Although the Los Angeles Angels are no longer playing after missing the postseason for an eighth straight year, that doesn’t mean that great baseball can’t still be enjoyed. The 2022 MLB Playoffs are underway, and after a dramatic Wild Card series, the Division Series is set.
The four best teams from the American League and National League remain, with the AL and NL West serving as the home to four of the eight remaining playoff teams.
The Seattle Mariners shocked everyone when they completed a comeback from an 8-1 deficit against the Toronto Blue Jays to secure their spot in the ALDS. The San Diego Padres needed three games to upset the New York Mets, who were sent home after winning 101 games in the regular season.
The Cleveland Guardians continued their elite pitching, doing just enough on offense to get past the Tampa Bay Rays, sweeping them in two games despite scoring a total of three runs. And the Philadelphia Phillies — in their first playoff appearance since 2011 — stunned the St. Louis Cardinals.
Now, the L.A. Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros return to action after getting nearly a week off. As the respective favorites, they’ll try to hold off underdogs and punch their tickets to the Championship Series.
Below, we’ll break down all four Division Series’ and provide scheduling and TV info for every game.
ALDS: No. 1 Houston Astros vs. No. 5 Seattle Mariners
While the focus was on the Dodgers’ 111-win season, the Astros quietly won 106 on the back of one of the best starting rotations and deepest lineups in all of baseball. After the Yankees began to cool off, it was the Astros who prevailed atop the AL, even when ace and Cy Young favorite Justin Verlander missed time.
Verlander is back and on the mound for Game 1 to face a scrappy Mariners team. Every time the Mariners look as though they’re down to their final life, they rebound, and they should have no issues putting up a fight against Houston.
These two teams faced 19 times during the regular season, with the Astros winning 12. With the talent and rest advantage on their side, the Astros are heavy favorites to move on to the ALCS. But the Mariners know what it’s like to play as an underdog.
Game 1: Justin Verlander (HOU) vs. Undecided (SEA)
Tuesday, October 11, Houston, TX
12:37 p.m. PT
TV: TBS
Game 2: Undecided
Thursday, October 13, Houston, TX
12:37 p.m. PT
TV: TBS
Game 3: Undecided
Saturday, October 15, Seattle, WA
Time TBD
TV: TBS
Game 4*: Undecided
Sunday, October 16, Seattle, WA
Time TBD
TV: TBS
Game 5*: Undecided
Monday, October 17, Houston, TX
Time TBD
TV: TBS
ALDS: No. 2 New York Yankees vs. No. 3 Cleveland Guardians
There was a time where the Yankees looked to be the runaway favorites to have the best regular season record and for the World Series. However, outside of MVP favorite Aaron Judge, the Yankees offense has ground to a halt. Meanwhile, their pitching has started to show cracks.
Although the Yankees are the home team with the higher seed, the Guardians come into this series with a much better sense of their identity. The Guardians won’t score many runs, but they’ll shut opposing teams down with pitching and defense. Superstar Jose Ramirez and the offense will do just enough to secure wins.
The Yankees will and should still be favored to win this five-game set, as they won five of six against Cleveland this season. But the Guardians absolutely should give New York a run for their money.
Game 1: Cal Quantrill (CLE) vs. Gerrit Cole (NYY)
Tuesday, October 11, Bronx, NY
4:37 p.m. PT
TV: TBS
Game 2: Shane Bieber (CLE) vs. Nestor Cortes (NYY)
Thursday, October 13, Bronx, NY
4:37 p.m. PT
TV: TBS
Game 3: Luis Severino (NYY) vs. Triston McKenzie (CLE)
Saturday, October 15, Cleveland, OH
Time TBD
TV: TBS
Game 4*: Undecided
Sunday, October, 16, Cleveland, OH
Time TBD
TV: TBS
Game 5*: Undecided
Monday, October 17, Bronx, NY
Time TBD
TV: TBS
NLDS: No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. No. 5 San Diego Padres
Another divisional battle takes place in the DS, with the Dodgers facing the Padres. The Dodgers have been the undisputed best team in baseball for nearly the entire season. Even as they faced injuries to several key pitchers, they continued their winning ways.
It led to an 111-win season, the best in a storied franchise history. While their starting rotation has some question marks, their bullpen is reliable and their lineup is perhaps the best in many years. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Trea Turner headline a lineup that could legitimately include six or more All-Stars.
The Padres have some impressive talent of their own with Manny Machado and Juan Soto. They managed to make the playoffs without the help of Fernando Tatis Jr., and have a chance to exorcise some demons from the regular season.
The Dodgers won the season series 14-5, putting them in clear territory to be heavily favored.
Game 1: Mike Clevinger (SD) vs. Undecided (LAD)
Tuesday, October 11, Los Angeles, CA
6:37 p.m. PT
TV: FS1
Game 2: Undecided
Wednesday, October 12, Los Angeles, CA
5:37 p.m. PT
TV: FS1
Game 3: Undecided
Friday, October 14, San Diego, CA
Time TBD
TV: FS1
Game 4*: Undecided
Saturday, October 15, San Diego, CA
Time TBD
TV: FS1
Game 5*: Undecided
Sunday, October 16, Los Angeles, CA
Time TBD
TV: FS1
NLDS: No. 2 Atlanta Braves vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Phillies
In the third of four inter-division matchups, the reigning World Series champion Braves take on the surprise Phillies after their upset of the Cardinals. Like their championship in 2021, the Braves began the 2022 season slowly.
However, they’ve since picked things up behind an elite bullpen, strong starting pitching, and a quality lineup. They too won 100 games, reaching a final record of 101-61, one of four teams to do so this season.
Statistically, this may be the most lopsided of the four Division Series matchups. However, the Phillies played the Braves well in the regular season, with the Braves only winning 11-8 despite a 14-game advantage in the standings.
Game 1: Ranger Suarez (PHI) vs. Max Fried (ATL)
Tuesday, October 11, Atlanta, GA
10:07 a.m. PT
TV: FS1
Game 2: Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs. Kyle Wright (ATL)
Wednesday, October 12, Atlanta, GA
1:35 p.m. PT
TV: FS1
Game 3: Undecided
Friday, October 14, Philadelphia, PA
Time TBD
TV: FS1
Game 4*: Undecided
Saturday, October 15, Philadelphia, PA
Time TBD
TV: FS1
Game 5*: Undecided
Sunday, October 16, Atlanta, GA
Time TBD
TV: FS1
*if necessary
