MLB SEASON 2023

Everything happens in Major League Baseball: teams from the bottom of the standings break through to the top; free agents descend from the sky like Superman and start saving the team's macro world; player trades can happen tomorrow, in the middle of the season, or even in December; changes in rules, base sizes, ball weights, etc. It's all about the sport, and we have to enjoy it.

General about the 2022 season

It was an incredibly intense and exciting season in our memories forever. But unfortunately, 2022 ended with an anti-record, as the overall batting average dropped to .243. It is also the lowest since the .237 recorded in the legendary "Year of the Pitcher" in 1968. However, the 2022 season is also the last year of pre-rule changes, as pitching clocks, banned defensive shifts, and increased bases are ready to take root.

Positive statistics still have a place! Quick top three: The best record in MLB in the 2022 season was posted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, winners of the NL West. They finished with a 111-51 record, the best overall score in the league. The Houston Astros had the next-best overall and American League record at 106-56. They finished ahead of the AL East champs New York Yankees, who had a score of 99-63. 

This season also saw some remarkable and true historical events: Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees surpassed Roger Maris' 61 home runs, and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals became the fourth player to hit 700 home runs! In addition, Pujols has 703 career home runs and has eclipsed the legendary Babe Ruth in RBI.

The National League also had its record-breaking moments. The Los Angeles Dodgers set two franchise achievements this season. By winning 107 games this season, they surpassed the record of 106 wins set in 2019 and tied in 2021. In addition, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals tied the franchise achievement for most career starts this season with 328, established in 2006.

Let's continue with the good news! The Philadelphia Phillies and the Seattle Mariners were able to end their droughts and reach the postseason. Philadelphia entered the playoffs for the first time since 2011, where they faced off against the Houston Astros. We cannot ignore the historic achievement of the Seattle Mariners, who broke the longest playoff drought (21 seasons!) in MLB this season. No surprise there because rookie Julio Rodriguez's performance was at the level of the league's stars. 

The biggest surprise of the regular season, and the season's highlight, was the Cleveland Guardians team, whose battle in the AL Central against the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins. The Guardians quickly overtook the other squads and topped the division with a strong majority.

Postseason winners

In 2022, the Houston Astros returned to the World Series for the second year. They weren't as bright as the Dodgers in the regular season, but they cemented their dominance at the top of the MLB. The Astros ended the stubborn Phillies team in 6 games to win the second championship in the team's history. It is hard to find any other word than "dominance" regarding Houston's performance in the ALDS and ALCS. They swept the hungry Mariners and the Yankees in one fell swoop, who could not break out of their backyard. Nevertheless, six consecutive AL titles and a World Series win should improve the mood of the fans around this team next season.

We are sure that no fan could have predicted such a dramatic twist for the Philadelphia Phillies, who began the postseason with back-to-back World Series championships. However, the game has completely turned around thanks to a change in management. With new manager Rob Thomson, the Phillies' energy changed, and they won 16 of their next 22. One of the reasons the Phillies' dream lasted so long was Bryce Harper, a modern-day legend in MLB. His regular season was not exactly MVP-worthy. However, Harper turned in one of his best performances in the postseason (22 hits, six home runs, and 13 RBI). Although the Phillies could not overtake the Astros, they fully deserve the spot they are in.

What awaits us in the 2023 season?

On March 30, for the first time since 1968, all thirty teams will open their seasons on the same day. Moreover, MLB will enter a new era. We hope that the upcoming rule changes will have the expected positive effect.