Twenty-two games. Eight series. Six sweeps. Five upsets. Four teams remain.

The Atlanta Braves’ game two comeback win ended in the first 8-5-3 double play in playoff history, evening up their series with the Philadelphia Phillies. Following the game, second baseman Orlando Arcia circulated the Braves locker room repeating, “ha-ha, atta-boy, Harper,” a taunt targeted at Phillies first baseman, Bryce Harper.

Two nights later, the Phillies’ superstar stared down Arcia twice as he rounded the bases following moonshots first to right field, then to center. The next day, the Phillies sealed the series on the back of Nick Castellanos’s historic, second consecutive 2-homer game. The cocky Braves struggled to back up their season-long dominance in a short-lived postseason devoid of fortitude, while the Phillies, playing with a chip on their shoulder, continued their dominance at home.

Fans will appreciate the continuation of a second consecutive postseason run in Philadelphia, coined “Red October.” Citizens Bank Park, located in downtown Philadelphia, boasts a playoff atmosphere rivaled by none. An energized sea of fans draped in red surrounds 26 charged individuals competing to attain a goal far bigger than themselves, redemption.

Halfway through their playoff journey, the Phillies now embark on their third quest, fighting a shocking opposition in the Arizona Diamondbacks, who, this week, destroyed a 100-win Los Angeles Dodgers team that the word disappointment does no justice to.

In a collapse for the ages, the Dodgers, who sport two MVP finalists, succumbed to a gritty wild-card team with minimal big-game experience. Dodger legend and future Hall of Famer, Clayton Kershaw took the field in game one, just to be chased off minutes later after recording one out and allowing 6 earned runs, describing the outing as “just disappointing” and “embarrassing.” The unrelenting Diamondbacks brought heart and consistency to Los Angeles, capping off their sweep with a historic 4-home-run inning in game three, with all four blasts coming within a span of five at-bats.

Continually neglected, this Arizona team took its third plunge, in as many weeks, into their uniquely Arizonan outfield pool, hoping to extend that streak as they enter a National League Championship Series, once again the underdog, against the “Fightins” from Philly.

In the American League, the Texas Rangers followed their upset of the helpless Tampa Bay Rays with a dramatic sweep of the top-ranked Baltimore Orioles, bringing their overall postseason record to 5-0. The powerful Rangers offense was omnipresent, sparked by rookie callup, Evan Carter, who made franchise history by reaching base 16 straight times to open his postseason career.

For what had been a question mark throughout the regular season due to injuries and an always shaky bullpen, the pitching staff controlled both series. Rangers pitchers allowed more than 2 runs in a game only once. The potential addition of ace Max Scherzer, who unthinkably cut his return timeline from shoulder strain in half, makes the outlook for the team even brighter heading into their upcoming Lone Star showdown.

With their final game against Baltimore all but over, Ranger fans celebrated, recognizing their team’s overwhelming momentum, as chants of “We want Houston” echoed throughout the stadium. These emboldened fans seemingly neglected the Rangers’ 4-9 season series loss to the Houston Astros, while also tempting fate, with both teams whose fanbases last year beckoned the Astros having lost.

Astros media remains unbothered, but that is to be expected when their Houston Astros team only “celebrates titles,” having appeared in four of the past six World Series and winning two. Following their division title that awarded the team a first-round bye, veteran Alex Bregam responded to reports that other teams had finally overtaken them, saying, “I guess we’ll never know.” Heading into the American League Championship Series between division rivals, the world will soon know.

The Astros faced a test in the divisional rounds, albeit not quite as difficult as the other remaining contenders. Against a Minnesota Twins team that easily handled their wild-card series, the Astros never fell on the ropes. Dismantling the balanced Twins club, the Astros attacked on the offensive side, led by perennial playoff star, Yordan Alvarez, who has, so far, hit .438 with six RBI’s and 4 HR’s.

The team’s experience and camaraderie showed throughout the ups and downs of each game, as the Astros maintained a subdued attitude illustrating their unwavering confidence and desire for more. Even Alvarez tempered his home run celebrations to a celebratory kiss on the back of teammate Martin Maldonado’s neck.

It remains to be seen how the rest of the playoffs will unfold, but this 2023 postseason is as exciting as ever.

On to the next. Let’s play ball.