The duo competed at Florida together from 2014-16.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When the 2023 Major League Baseball Postseason begins on Tuesday, Oct. 3, two former Gators will be lacing up the spikes for playoff runs in Dane Dunning of the Texas Rangers and A.J. Puk of the Miami Marlins.
Although they will be competing on opposite sides of the postseason bracket, Dunning and Puk suited up together in Orange & Blue for the entirely of their Gators careers from 2014-16. This is the second-career postseason appearance for Dunning and the first-ever for Puk.
The 2023 MLB Postseason gets underway with the American League and National League Wild Card rounds from Oct. 3 through Oct. 5 (if necessary). Dunning’s Rangers face off against the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Wild Card Series while Puk’s Marlins take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Wild Card. All Wild Card matchups air on ESPN Platforms.
The AL and NL Division Series run from Sunday, Oct. 7 to Saturday, Oct. 14 with coverage on FOX, FS1 and TBS. Thereafter, the NL Championship Series and AL Championship Series are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 15 to Tuesday, Oct. 24 on the aforementioned networks.
Game one of the 2023 World Series will be played on Friday, Oct. 27 while a potential game seven (if necessary) would come on Saturday, Nov. 4. The entirety of the World Series airs on FOX.
See below for a complete rundown of Gators in the 2023 MLB Postseason.
Playoff-Bound Gators
RHP Dane Running – Texas Rangers
LHP A.J. Puk – Miami Marlins
Dane Dunning | RHP | Texas Rangers | UF 2014-16
2023: 12-7, 35 G (26 GS), 172 2/3 IP, 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 55 BB, 140 K
Dunning put an exclamation point on a career campaign with one of his best outings in a big-league uniform on Sept. 27. Shutting out the Angels for seven frames, Dunning surrendered just three hits and one walk while striking out seven to earn the victory. In total, the fourth-year hurler has gone 12-7 across 26 starts while setting career highs in appearances (35), innings (172 2/3), strikeouts (140), wins and ERA. His performance helped power Texas to its playoff appearance since 2016.
A.J. Puk | LHP | Miami Marlins | UF 2014-16
2023: 7-5, 15 SV, 58 G, 56 2/3 IP, 3.97 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 13 BB, 78 K
In his first season in Miami after an offseason trade from Oakland, Puk cemented a key role as a member of the Marlins bullpen. Appearing in 58 games this season, the southpaw worked to a 7-5 record, 3.97 ERA and .241 batting average against while delivering 15 saves and two holds. Puk also posted 12.4 strikeouts per nine by fanning 78 batters in 56 2/3 innings.
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