Seattle Mariners players celebrate with Jorge Polanco, center, after he hit the game-winning RBI single in the 15th inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Major League Baseball’s playoffs have reached an exciting stage with the commencement of the League Championship Series (LCS). The matchups feature the storied Los Angeles Dodgers and three other franchises with aspirations to secure their first World Series title. Among them are the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, both of whom will compete in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), while the Milwaukee Brewers face off against the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
The Mariners and Brewers are two of the five current franchises that have never won a World Series. This postseason marks a significant opportunity for both teams, particularly for the Mariners, who have not even claimed a pennant. They advanced to the ALCS following a thrilling 15-inning victory against the Detroit Tigers in Game 5 of their AL Division Series. With their next game set for less than 48 hours later on Sunday night, the Mariners are now tasked with overcoming fatigue.
In the opening game against the Blue Jays, the Mariners will start Bryce Miller, who had a regular-season ERA of 5.68, on just three days’ rest. In contrast, the Blue Jays will have a well-rested Kevin Gausman on the mound, fresh from eliminating the New York Yankees in four games.
The Dodgers, the defending World Series champions, secured their spot in the NLCS by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in four games. The Brewers earned their place by overcoming the Chicago Cubs in a five-game series. Both the Brewers and Blue Jays finished the regular season as the top seeds in their respective leagues, with the Brewers boasting a record of 97 wins and the Blue Jays at 94.
Star Performers and Key Matchups
The ALDS showcased impressive performances from star players. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays excelled, going 9 for 17 with three home runs and nine RBIs against the Yankees. Meanwhile, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who hit 60 homers during the regular season, contributed a solid 6 for 21 performance with a home run and four walks against Detroit.
In the NLCS, Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star for the Dodgers, faced challenges both on the mound and at the plate against the Phillies. However, Roki Sasaki, another Japanese standout, emerged as a bright spot for Los Angeles, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the playoffs. His performance may address some of the Dodgers’ bullpen issues, especially given that Milwaukee’s starting pitchers had a better ERA during the regular season than the Dodgers’ celebrated lineup.
Milwaukee’s journey to the NLCS is particularly poignant, coming just months after the passing of longtime broadcaster Bob Uecker. The Brewers honored him by posing with a banner featuring his signature after eliminating the Cubs, a tribute to his lasting impact on the franchise.
Historic Context and Future Implications
The matchup between the Dodgers and Brewers is a rematch of the 2018 NLCS, which went to a decisive Game 7, with the Dodgers emerging victorious and denying the Brewers their first World Series appearance since 1982. The Brewers’ dominance over the Dodgers during the regular season, finishing 6-0 against them, contributed to their strong record this year.
Conversely, the Mariners and Blue Jays have a more limited historical rivalry, having entered the American League simultaneously in 1977. Seattle’s home games may see a significant presence of Blue Jays fans due to the proximity to Canada, complicating the Mariners’ home-field advantage. This is Seattle’s first appearance in the ALCS since 2001, when they achieved a remarkable 116 wins before succumbing to the Yankees.
If both the Mariners and Brewers advance to the World Series, it would mark the first Fall Classic featuring two teams that have never won the championship since the Philadelphia Phillies faced the Kansas City Royals in 1980.
The League Championship Series runs from October 12 to 21, 2023, with the NL games broadcast on TBS and the AL games on FOX/FS1. The World Series is scheduled for October 24 to November 1, 2023, and according to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Dodgers are the favorites to win the World Series at +120, followed by the Blue Jays at +325, Mariners at +340, and Brewers at +400.
As the playoffs unfold, fans eagerly anticipate which team will finally claim a long-awaited championship title.
