Division Series Thread: Athletics On the Verge of Elimination
We are just three days into the division series round of the playoffs, and we already have an elimination game. The Oakland Athletics will need to win today to keep their season alive, otherwise the Houston Astros will be heading to the ALCS.
In the National League both of the top teams handled business in Game 1, as the Braves and the Dodgers took early series leads. Today the Marlins and the Padres will look to even things up. Meanwhile the Yankees and Rays are already knotted at one game apiece.
Miami Marlins vs Atlanta Braves, 2:08 PM ET, Game 2 at Minute Maid Park – MLB Network
RHP Pablo Lopez vs RHP Ian Anderson
The Miami Marlins carried a 4-3 lead into the seventh inning in Game 1, only to have the Braves storm back and take control. Former Met Travis d’Arnuad was the key factor for the Braves, hitting a three-run homer in bottom of the seventh to reclaim the lead. D’Arnaud was 3-for-3 with two walks and four RBI in the game.
Today the Braves will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead behind rookie Ian Anderson. Anderson pitched six scoreless innings in the Wild Card round against the Cincinnati Reds.
Oakland Athletics vs Houston Astros, 3:35 PM ET, Game 3 at Dodger Stadium – TBS
LHP Jesus Luzardo vs RHP Jose Urquidy
No one outside of Houston is rooting for the Astros to advance to another round in the playoffs, but they look primed to do so on Wednesday. The Astros have yet to lose in the postseason, and scored 10 runs in Game 2 yesterday.
Jesus Luzardo will look to keep the A’s season alive in Game 3. The rookie left-hander had a rough playoff debut in the Wild Card round, giving up three runs to the Chicago White Sox before being pulled in the fourth inning.
Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees, 7:10 PM ET, Game 3 at Petco Park – TBS
RHP Charlie Morton vs Masahiro Tanaka
Giancarlo Stanton is having a renaissance this postseason, with five home runs in 15 at-bats so far. Yesterday Stanton mashed two home runs that kept the Yankees in the game, but the Rays ultimately carried a lead throughout, winning 7-5.
Charlie Morton will take the ball for the first time in 12 days for Tampa, as his last start came on September 25th. Morton has plenty of postseason experience, dating back to his time with the Astros, where he won the World Series in 2017.
San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers, 9:08 PM ET, Game 2 at Globe Life Field – LAD FS1
LHP Clayton Kershaw vs TBD
The San Diego Padres have yet to announce a starting pitcher for tonight’s game, as they look to find some answers against the juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers feasted on the Padres bullpen last night, scoring five runs to take the early series lead.
Clayton Kershaw was brilliant in his last start in the Wild Card round, hurling eight scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts. Kershaw will once again try to disprove the narrative that he can’t pitch well in October as he takes on an explosive Padres lineup.
