2023 MLB Wild Card Round Betting Odds and Series Predictions

On Tuesday, October 3, the MLB Wild Card Round opens with four Game 1 matchups as the “boys of summer” begin the stretch run to the 2023 World Series.  

Six Wild Card teams will enter the 2023 MLB Wild Card Series. The lowest-seeded division winners are assigned Wild Card round matchups against the lowest-seeded Wild Card clubs from the AL and NL.

The MLB Wild Card round features four series, two in the American League and two in the National League. We are examining the latest MLB Wild Card odds and revealing our best picks to bet on at the top MLB betting sites.

2023 MLB Wild Card Round Schedule

The 2023 MLB Wild Card Series begins on Tuesday and concludes on Thursday, October 5. MLB Wild Card round games will broadcast live on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2.

The times and channels remain the same for Game 1, Game 2, and Game 3 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

MLB Wild Card Series Matchup Times and TV:

• 3:08 p.m. EST (ABC) – Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
• 4:38 p.m. EST (ESPN) – Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins
• 7:08 p.m. EST (ESPN2) – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers
• 8:08 p.m. EST (ESPN) – Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Wild Card Round Odds

The following 2023 MLB Wild Card Series odds are courtesy of BetUS:

The Tampa Bay Rays failed to win the race to the finish line in the AL East. It was a fantastic effort by the Baltimore Orioles to exceed everyone’s expectations and win the division.

The Rays fell short by two games to the Orioles, as they went 99-63 for the second-best record in the AL East this season. It was also the second-best record in the American League. The Orioles and Rays were by far the most successful clubs.

However, will the Rays feel the impact of Wander Franco’s absence? On August 22, MLB placed Franco on administrative leave after reports of an inappropriate relationship with a minor¹.

In addition to Franco, Cy Young hopeful Shane McClanahan has been out for over a month. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, McClanahan is preparing for a spring return and not for the Fall Classic.

In the Rays’ favor, this team has enough depth to make a run in the postseason. There are underrated hitters throughout the lineup. Isaac Paredes and Randy Arozarena are expected to play crucial roles for the Rays.

The Texas Rangers just missed out on receiving a free ticket to the Division Series. With a record of 90-72, the Houston Astros won the tiebreaker over the Rangers in the AL West. We know that the Rangers can hit, but do they have the pitching?

Rangers vs. Rays Wild Card Round Picks

After Marcus Semien had a slow start to his career with the Rangers in 2022, there was some hesitation from Rangers fans regarding their new acquisition. That feels like a long time ago, as Semien has played a leading role in the lineup.

In 2023, the Rangers ranked in the Top 5 in batting average and home runs in the regular season. As a team, the Rangers hit .263 with 233 home runs. Additionally, the Rangers finished in the Top 5 in RBIs².

The Rangers appear to have the advantage with their offense, but we can successfully argue that the Rays are the more balanced club. They can win a pitching duel or a high-scoring affair.

The Rays are fifth in batting average and sixth in home runs. And, while the Rangers have a slight advantage offensively, they do not possess as much depth as the Rays’ pitching staff.

Tyler Glasnow, Aaron Civale, and Zach Eflin were not Cy Young candidates, but they were consistently efficient. In the regular season, the Rays were fifth with a team ERA of 3.84. Conversely, the Rangers finished 19th with a 4.30 ERA, with Nathan Eovaldi as their No. 1 option³.

In what should be tight games in this series, the Rays’ pitching will be the deciding factor. Also, the Rays were the best team in the American League at home. In 2023, the Dodgers were the only other team in baseball to win 53 games at home⁴.

We like the Rays to edge out the Rangers in a three-game series at Tropicana Field.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins Wild Card Round Odds

The following 2023 MLB Wild Card Series odds are courtesy of BetUS:

The Toronto Blue Jays limped into the postseason, but they crossed the finish line before the Seattle Mariners. Despite losing on Saturday and Sunday, the Blue Jays clinched a postseason berth due to the Mariners’ loss versus the Rangers on Saturday.

As we’ve said before, the Blue Jays are a hot and cold team. Which team will show up at Target Field? When the Blue Jays are hot, they have the talent to beat any team in baseball.

The Twins are in the MLB Wild Card round after winning the AL Central, but well behind the Orioles and Astros. They were the only team in the AL Central to finish above .500.

It was the worst division in baseball, with the Tigers’ 78-84 record good for second. The Twins benefited from playing in the AL Central, though they might be one of the most underrated squads going into the postseason.

However, there is reason to be concerned with the Twins against the Blue Jays. If the home run ball isn’t working, the Twins revert to being a rather ordinary team. They lived and died by the long ball.

10 players on the Twins connected for at least 14 home runs. Overall, the Twins finished third in the majors with 233 this season. Nevertheless, a team batting average of .243 puts the Twins well below the league average⁵.

Blue Jays vs. Twins Wild Card Round Picks

The Blue Jays and Twins had two of the most underrated pitching staffs in baseball.

Toronto posted an ERA of 3.78 for the fourth-best ERA in baseball, while the Twins finished sixth with a 3.87 ERA⁶. Not many teams can have the luxury of having a pitcher like Hyun-jin Ryu deep in their rotation.

The Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman had among the best Cy Young odds in the American League. Gerrit Cole pulled away, but Gausman held his own for the Jays. He hasn’t allowed a run in his previous six innings of work to finish with a 3.16 ERA and 1.18 WHIP⁷.

Gausman as an underdog, is always worth a look at sports betting sites. With the Twins a favorite home at Target Field, Gausman will have attractive MLB Wild Card round odds in a small upset.

The Blue Jays didn’t hit as many home runs as the Twins, but they had a well-balanced approach at the plate. Entering the postseason, the Blue Jays are in the Top 10 in batting average and OBP.

As one of the best value bets at World Series betting sites, the Jays are a top Wild Card bet at plus money.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers Wild Card Odds

The following 2023 MLB Wild Card Series odds are courtesy of BetUS:

The Arizona Diamondbacks did just enough to squeak into the MLB postseason. They were in a heated battle down the stretch with the Cubs for the last seed. The Padres got hot down the stretch to almost steal this spot.

However, in the end, the Diamondbacks held on to grab the final seed in the NL Wild Card Series. The Diamondbacks are heading to Milwaukee on a four-game skid. Houston jumped all over the Diamondbacks for a three-game sweep over the weekend.

The Arizona offense needs a good kick-start to get going in the postseason. They’ve been lifeless at the plate since a 15-4 win over the White Sox. The Diamondbacks have scored just seven runs in five games since battering the White Sox pitchers for 15 runs.

Through their previous four outings, the Diamondbacks have scored one run in each game. This is a young team with a young leader in the spotlight. Corbin Carroll is in the clear for the NL Rookie of the Year, but there is plenty of weight on his shoulders to excel in the playoffs.

The 23-year-old has a promising career ahead of himself. In 565 at-bats, Carroll hit .285 with 25 home runs and 76 RBIs. He has also swiped 54 stolen bases for one of the most memorable MLB rookie seasons ever⁸.

Despite his best efforts, the Diamondbacks were only 14th, with 4.63 runs scored per game⁹. This is slightly better than the Brewers, but they have an elite pitching staff. The Diamondbacks do not have the arms to hand with the Brewers on the bump.

Diamondbacks vs. Brewers Wild Card Round Picks

The Brewers are bringing one of the most polished with them to the postseason. In the regular season, they led MLB with an ERA of 3.71 and a 1.19 WHIP.

The starting rotation and bullpen were equally responsible for the positive results. With an ERA of 3.40, the Brewers’ bullpen had the second-best numbers in MLB.

Additionally, the Brewers had the best ERA in baseball through the month of September, with an ERA of 2.77¹⁰. As the D-backs enter the postseason cold at the plate, this was not the matchup that they wanted to see against the Brewers.

Conversely, the Diamondbacks were well below average on the mound this season. They had the 20th-best ERA in MLB. Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta are superior options over the Diamondbacks’ hitters.

This looks like a mismatch in favor of the Brew Crew over the Snakes. Consider making the Brewers as part of your MLB betting strategy for the Wild Card round.

Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies Wild Card Odds

The following 2023 MLB Wild Card Series odds are courtesy of BetUS:

Two familiar foes square off in the NL Wild Card round in primetime. The Marlins and Phillies of the NL East were evenly matched this season, with the Marlins going 7-6 in 13 games¹¹.

On Saturday, the Marlins blasted the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 7-3 final to clinch a spot in the postseason. It was the Marlins’ third straight win before dropping a 9-1 final to the Bucs to wrap up the regular season.

The Marlins will bring a three-pitcher rotation into the Wild Card round. Due to injuries, the Marlins will trot out Jesus Luzaro, Braxton Garrett, and Edward Cabrera for the best-of-three series. 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara remains on the IL with forearm tightness.

Do the Marlins have enough pitching to stop the Phillies? As a team, the Marlins are mediocre on the mound. They are 16th in MLB, with an ERA of 4.22 and a 1.29 WHIP. If the starters run into issues, the Marlins could be in deep trouble.

In 158 games, the Marlins’ bullpen yielded an ERA of 4.38 for 21st in the majors. This is in stark contrast to the Phillies’ superior ERA of 3.56 from their relievers. If the Marlins had a fully healthy pitching staff, we’d probably be more confident in this club.

However, that is not the reality for the Marlins. In addition to losing Alcántara to the IL, right fielder Jorge Soler has been dealing with injuries.

Marlins vs. Phillies Wild Card Round Picks

The Marlins can’t afford to let this series drag on to three games. They have to strike early and often. Sweep the Phillies and move on to the Division Series. However, that is not how we see this one playing out.

Out of the eight Wild Card teams, the Marlins are the worst on the road. In the 2023 campaign, the Marlins have gone just 38-42 on the road.

They are 28th, with 313 runs scored on the road this season¹². In a tough setting like Citizens Bank Park, the Marlins should not go without issues in Philadelphia.

Home-field advantage in this series should prove to give the Phillies a significant lift. At home this season, the Phillies were in the Top 10 in runs, home runs, and batting average. Expect to see Bryce Harper igniting the crowd into a frenzy at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies might need to win a couple of close games, but they should prevail over the Marlins. Experience and the home-field park in Philadelphia ultimately provide the Phillies with what they need to advance to the next round.