Last Updated on March 23, 2023 5:05 pm by Erwin Noguera
After a great World Baseball Classic, the 2023 season of Major League Baseball arrives, which will begin on March 30 and will run until November 4.
After Japan’s triumph against the United States in the WBC, now comes the turn of the North American league. Shohei Ohtani was the figure of the Asians in the world title and is the top candidate to also be the MVP in the American League (+234). It’s Sho time!
The Houston Astros, current champions, are the first in the bets to keep the title again, but the New York Mets are also in that fight and many are already beginning to bet that this would be the World Series.
The regular season will begin on March 30, and for the first time since 1968, all 30 teams will play on the Opening Day. In addition, it is the first time since the modern era of baseball (1903) that all the teams will face each other. In total there will be 162 games for each team in the regular season.
MLB 2023: what you need to know about this season
Regular season: March 30 – October 1
All-Star Game: July 11
Postseason and World Series: October 3 – November 4
In 2023 there will be some changes in Major League Baseball, such as the introduction of a pitch clock, which has several points but in general what it will do is limit the time between each batter and the pitcher’s pitches. Among other rules, the defensive team must have no fewer than four players in infield positions with at least two on each side of second base, the bases are 3 inches larger and the rule of the runner on second base in extra innings is maintained.
Among the special dates for this season is the All-Star Game, which will be played on July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, the two-game series between the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City on April 29 and 30, while the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs will do so in London on June 24 and 25. The MLB Little League Classic will feature the Philadelphia Phillies against the Washington Nationals on August 20, all teams will play on July 4 for Independence Day, and there will be no MLB at Field of Dreams this year.
Favorites to win the World Series
Houston Astros (+600)
As far as the favorites are concerned, as mentioned above, the Houston Astros are the top candidates. In addition to having shown in 2022 that they are a great team, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 and winning the American League pennant for the second consecutive year, they maintained their great base and brought in José Abreu and Matthew Gage. José Altuve will not be at the start after being injured at the World Baseball Classic.
New York Mets (+700)
The New Yorkers arrive very strong this season with the desire to surpass what they did last year, when they lost in the Wild Card of the National League. The Mets recently suffered the loss due to injury to Colombian pitcher José Quintana, for which they had to make changes in the rotation led by Max Scherzer and newcomers Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga, who will make his debut in the MLB. There were 9 players who arrived in these months for a total of $497.1 million dollars, so the owner of the team, Steve Cohen, hopes to see that his investment brings results.
Los Angeles Dodgers (+700)
The Dodgers are always favorites since they are one of the teams with the most money to invest. While they didn’t make the big signings like in other seasons, they have one of the best rotations in the majors with Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin, Noah Syndergaard and Dustin May, as well as Mookie Betts, who is possibly the only player who have his position secured in the field.
New York Yankees (+750)
The most famous baseball team in the world has the best starting rotation with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rondón, Néstor Cortes Jr., Luis Severino and Frankie Montas. In addition to this, they have a very good bullpen and excellent players like Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Trevino, Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu. They are the current champions of the Eastern Division and they have only been missing a small step to reach the World Series, which they have not reached since 2009 when they won.
Surprises
In addition to the favorites, there are some teams that aren’t leading in the polls but can get into the fray.
Philadelphia Phillies (+1600)
Last year they reached the World Series but with the lowest record among the qualified teams. This year they signed Trea Turner who had a fantastic World Baseball Classic, along with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins and some good pitching.
St. Louis Cardinals (+2200)
They are a team that is always in contention and has reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt, plus one of the best (if not the best) third baseman Nolan Arenado and several young players. The unknown in the team is the pitching.
Baltimore Orioles (+5000)
Fast team, full of young players that for years the organization obtained them through changes. Last season they did well but they were unlucky enough to play in the toughest division. This year they can get in if they maintain the level.
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