Home runs dominated in this year's MLB postseason
Long ago, Hall of Famers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine established that "chicks dig the long ball." However, winning clubs during the 2023 postseason were also big fans.
The World Series Champion Texas Rangers benefited greatly from deep flies, as did virtually everyone else. According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, teams that out-homered their opponents went 25-4. Furthermore, roughly half (49.1 percent) of runs scored in the playoffs were home runs, up from 46.8 percent in 2022.
During their remarkable run to the title, the Rangers hit 30 home runs total, finishing only four short of tying the 2020 Tampa Bay Rays (34) for the postseason record. Meanwhile, star outfielder Adolis Garcia and World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager etched their names in the history books.
Despite having his World Series cut short by an oblique injury, Garcia went deep eight times, tied for the second-most all-time behind Randy Arozarena (10, 2020) and set the record for RBI (22).
Seager not only earned MVP honors in the Fall Classic for a second time but became the first shortstop to hit three or more home runs during a single World Series. The 29-year-old now has 19 career postseason home runs, trailing only Derek Jeter (20) for the most ever by an SS.
Conversely, the Rangers' World Series opponent, the Arizona Diamondbacks, also raked in the postseason. The Snakes received 12 homers from players 23 years old or younger, the most in postseason history.
However, as a team, they suffered a power outage in the World Series, which may have swung things in the Rangers' favor. Arizona hit .270 as a team, but only three balls traveled over the outfield fence compared to eight for the Rangers.
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