2023 MLB Wild Card odds: Why each team can win their series

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Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) greets catcher Jonah Heim, facing, as they celebrate clinching a playoff berth after a 6-1 win over the Seattle Mariners in a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

An MLB postseason without a New York team or the Boston Red Sox or St. Louis Cardinals doesn’t come around all too often, which should provide a moment or two for the neutral baseball fan to relish the 2023 playoffs. 

The Wild Card Series is underway and with it comes gargantuan matchups that include the defending National League champions, a team that led the powerhouse AL West for most of the season, and a couple of potential Cinderella stories in rare postseason appearances.

MLB Wild Card Series previews

AL: Tampa Bay Rays (-160) vs. Texas Rangers (+135)

Why the Rays are favored: This is as complete a team that’s in the postseason field. Not only do the Rays own the fourth-best offense in baseball, but their bullpen is ranked No. 2 in the American League and their starting rotation is comparable to Texas’ impressive unit.

Why the Rangers can win: The Rangers’ offense has the third-best OPS against right-handed pitching in baseball. Adolis Garcia, Corey Seager, and Marcus Semien are one of the more imposing power-hitting trios in the league. If they can make the Rays’ bullpen a non-factor, their chances exponentially improve. 

AL: Minnesota Twins (-115) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (-105)

Why the Twins are favored: This is an odd notion to write about considering the Twins entered the postseason losing 18 straight postseason contests. But they led the American League with 233 home runs this season and recorded the most strikeouts by pitchers. They’re also getting hot at the right time. They had the best September record in the league and so was their plus-74 run differential. 

Why…