MLB The Show postseason sim: Rangers crowned World Series champs
Before you get mad, remember this is a video game simulation we ran on MLB The Show 23. Also, remember that we called the Atlanta Braves' World Series title in 2021. So, while we're not ready to say the Texas Rangers will go all the way - there's a very real chance they're eliminated in the wild-card round - just know that anything can happen!
Wild-card series
Blue Jays vs. Twins
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Jays | Twins | 5-3 MIN |
| 2 | Blue Jays | Twins | 8-3 TOR |
| 3 | Blue Jays | Twins | 4-3 MIN |
Minnesota scores four runs in the seventh inning of Game 3 to advance. The Twins win a playoff series for the first time since 2002 despite not hitting a home run against the Blue Jays.
Rangers vs. Rays
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | Rays | 4-1 TEX |
| 2 | Rangers | Rays | 9-3 TEX |
Texas receives massive starts from Nathan Eovaldi (8 IP, 13 K) and Jordan Montgomery (7 IP, 1 ER), while the offense pounds out 13 runs over the two games to eliminate Tampa Bay.
Marlins vs. Phillies
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marlins | Phillies | 3-2 MIA |
| 2 | Marlins | Phillies | 3-2 PHI |
| 3 | Marlins | Phillies | 2-0 PHI |
The Phillies survive a low-scoring series with the Marlins to move on. Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos combine to go 4-for-49, but Alec Bohm hits a pair of clutch home runs.
D-Backs vs. Brewers
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D-Backs | Brewers | 3-2 MIL |
| 2 | D-Backs | Brewers | 6-4 ARI |
| 3 | D-Backs | Brewers | 2-1 MIL |
William Contreras drives in Christian Yelich in the 10th inning of Game 3 for the series-clinching hit. Contreras also hits two home runs during the series.
Division Series
Rangers vs. Orioles
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | Orioles | 3-2 TEX |
| 2 | Rangers | Orioles | 13-3 TEX |
| 3 | Orioles | Rangers | 5-4 TEX |
The long layoff appears to kill all the regular-season momentum for the Orioles as they're swept in three games. Texas' offense continues to cruise, outscoring Baltimore 21-9 in the series.
Twins vs. Astros
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twins | Astros | 3-1 MIN |
| 2 | Twins | Astros | 2-1 HOU |
| 3 | Astros | Twins | 7-6 HOU |
| 4 | Astros | Twins | 6-5 HOU |
Houston knocks off Minnesota in four games in what proves to be a tightly contested series. Astros relievers are the difference, as Kendall Graveman, Hector Neris, and Ryan Pressly combine to throw 7 1/3 shutout innings. It's a seventh straight trip to the ALCS for Houston.
Phillies vs. Braves
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phillies | Braves | 7-6 PHI |
| 2 | Phillies | Braves | 6-4 ATL |
| 3 | Braves | Phillies | 9-3 PHI |
| 4 | Braves | Phillies | 10-5 ATL |
| 5 | Phillies | Braves | 11-5 PHI |
The Phillies take the Braves down in the postseason in back-to-back years, capturing a thrilling five-game NLDS. It's an offensive spectacle as we expected, with the teams combining to score 66 runs. Philadelphia's offense rebounds in a big way after a cold opening series, with Bryce Harper's five home runs leading the way.
Brewers vs. Dodgers
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brewers | Dodgers | 2-1 MIL |
| 2 | Brewers | Dodgers | 4-3 LAD |
| 3 | Dodgers | Brewers | 4-2 MIL |
| 4 | Dodgers | Brewers | 11-6 MIL |
The Dodgers end another promising regular season by fizzling out in the playoffs. Brewers rookie Sal Frelick goes off in the series, hitting four homers to go with eight RBIs to help Milwaukee reach the NLCS for the first time since 2018.
League Championship Series
Rangers vs. Astros
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | Astros | 5-2 TEX |
| 2 | Rangers | Astros | 6-0 TEX |
| 3 | Astros | Rangers | 6-4 TEX |
| 4 | Astros | Rangers | 6-2 TEX |
The Rangers are off to a perfect 9-0 to start the postseason after sweeping the Rays, Orioles, and Astros to reach the World Series for the first time since 2011. It's also the first time in three seasons that Houston won't play for a championship. Rookie Josh Jung wins ALCS MVP after going 7-for-18 with eight RBIs.
Phillies vs. Brewers
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phillies | Brewers | 5-4 MIL |
| 2 | Phillies | Brewers | 5-4 MIL |
| 3 | Brewers | Phillies | 5-1 PHI |
| 4 | Brewers | Phillies | 9-4 MIL |
| 5 | Brewers | Phillies | 2-1 PHI |
| 6 | Phillies | Brewers | 8-6 MIL |
Milwaukee makes its second trip to the World Series in franchise history after dispatching Philadelphia in six games. Christian Yelich takes home NLCS MVP honors after going 12-for-23 with one home run and 7 RBIs.
World Series
| Game | Away | Home | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rangers | Brewers | 11-0 TEX |
| 2 | Rangers | Brewers | 5-4 MIL |
| 3 | Brewers | Rangers | 12-2 TEX |
| 4 | Brewers | Rangers | 4-3 MIL |
| 5 | Brewers | Rangers | 13-2 TEX |
| 6 | Rangers | Brewers | 10-0 MIL |
| 7 | Rangers | Brewers | 7-4 TEX |
Texas wins one of the most bizarre World Series in history for the franchise's first title. Adolis Garcia wins MVP after hitting three home runs and driving in 10 runs over the seven games. The Rangers entered the postseason with serious question marks surrounding their pitching staff, but an elite offense carries them to a championship.