On Wednesday, Major League Baseball (MLB) announced their 2023 regular season schedule. During their announcement, they revealed that all 30 teams will be playing against each other during the season. This is the first time this will take place in modern MLB history. As a result, I decided to scroll through the schedule and list the top five series I’m most excited about for next season. So, without further ado, here’s my list.

5. Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros (April 21-23)

A rematch of the 2021 World Series starts my list. Both teams are evenly matched, as their combination of batting, pitching, and fielding are very similar. As batters, Atlanta is currently third in runs per game (4.98), second in home runs (HR) with 191, third in runs batted in (RBI) with 608, and first in total bases (1,946) in the MLB. Meanwhile, Houston is currently eighth in runs per game (4.54), fourth in HR (170), eighth in RBI (565), and seventh in total bases (1,806). As pitchers, Atlanta is currently fourth in wins (79), tied for fifth in earned run average (ERA) at 3.55, first in saves (43), first in strikeouts (1,223), and ninth in walks + hits allowed per inning (WHIP) at 1.213. On the other hand, Houston is currently third in wins (81), second in ERA (3.05), tied for fourth in saves (38), fourth in strikeouts (1,148), and third in WHIP (1.117). Finally, as fielders, Atlanta is currently tied for second in fielding percentage (.988), while Houston is currently tied for sixth (.987).

With two evenly matched teams, in addition to players like Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Justin Verlander, Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Max Fried, this should be a fun, competitive series to watch.

4. San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners (August 8-9)

This matchup pits two of my trade deadline winners against each other. This series could very well be a low scoring series, as both teams possess good pitching staffs. So far, San Diego is eighth in wins (70), 10th in ERA (3.74), third in saves (39), sixth in strikeouts (1,132), and tied with Seattle for seventh in WHIP (1.206). Meanwhile, Seattle is currently tied for ninth in wins (69) and seventh in ERA (3.61).

In addition to both team’s pitching prowess, neither lacks star power. San Diego made the biggest acquisitions of the 2022 trade deadline by adding closer Josh Hader and outfielder Juan Soto. They joined third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (currently serving a 80-game suspension for violating PED rules). Tatis Jr. should be eligible to play by the time this series takes place. For Seattle, their acquisition of starting pitcher Luis Castillo bolstered a staff with pitchers Robbie Ray and Logan Gilbert, and complemented a lineup containing All-Star first baseman Ty France and budding outfielder Julio Rodríguez.

In what should be another close series, I’m most intrigued by the matchup between Rodríguez and Soto. After battling it out in this year’s HR Derby, they’re currently battling at the negotiation table. On Friday, Rodríguez signed a 14-year contract extension where he could possibly make $470 million by the end of the deal. Before the trade deadline, Soto declined a 15-year, $440 million extension from the Washington Nationals. Watching this matchup between these two young stars will be a treat for baseball fans in 2023 and beyond.

3. San Francisco Giants vs. New York Yankees (March 30-April 2)

Before the analysis, I will admit that this is the most volatile part of the list. This is because my intrigue can increase or decrease off of one decision: where Aaron Judge decides to play baseball next year. While teams like the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers will be brought up in the offseason, I think the top two teams for Judge’s services currently are the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. The Yankees are his current team and have the economic power to re-sign him, and the Giants should have plenty of cap space, as they are currently estimated to only have $104 million in payroll in 2023 (the Competitive Balance Tax is estimated to be at $233 million). If San Francisco signs Judge, this could easily be the number one most intriguing series for me, as the first time he would face New York as an opponent would be Opening Day 2023 (March 30) in Yankee Stadium. If Judge doesn’t sign with either team, this could easily fall into “Honorable Mention” territory.

Based on their current trajectories, New York and San Francisco are polar opposites. The Yankees are currently 78-49 and lead their division by 8.5 games, while the Giants are 61-64 and 7.5 games out of the final wild card spot. Also, the Yankees are loaded with stars (more on that later) while San Francisco has notable players, but no real household names. As a result, the offseason will determine how intriguing this matchup is to me. Between Judge and pitcher Carlos Rodón (who could opt out this offseason and create a bidding war), both teams will likely be involved with each player, and the results could create an intriguing Opening Day series.

2. New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (July 14-16)

In what could very easily be this year’s National League Championship Series (NLCS), the Mets and Dodgers meet the same criteria as matchups four and five on my list. As batters, the Mets are currently fifth in runs per game (4.74) and RBI (576), and tied for ninth in total bases (1,774), while the Dodgers are first in runs per game (5.40), fifth in HR (166), first in RBI (643), and second in total bases (1,933). As a pitching staff, New York is currently second in wins (82), tied for fifth in ERA (3.55), second in strikeouts (1,207), tied for eighth in saves (36), and fifth in WHIP (1.191), while LA is first in wins (87) and ERA (2.86), ninth in strikeouts (1,114), and first in WHIP (1.053).

Also, like matchups four and five, both teams don’t lack in the star department. The Mets are led by pitchers Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, shortstop Francisco Lindor, and All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, while the Dodgers are led by outfielder Mookie Betts, shortstop Trea Turner, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and pitchers Walker Buehler (currently on the 60-day injured list) and Clayton Kershaw. With the production, stardom, and financial might between both teams (hedge fund manager Steve Cohen bought the Mets in 2022), this matchup should be one to watch for years to come.

1. New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (June 2-4)

Aaron Judge. Mookie Betts. Gerrit Cole. Walker Buehler. Giancarlo Stanton. Freddie Freeman. These are only a few of the many stars that both teams possess. This level of star quality, the potential of a World Series preview, and geography makes Yankees-Dodgers the top matchup I’m intrigued for in 2023.

While the star power is the attraction, the substance from both teams is there. While the Dodgers have been prolific so far (see matchup two for their stats), it wasn’t too long ago that the Yankees were the team expected to run away with the best record in the MLB. Behind Judge, the American League MVP frontrunner, the Yankees are currently second in runs per game (5.03), first in HR (200), second in RBI (609), and fourth in total bases (1,825). Behind Cole and All-Star Nestor Cortes Jr., New York is currently fifth in wins (78), third in ERA (3.29), tied for fourth in saves (38), fifth in strikeouts (1,137), and second in WHIP (1.103).

We could very well see both of these teams in the World Series this season. If that happens, this series will be even more intriguing to watch. However, even without this hypothetical, Yankees-Dodgers will be must see in 2023.

What series are you excited to see in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments below!