What to look at in Wednesday’s playoff-impacting showdowns

It is not usually that we get a remaining week of the MLB common season with this a lot at stake — and with this lots of the groups within the combine taking part in one another. In contrast to over the weekend, a number of of this week’s head-to-head matchups function video games with groups battling for a playoff spot, preventing for playoff seeding or just attempting to remain alive.

All of which meant Tuesday night time was the largest night time of the baseball season — to this point anyway. Now that we’re within the remaining days, it creates a playoff-like, must-win depth to those video games. Some knock the expanded playoffs, and it is a affordable argument that too many groups get in, however it offers us a enjoyable few nights of must-watch TV.

On Tuesday, I began the night targeted on the Mets-Braves showdown in Atlanta however ended up flipping to numerous video games. I tuned in to MLB Community’s “MLB Massive Inning” (which broadcasts 4 video games concurrently), had different video games on my telephone (Mariners-Astros, Angels-White Sox) then closed out the night time with Padres-Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

The most effective half is, we’ll do all of it once more Wednesday. (Catch the highlights on ESPN2’s “Squeeze Play” present from 7 to 10:30 p.m. ET.) Listed below are one of the best matchups forward of us, plus what we realized from Tuesday’s video games.

Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros (2:10 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The Astros clinched the American League West title with their win Tuesday, and so they’re locked in to host a wild-card collection because the third seed. The Mariners nonetheless have a slim likelihood of a wild-card spot, however they should win — and get some assist.

What occurred Tuesday: The Mariners entered the day 1½ video games behind Detroit and Kansas Metropolis, however that was actually 2½ video games again as a result of they lose the tiebreaker to each groups. (As die-hard Mariners followers will bear in mind, they do not maintain the tiebreaker in opposition to Kansas Metropolis as a result of they misplaced a sport in June through which they led 8-0.)

They beat the Astros on Monday and led this sport 3-1 with ace Logan Gilbert on the mound, however they misplaced it when the Astros’ Jason Heyward — just lately picked up after the Dodgers let him go and solely taking part in as a result of Yordan Alvarez is resting a sore knee — popped a go-ahead, two-run residence run within the backside of the fifth.

The Mariners had their probabilities. Second and third, one out within the sixth — could not rating. First and third, one out within the eighth — could not rating. Josh Hader got here on for a four-out save and struck out three batters, together with Julio Rodriguez to finish it. In a season through which they weren’t all that nice, the Astros gained their seventh division title in eight years.

I received a textual content from a Mariners fan buddy after the loss (an extended screed that I will not repeat right here). Then he despatched a publish pointing this out: “Division titles since John Fisher — arguably the worst present in main American skilled sports activities — purchased the Oakland A’s: Oakland 4, Seattle 0.”

Baseball ain’t straightforward, particularly in the event you’re a Mariners fan.

What to look at Wednesday A terrific matchup right here between George Kirby and Yusei Kikuchi. Kirby is coming off back-to-back gems in opposition to Texas, however Kikuchi has been even hotter: The Astros have gained all 9 of his begins since selecting him up from the Blue Jays on the commerce deadline.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers (6:40 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The Tigers management their very own future as they give the impression of being to make the playoffs for the primary time since 2016.

What occurred Tuesday: It is all the time enjoyable when an out-of-nowhere workforce makes the playoffs. However what’s superb in regards to the Tigers is that they have been out of it — deader than Bernie — simply 5 weeks in the past. They have been 55-63 on Aug. 10, 11 video games behind the Twins and 10 video games behind the Royals. They’re 28-11 since then, greatest within the majors, and have allowed simply 116 runs, lower than three per sport.

This sport was moved to the afternoon on account of anticipated rain in Detroit, and the inevitable occurred: The Tigers gained, as a result of Tarik Skubal began. He allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings. He is 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and he will win the AL Cy Younger Award. (My greatest prediction of the season: Skubal profitable the Cy Younger Award.) Beau Brieske gave up a two-out residence run within the ninth however pitched two innings for his first save of the season. A.J. Hinch continues to tug all the suitable strings with guys equivalent to Brieske, Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Jason Foley, Will Vest — an absolute no-name bullpen that has been terrific of late.

I used to be a bit stunned on Monday when the Tigers designated Shelby Miller for task and known as up high prospect Jackson Jobe. It appears like dangerous mojo to chop a veteran reliever who had been with the workforce your entire season within the remaining days, however the good vibes are so robust proper now in Detroit, I suppose it does not matter.

What to look at Wednesday: Rookie Keider Montero begins for Detroit. He gave up 4 residence runs in his final begin in opposition to the Orioles however had back-to-back scoreless outings earlier than that, together with a complete-game shutout through which he confronted the minimal 27 batters. Might we see the flame-throwing Jobe make his MLB debut in reduction?

Kansas City Royals vs. Washington Nationals (6:45 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: Every week in the past, the Royals regarded like they might begin printing playoff tickets. Now they’re desperately attempting to carry off the fading Twins and attain the postseason for the primary time for the reason that World Collection title in 2015.

What occurred Tuesday: The Royals started the day tied with Tigers for the second and third wild playing cards, with the Twins a sport behind. Okay.C. had misplaced seven in a row, together with three to the Tigers, had scored 4 runs of their previous 5 video games and have been coming off consecutive shutout losses to the Giants. These sorts of dropping streaks, when the offense simply cannot do something, are simply as powerful to take as these when the bullpen blows a bunch of late leads. It feels such as you’re by no means going to attain once more.

And once more, the Royals did not rating for 9 innings. Cole Ragans and the bullpen stored the Nationals off the scoreboard. That is when CJ Abrams might need saved the Royals’ season (as certainly one of my editors would put it in a textual content). Wait, what? Abrams wasn’t even within the ballpark (long story). With a ghost runner on second, Bobby Witt Jr. hit a slower chopper to shortstop Nasim Nunez, taking part in for the demoted Abrams, and he double clutched on the throw after which threw it away. The run scored. The official scorer gave Witt a really beneficiant hit and an error on the throw, so Witt added to his MLB-best common with runners in scoring place. Within the backside of the inning, Joey Gallo (sure, he is on the Nationals) simply missed a walk-off residence run off a Lucas Erceg hanger, the ball curling about 10 ft foul, practically giving Royals followers a coronary heart assault. Erceg then received the strikeout. Whew.

What to look at Wednesday: Michael Lorenzen is off the IL after a hamstring harm and making his first begin for the Royals since Aug. 27. A commerce deadline pickup, he was 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA in 5 begins with Okay.C. However can the Royals rating a run? The offense has gone three straight video games with out scoring a non-ghost runner and 6 straight video games with out hitting a house run.

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees (7:05 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The Yankees are battling the Cleveland Guardians for the highest seed within the AL — and have a shot on the high total seed as properly. The Orioles are in however seeking to lock up the fourth seed and home-field benefit for the wild-card collection.

What occurred Tuesday: Aaron Judge blasted his 56th residence run, however the Orioles gained and earned a playoff spot (formally clinching when the Twins misplaced). The most important play of the sport got here within the backside of the seventh, when Juan Soto singled on a line drive to attain one run to make it 4-3. Gleyber Torres, on second base, held up at third, however Soto dashed for second on the throw residence. Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman threw right down to second, Torres took off for residence and Torres was caught in a rundown — a 9-2-6-2-5 putout. Properly executed by the Orioles, however the Yankees have had these sorts of blunders all season, and so they’re the form of errors that would loom massive in October.

What to look at Wednesday: Zach Eflin goes for the Orioles, and he is been stellar for them: 5-2, 2.31 ERA in eight begins. He is additionally been very efficient in opposition to Aaron Decide, who’s 3-for-17 off Eflin with 10 strikeouts and one stroll (everywhere in the previous two seasons).

New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves (7:20 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The Mets are a half-game forward of the Arizona Diamondbacks for second wild-card spot. The Braves are a half sport behind the Diamondbacks for the third.

What occurred Tuesday: This felt like the largest sport of the night time, and a must-win kind of contest for the Braves. Besides that the Braves have Chris Sale scheduled to start out Wednesday, Sale goes to win the Nationwide League Cy Younger and the Braves have gained his previous eight begins, so the Mets actually form of wanted to win this sport as properly.

The Braves scored three within the third off Luis Severino, and that will be all they wanted. The rally began with an infield hit, and there have been a few groundball singles — simply a kind of rallies in baseball the place you scratch throughout some runs just by placing the ball in play. Marcell Ozuna later homered and, wow, the place would the Braves be with out him? He is hitting .310 with 39 residence runs. Michael Harris II doubled and homered and has 5 straight multihit video games. Ozzie Albies simply received again, though he is solely hitting right-handed (which has all the time been his higher aspect anyway).

Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach was excellent for the Braves, going seven innings. He is been one of many under-the-radar tales of the season. Primarily a shortstop at Nebraska, he additionally pitched in reduction and the Braves drafted him within the second spherical in 2021 — yet one more unimaginable scouting discover for the Braves. He missed all of 2022 with Tommy John surgical procedure and commenced this season in Excessive-A — there was no manner he was anticipated to be a part of the Atlanta rotation. He is now 8-7 with a 3.47 ERA in 20 begins.

What to look at Wednesday: Heavy rains from potential Tropical Cyclone 9/Hurricane Helene postponed Wednesday and Thursday’s sport, which doubtless means the Braves — one would assume — will pitch Sale and Max Fried this weekend in opposition to the Royals. That may very well be a break for the Mets … besides it means a make-up doubleheader in Atlanta on Monday. What may go unsuitable?

Miami Marlins vs. Minnesota Twins (7:40 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The Twins at the moment are two video games behind the Tigers and Royals for a wild card (three groups for 2 spots). They’ve misplaced 5 of their previous six video games.

What occurred Tuesday: The Marlins scored 4 runs within the second inning off Bailey Ober, three of these with two outs, to beat Minnesota. The Twins are 6-14 since Sept. 3; this was their sixth straight sport with out a residence run. They have been speculated to be higher when Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis all lastly received wholesome on the identical time this month, however as an alternative they’ve gone within the tank. They’re now two video games again of the Tigers and Royals with 5 to play. They’ll want some assist. And a few residence runs.

What to look at Wednesday: Simeon Woods Richardson will get the ball for the Twins, however he’ll have a fast hook it doesn’t matter what — he is pitched fewer than 5 innings in every of his previous 5 begins — which suggests a Twins bullpen that has been somewhat shaky should chew up some innings. Miami starter Edward Cabrera walked 5 in his final begin, so a affected person strategy is advisable.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox (7:40 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The White Sox stay tied with the 1962 Mets for probably the most losses in fashionable baseball historical past at 120.

What occurred Tuesday: With the White Sox poised to set the file, I turned this one on within the backside of the eighth with the Angels up 2-0. My editor had already reported to me that the attendance included 17,606 followers and 375 canine, which is a fairly respectable crowd — individuals needed to see historical past (though apparently the White Sox announcers have been just about ignoring that side of this sport).

Properly … the followers should come again on Wednesday, as a result of the White Sox improbably rallied for 3 runs. The tying run scored with two outs when Angels second baseman Jack Lopez, a 31-year-old profession minor leaguer who had hit his first main league residence run earlier within the sport, dropped a routine pop fly. Misplaced it within the swirling winds. (Checking the field rating, I see it was scored successful. Beneficiant.) Andrew Benintendi then drove within the go-ahead run. For one night time, the baseball gods have been variety to the White Sox.

What to look at Wednesday: It appears unfathomable that the White Sox may shut out with six straight wins, which might truly give them a greater file than the ’62 Mets, as a result of the Mets solely performed 160 video games and completed 40-120. However do not forget that the 2003 Tigers have been additionally chasing the Mets and gained 5 of their remaining six to complete with 119 losses. You by no means know!

San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (9:40 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The Diamondbacks sit within the third wild-card place, half a sport behind the Mets and half a sport forward of the Braves.

What occurred Tuesday: Did not see this one as I used to be targeted on Padres-Dodgers, however the Giants beat up on Brandon Pfaadt and the Arizona bullpen in a 11-0 rout. This leaves the Mets at 87-70, the Diamondbacks at 87-71 and the Braves at 86-71. It feels acquainted to Arizona from final yr, once they managed to again into the wild card with an 84-78 file regardless of dropping their remaining 4 video games. They will not have the ability to again on this yr. They seem to be a enjoyable workforce with one of the best offense within the majors; I might hate to see them miss the playoffs after such an explosive second half of mashing the baseball.

What to look at Wednesday: Zac Gallen has lengthy been the Arizona ace and whereas he has two scoreless outings in September, he is allowed seven runs and 4 residence runs over his previous two and has lasted simply 5 innings in every of his previous three begins. The Arizona bullpen — which helped blow an 8-1 lead in opposition to the Brewers on Sunday — shall be concerned on this one.

San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 p.m. ET)

What’s at stake: The NL West title stays up for grabs, with the Dodgers’ lead down to 2 video games. An L.A. win all however locks it up with a three-game lead with 4 video games left, however a Padres win makes it very, very fascinating.

What occurred Tuesday: I imply … this didn’t occur. Nevertheless it did occur. The Padres led 4-1 getting into the underside of the ninth. The Dodgers get three straight hits off Robert Suarez to make it 4-2. No outs. Shohei Ohtani on deck. Miguel Rojas squares round to bunt on the primary pitch. I did not thoughts the technique. Possibly the Padres stroll Ohtani, however that additionally places the profitable run on base with Mookie Betts up. However Rojas misses the pitch. Then he swings away and rockets a grounder proper to Manny Machado at third base, who turns the game-ending 5-4-3 triple play. A triple play! AMAZING.

(Imagine it or not, it is the third triple play to finish a sport prior to now 30 seasons — though the primary time in MLB historical past a workforce clinched a playoff spot with a game-ending triple play.)

What to look at Wednesday: It is Dylan Cease versus Jack Flaherty in a matchup of every workforce’s doubtless Recreation 1 starter for the postseason. Remember the fact that the Padres have already clinched the season collection over the Dodgers (they lead 8-3), so if the groups find yourself tied, the Padres win the division — which they final did in 2006. I will be watching.