Which team will have home-field advantage for 2023 World Series? A closer look at all potential matchups
The 2023 World Series continues to draw closer and closer, however, with only a handful of games remaining in both the ALCS and NLCS, there is no clear favorite to advance. On Monday night, there is a realistic chance that fans will be able to see which teams will advance to the finals.
Monday night will be the final time this season that multiple games will be held on the same evening. The Philadelphia Phillies will have the opportunity to close out their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, whereas either the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers will punch their ticket to the 2023 World Series.
Although the playoffs have been one of the most exciting in years, none of the four remaining clubs entered the postseason as a top seed, leaving many wondering which team will have home-field advantage moving forward. Here's a closer look at which teams will hold home-field advantage in each potential matchup.
A look at a potential Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros finals rematch
If the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros both win on Monday night, it will be a rematch of the championship last season. This would be the first finals rematch since the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers battled it out at the end of the 1977-78 season.
"The Phillies and Astros are on the cusp of meeting in the World Series for a second straight season. Here's all the scenarios you need to know on who will hold home field advantage for the Fall Classic. @TheRecordSports @Mfranknfl #RedOctober" - @Bert_Bainbridge
Although the two teams finished with identical records, the Philadelphia Phillies won their regular season series, giving them home-field advantage in the next round. While home-field advantage may not be too much of a factor these days, the crowd in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park may be the best in the MLB.
A look at a potential Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers World Series
All three of the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, and Philadelphia Phillies managed to finish with records of 90-72, so the MLB's tie-breaker rule will be extra important if the Phils are to advance.
However, unlike a potential matchup with the Astros, the Phillies do not hold the advantage over the Texas Rangers. The two teams played only one series during the regular season, which the Rangers won. This series from March 30 - April 2 may ultimately dictate which team will have the advantage in the 2023 World Series.
"When baseball fans say games in April don’t matter, tell that to Phillies fans who won’t have home field advantage against the Rangers (if they win). Phillies losing the series to the rangers first three games of the year determined this" - @TillyKid
A look at a potential Arizona Diamondbacks and Houston Astros/Texas Rangers series
If the Arizona Diamondbacks come back to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies, they will reach the World Series for the first time since 2001. However, if they do in fact advance, they will not be given home-field advantage against either the Houston Astros or the Texas Rangers given their overall season record of 84-78.