Wildcard teams have made the World Series in each of the last two years. In 2022, as a six seed, the Phillies made the World Series and lost to the Houston Astros in six games. In 2023, both teams to make the World Series, the Rangers and the Diamondbacks, were wildcard teams. Let’s take a look at the best wildcard teams in MLB history.
As the National League’s fourth seed in the 2019 MLB playoffs, the young core of the Washington Nationals went on to win the World Series. The Nationals roster blossomed faster than most thought they would. Additionally, this team peaked at the right time. Washington’s high-powered offense took down the two best teams in baseball in 2019, the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and the Houston Astros in the World Series. The team’s high-powered offense was led by Trae Turner, Juan Soto, and Anthony Rendon. All three players soon left the team when the Nationals didn’t pay them, and the team regressed drastically. The 2019 World Series MVP was Stephen Strasburg, the most proven talent the Nationals had on their roster.
The 2023 Texas Rangers won the World Series, defeating another wildcard team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Rangers had a 90-72 record in the regular season, losing the division to the Astros by tiebreakers. The Rangers swept their first two series in the playoffs before knocking off their division rivals, the Houston Astros, in game seven of the ALCS. Marcus Semien and Corey Seager were the catalysts for the Rangers offense and made up the best middle infield in the MLB. Additionally, the Rangers had exceptional pitching, led by future hall of famer Max Scherzer. The American League, five seed, went on to win the World Series in five games. Although this playoff run was extremely impressive, it is equally impressive that the Rangers did this without their massive offseason acquisition, Jacob DeGrom, who was injured for the majority of the regular season and the entirety of the playoffs.
In 2014, the Giants won their third World Series title since 2010. Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum were San Francisco’s two ace pitchers and led this team throughout their playoff run. Additionally, the Giants offense was led by legends such as: Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval. The Giants were the fifth seed in the National League and defeated the four-seed Kansas City Royals in the World Series in seven games. Bumbgardner went on to win the World Series MVP. Bumbgardner was the only pitcher to win the World Series MVP during the Giants dominant reign.
In 2003, the Marlins again entered the playoffs as the wildcard team in the National League, as the Braves won over 100 games. In the Marlins playoff run, they beat two teams that won 100 or more regular season games, the Giants and the Yankees. Marlins’ relief pitcher Josh Beckett won the World Series MVP award, an extremely impressive feat given that this award is not often given to relievers. This marked the second time the Marlins won the World Series as the Wildcard team. Moreover, this was the Marlins second time winning the World Series since being added to the MLB in 1993.
As the only National League wildcard team, the 1997 Marlins took the postseason by storm. Although the Marlins were a very talented roster, winning 92 games in the regular season, they were massive underdogs heading into the playoffs. Their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves, won 101 games in the regular season and were the obvious choice to hold the 1997 World Series trophy. However, the Marlins took down the Braves in the NLCS and beat the Indians in seven games to win their first World Series in team history. What is even more impressive is that the Marlins had only just become an MLB team, their first season being in 1993. Marlins ace pitcher Liván Hernández was the 1997 World Series MVP.
______
WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Shortstop Edgar Renteria of the Florida Marlins celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single to win the 1997 Major League Baseball World Series. (Photo by Bob Rosato/MLB via Getty Images)
