Atlanta Braves v Miami Marlins (Braves lead 1-0)
The Marlins struck early in game one, but once the Braves offense exploded, it was all over for the Marlins. In game two, though, the Braves didn’t even need their pen. Their starter, Ian Anderson (5.2IP 3H 0ER 1BB 8K 94PC 1W), shut down the Marlins’ offense, and the bullpen (3.1IP 0H 0ER 1BB 3K) stayed as dominant as it was in game one. The Braves won 2-0 to take the series lead, 2-0.
The Marlins starter, Pablo Lopez (5IP 3H 2ER 0BB 7K 90PC 1L), pitched well enough to win. Their offense, however, could not decipher the Braves pitching staff. The Marlins only mustered up three hits, but none for extra bases. They need to come out strong on Thursday and score some runs immediately. Otherwise, it might be a quick divisional round for the Marlins.
Oakland Athletics v Houston Astros (Astros lead 2-0)
The Athletics are in yet another elimination game in the playoffs, and with their first two in the wildcard round, the team showed up big as they were able to survive and advance. Starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (4.1IP 5H 4ER 2BB 2K 73PC) was spotted a lead twice but was unable to hold either of them against the Astros. Luckily for him, the Athletics’ offense mustered a big rally to win 9-7 and stay alive for another game. 3B Chad Pinder (3-4 1R 4RBI 1HR) hit a home run to tie the game at 7, then added a sac fly to give an insurance run to put it at 9-7. Liam Hendricks did the rest to shut the game down and pitched three shutout innings for the first time this season.
The Astros’ pitching failed them today. Starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (4.1IP 5H 4ER 1BB 3K 79PC) started off the bad pitching and never improved. The pen (4.2IP 6H 5ER 5BB 4K 1L) was even worse. They only added gas to the fire Urquidy started. For the most part, the offense stayed hot. They were still able to push across seven runs and had ten hits in this game. Zach Grienke just needs to be on his usual game on Thursday because this offense is clicking on all cylinders.
Tampa Bay Rays v New York Yankees (Series Tied at 1-1)
Much like game two, the Rays had the pitching advantage in round three, but Mashiro Tanaka, the pitcher for the Yankees, has been one of the most solid postseason pitchers for the last couple of years.
Tanaka (4IP 8H 5ER 4K 1BB 1L) was awful in this game and left the bullpen and offense in a horrible situation. The bullpen came into an offense that had all the confidence in the world after Tanaka went out. Chad Green and Luis Cessa both gave up runs for the next two innings to put the Rays up 8-2, and that was too much for the Yankees to come back from. 1B Luke Voit, who led the majors in home runs, has been awful in this series.
On the other hand, Rays starter Charlie Morton was on point. Morton (5IP 4H 1ER 2BB 6K 1W 86PC) pitched quite beautifully for the Rays and shut down the Yankees lineup. He could’ve gone one more inning, but I guess this allows him to pitch if the series gets forced into a game five. OF Randy Arozarena (3-4 2R 1RBI 1HR) has taken over these playoffs, and his home run in the fifth inning was the last blow for Tanaka. The guys on the bottom of the order, OF Kevin Kiermaier and C Martin Perez, drove in six of the Rays’ eight runs. If this offense continues to mix in this offense with their deep pitching, I don’t see the Yankees winning game five. However, in game four, the Yankees will have a great chance as the Rays will go with an opener for that game.
Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres (Dodgers lead 1-0)
After they lost game one, the Padres didn’t get any favors as they had to try to beat one of the best pitchers of all-time, Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw took the mound for the Dodgers in game two on Wednesday night. With all their injuries, the Padres had to send Kyle Davies to the mound. He had a decent season but never pitched in a game this big, and the Dodgers were ready to pounce at the first sign of struggle.
Kyle Davies (5IP 9H 4ER 0BB 3K 73PC 1L) was able to get through five innings, so the Padres didn’t have to blow out their bullpen. The bullpen (3IP 2H, 2ER, 1BB 3K) did enough to keep the Dodgers at bay and give the Padres a chance to win the game. At the top of the 7th inning, with two outs and one runner on, SS Fernando Tatis, Jr. came up with a chance to take the lead. He took one massive swing of the bat, and CF Cody Bellinger ranged back, timed up the ball, and stole any chance of Tatis being the hero of game two. The Padres managed a little comeback in the 9th inning but fell short and lost 6-5.
Kershaw (6IP 6H 3ER 0BB 6K 1W 87PC) pitched well, but he was done by the sixth inning. He allowed two solo home runs to put the game in jeopardy but left with the 4-3 lead. Their closer, Kenley Jansen (.2IP 3H 2ER 0BB 1K 30PC), had to get pulled, but P Joe Kelly was able to close out the game. SS Corey Seager (3-4 2R 2RBI) has been the unsung hero all season and has kept it rolling in the postseason. He is hitting .429 in the series. If he stays this hot, nobody is beating the Dodgers in 2020.