MLB Division Series: Live updates, analysis from Day 1

ESPN

Oct 7, 2023, 05:30 PM ET

It’s Super Saturday in the 2023 MLB playoffs.

After four wild-card sweeps on Wednesday, all eight remaining teams are in action today, starting with Game 1 of the American League Division Series. The visiting Texas Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles, while the Minnesota Twins are at the Houston Astros (FS1). Later, it’ll be the openers of the two National League Division Series: The Philadelphia Phillies visit the Atlanta Braves (6 p.m. ET, TBS), followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Los Angeles Dodgers (9:20 p.m., TBS).

We’ll have you covered as the best-of-five series begin with matchups, live updates and analysis throughout the day, followed by our takeaways after the final pitch of each game.

Key links: Everything you need to know | Full postseason schedule | Picks

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Live updates | Takeaways | Matchups

Live updates

Takeaways

Rangers 3, Orioles 2: Game 1 between the Rangers and Orioles featured some excellent defense, some intriguing bullpen decisions, a pumped-up Orioles crowd, and, most of all, two Texas rookies who stole the headlines. Evan Carter continued his rise to stardom with an RBI double and two more walks, while Josh Jung blasted a home run to center field. Then the Rangers’ bullpen held on for a one-run victory.

The bullpen was the biggest question mark for both teams heading into the series, and Bruce Bochy asked his to get 16 outs. Texas relievers gave up just one run and faced a couple tense moments — like when Aroldis Chapman walked the first two batters in the bottom of the eighth but escaped with a double play (Jung made a nice play at third base to start it) and a strikeout. Jose Leclerc gave up a leadoff single in the ninth to Gunnar Henderson, but Henderson got caught stealing to quickly stifle a looming rally.

Indeed, the much-maligned Texas bullpen seemed to pick up some of that magic Bochy always had in October when he managed the Giants to three World Series with his bullpen always stepping up big. One game is hardly a definitive answer, but the ‘pen has delivered in three playoff games so far. If that continues, the Rangers can go a long way. — David Schoenfield

Matchups

All times Eastern

Minnesota Twins (Bailey Ober: 8-6, 3.43) at Houston Astros (Justin Verlander: 13-8, 3.22), FS1

2023 regular-season head-to-head record: Twins 4, Astros 2

Lineups:

Twins

Edouard Julien (L) 2B
Jorge Polanco (S) 3B
Royce Lewis (R) DH
Max Kepler (L) RF
Alex Kirilloff (L) 1B
Carlos Correa (R) SS
Matt Wallner (L) LF
Ryan Jeffers (R) C
Michael A. Taylor (R) CF

Astros

Jose Altuve (R) 2B
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Yordan Alvarez (L) DH
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Jose Abreu (R) 1B
Michael Brantley (L) LF
Chas McCormick (R) CF
Jeremy Pena (R) SS
Martin Maldonado (R) C

Philadelphia Phillies (Ranger Suarez: 4-6, 4.18) at Atlanta Braves (Spencer Strider: 20-5, 3.86), 6 p.m. on TBS

2023 regular-season head-to-head record: Braves 8, Phillies 5

Lineups:

Phillies

Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
Trea Turner (R) SS
Bryce Harper (L) 1B
Alec Bohm (R) 3B
Bryson Stott (L) 2B
J.T. Realmuto (R) C
Nick Castellanos (R) RF
Brandon Marsh (L) LF
Johan Rojas (R) CF

Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Marcell Ozuna (R) DH
Michael Harris II (L) CF
Orlando Arcia (R) SS
Sean Murphy (R) C
Kevin Pillar (R) LF

Arizona Diamondbacks (Merrill Kelly: 12-8, 3.29) at Los Angeles Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw: 13-5, 2.46), 9:20 p.m. on TBS

2023 regular-season head-to-head record: Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 5

Lineups:

Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte (S) 2B
Corbin Carroll (L) RF
Tommy Pham (R) DH
Christian Walker (R) 1B
Gabriel Moreno (R) C
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF
Alek Thomas (L) CF
Evan Longoria (R) 3B
Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS

Dodgers

Mookie Betts (R) 2B
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Will Smith (R) C
Max Muncy (L) 3B
J.D. Martinez (R) DH
Jason Heyward (L) RF
David Peralta (L) LF
James Outman (L) CF
Miguel Rojas (R) SS

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