MLB Playoff Roundup: October 9th

The postseason continues to advance, and MLB has plenty of interesting series developing. With the Yankees out of the running, we’ll keep you up-to-date on who is making a push for the commissioner’s trophy with daily rundowns of the latest action. Today looks back at the drama developing in the NLDS, with a look ahead to today’s ALDS clashes.

What happened last night?

NLDS Game 2

Atlanta Braves 3, Milwaukee Brewers 0

(Series tied, 1-1)

Excellent pitching has been the calling card of this series — all four starting pitchers have thrown quality games so far. Unfortunately for the Brewers, Brandon Woodruff was outdueled in this match, giving up three runs across six innings compared to Max Fried’s six shutout innings. The trio of Luke Jackson, Tyler Matzek, and Will Smith were able to take the ball from Fried and complete the shutout. Austin Riley had the big blow, demolishing a two-run home run in the sixth inning to give Atlanta some unnecessary but appreciated insurance.

NLDS Game 2

Los Angeles Dodgers 9, San Francisco Giants 2

(Series tied, 1-1)

It was the Dodgers’ turn to dominate their rivals, evening the series out with a four-run sixth and a three-run eighth inning. Kevin Gausman wasn’t able to match Logan Webb’s performance, stumbling early and getting tagged for four runs. Former Yankee farmhand Zack Littell allowed the second surge of Dodger runs to come across, and put the game well out of reach. Los Angeles heads home having stolen a game on the road with Max Scherzer lined up to start Game 3 — that’s a strong opening from them.

What’s on deck?

ALDS Game 3

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
(Drew Rasmussen vs. Nathan Eovaldi)

Time: 4:07 p.m. EST

TV: MLB Network

Venue: Fenway Park

The Rays looked like the clearly-superior team for the first 12-13 innings of this series, but the Red Sox turned Game 2 from a disaster into a blowout. Now they’ve got their de facto ace in Eovaldi on the mound facing a guy that the Rays threw at the wall and were pleased to find that he stuck. Rasmussen has all of one inning of postseason experience, thanks to his brief appearance with Milwaukee last year, but he’s been solid for the Rays in a short stint.

Boston has a chance to take a decisive advantage in this series if they can back up Eovaldi, and having J.D. Martinez back in the lineup helps that cause tremendously (he homered as part of the comeback on Friday). It’s unlikely that they put up 14 runs on the Rays again, but it’ll be tough for Tampa’s pitching staff to stifle Boston’s lineup like they did in Game 1 either. Expect some fireworks in Fenway tonight.

ALDS Game 3

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox
(Luis Garcia vs. Dylan Cease)

Time: 8:07 p.m. EST

TV: FS1

Venue: Guaranteed Rate Field

It’s a bit early to talk disappointments of the postseason, but among the remaining teams? It has to be the White Sox — they haven’t looked very competitive at all with the Astros. Chicago’s aces didn’t manage to hold off Houston’s lethal lineup for long enough, and the bullpen was particularly atrocious in Game 2, setting the stage for a potential Astros sweep in enemy territory. This is the only series where a sweep is on the table, and the way things have gone, it would be a bit of a surprise if that isn’t what happens. The White Sox have the offensive firepower to make a big comeback, but if the pitching doesn’t step it up, then their season will be over in the blink of an eye.