The final four teams are set.

Atlanta won 104 games. They aren’t in it. Baltimore won 101 games. They aren’t in it. Los Angeles won 100 games. They aren’t in it. In fact, the five teams with the most wins in the 2023 season were eliminated from the playoffs. Neither Tampa Bay, 99, nor Milwaukee, 92, made it either.

Instead, it’s Texas and Houston, both of who won 90 in the American League, and Philadelphia, also with 90, and Arizona, with 84.

This just goes to show you. 

What it goes to show you, nobody knows. But it goes to show you. This is the beauty of postseason baseball. The old adage, “just get in,” applies. Get in, and it’s a whole new game.

The teams that are winning are doing it with offense. Yes, the adage is pitching wins championships. But maybe that adage is losing some of its relevance now that so many managers are allowed to let their starters go only four innings. Too many games are in the hands of bullpens. It’s up to the offense.

For Texas, they have the deepest lineup they’ve had in a long time. One through nine is a threat. Houston’s offense is just as impressive. 

You look at the teams that lost. Their offensive leaders failed when they really needed them. Mookie Betts was 0-for-11. Freddie Freeman, 1-for-10. Adley Rutschman, 1-for-12. Cedric Mullins, 0-for-12. Ronald Acuña, 2-for-19. Matt Olson, 4-for-20.

It’s not like pitching is dominating. Ask Corey Seager, Yordan Alverez, Evan Carter, and Trea Turner. Along with Josh Jung, Corbin Carroll, and Nick Castellanos, they all hit over .400 in the playoffs so far.

The top four teams in offense in the playoffs? Philadelphia, Arizona, Texas, and Houston.

Offense is the key to the next round. Let’s hope the Rangers offense keeps offensing.

*****

Game 1: Sunday at Houston, 7:15 p.m.
Game 2: Monday at Houston, 3:37 p.m.
Game 3: Wednesday at The Shed, 7:03 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday at The Shed, 7:03 p.m.
Game 5: Friday at The Shed, 4:07 p.m.
Game 6: Sunday, Oct. 22 at Houston, 7:03 p.m.
Game 7:Monday, Oct. 23 at Houston, 7:03 p.m.