Odds:

The following are according to the BetMGM odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.

The following will need to be included at the end of the article.

• Twins (-190); Blue Jays (+155)
• Rays (-165); Rangers (+135)
• Diamondbacks (-135); Brewers (+110)
• Marlins (-155); Phillies (+125)

MLB Wild Card Round: Odds and predictions