There’s just something magical about playoff baseball.
Teams have to go through a long grind of 162 games, and it’s sometimes difficult for a collective crowd to get amped about a game in the middle of August. But once October comes around, it’s a completely different ballgame.
We’ve seen that thus far in the postseason.
Though the perception of home-field advantage has been tested in these playoffs, one team in particular has stood out with raucous atmospheres at home (any guesses?). But let’s take a look at all the postseason crowds from the 2023 playoffs. Note that the Blue Jays and Marlins did not host any home games, so they were not included in the list.
10
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays hosted two of the lowest-attended games in MLB postseason history — the smallest non-2020 season crowd since 1919. It was an embarrassment. Even the announcers were making jokes.
First pitch. The TROP pic.twitter.com/xzLpiT4xxU
— RaysFanGio (@RaysFanGio) October 3, 2023
9
Los Angeles Dodgers
Really, credit to the D-backs here. They were going against a notoriously late-arriving crowd and went on to outscore the Dodgers by a combined nine runs in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. That crushed any hope the Dodgers had of getting their fans into the game.
Why isn’t the crowd on their feet yelling and cheering right now? Come on Dodger Stadium. Be loud.
— Michele C (@mcheno) October 10, 2023
8
Milwaukee Brewers
Nothing takes the juice out of a home crowd quite like blowing two straight leads in playoff games. So, you can’t really blame Brewers fans here. The crowd had its moments, but the D-backs did their part to quiet the fans in a wild-card sweep.
#Postseason (Taylor's version) pic.twitter.com/oywRvxj2sU
— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2023
7
Arizona Diamondbacks
Chase Field was dead until the D-backs erupted with a four-homer third inning to finish off a sweep of the Dodgers. Unsurprisingly, the stadium came alive from that point on. Like the Rangers, the D-backs have made their deep playoff run with only one home game.
LIVE LOOK AT WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE A DIAMONDBACKS FAN AT CHASE FIELD RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/7MGC6q2mDQ
— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) October 12, 2023
6
Texas Rangers
This isn’t a knock against the Rangers fans. Like the D-backs, the team has just done almost all of their postseason work thus far on the road. The scene for ALDS Game 3 at Globe Life Field was rocking, though.
MADNESS here at Globe Life Field!!!! @Rangers pic.twitter.com/cHhJMcxlSj
— Robbie Fuelling (@RobbieFuelling) October 11, 2023
5
Houston Astros
It might be because the Astros have been here so often in recent years, but the crowd at Minute Maid Park almost takes these postseason runs for granted. It’s not a bad atmosphere, but teams aren’t fearing trips to Houston — as we just saw with the Rangers’ 2-0 start in the ALCS.
Notice the crowd in the back sitting down:
Jose Altuve knew how to get the Minute Maid Park crowd going early in #ALDS Game 1. 🔊 pic.twitter.com/6ELRUCaGfr
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2023
It’s not like that in Philly.
4
Atlanta Braves
Just like the Orioles, the Braves didn’t give their fans at Truist Park much to cheer about until the final few innings of Game 2. While the atmosphere at Game 1 was noticeably subdued from the start, the fans did their part as the Braves rallied in Game 2. Those two games were all the postseason action the Braves would see at home this year after a dismal trip to Philly.
SOUND ON! 📢#AsOneATL pic.twitter.com/xOlIvI3zi1
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 10, 2023
3
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles went into the postseason with the best record in the American League only to get thoroughly embarrassed by the Rangers. But you can’t blame the crowd at Camden Yards for that. They understood the assignment at the Orioles’ first ALDS appearance since 2014.
The scene at Camden Yards 🤩🧡 pic.twitter.com/BTSFfBdxWz
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 7, 2023
2
Minnesota Twins
Twins fans waited 21 years to win a playoff series, and the scenes at Target Field were incredible during that wild-card round with the Blue Jays. The fans didn’t let day games quiet the atmosphere one bit. The Twins just happened to run into an Astros team with too much experience in the postseason when the ALDS came around.
Target Field is shaking. pic.twitter.com/tTjP1ThJXs
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) October 3, 2023
1
Philadelphia Phillies
The gap between the environment at Citizens Bank Park and the rest of the playoff field is almost absurd if we’re being honest. Sure, the Phillies have given their fans plenty to cheer about this postseason, but that crowd has been electric from the opening pitch and onward in every game. It’s the only crowd that has left teams visibly rattled this postseason, and their fans take pride in that.
Here is what 111 decibels sounds like. 🔊 pic.twitter.com/C8rMQCOgjL
— MLB (@MLB) October 17, 2023
Also, what a vibe.
The Philly crowd singing Bryson Stott’s walk up song well after the music stops is pretty fantastic. pic.twitter.com/6CiXHJqvmQ
— Nick King (@NickKingSports) October 17, 2023
