Atlanta Braves v Cincinnati Reds (Braves lead 1-0)
This game is the first to go into extra innings in the 2020 postseason. It will be fascinating to see how it affects either team in game two. The starting pitching for both teams was as good, Luis Castillo (5.1IP 6H 1ER 1BB 7K 1L) for the Reds and Ian Anderson (6IP 2H 0ER 2BB 9K 1W) for the Braves. Both pitched well enough to win. Castillo’s one earned run was enough to give the Braves the win. The Reds were shutout 5-0 and were knocked out of the playoffs. The Reds were held scoreless for all 22 innings in this series.
Oakland Athletics v Chicago White Sox (Series tied at 1-1)
The Athletics and the White Sox were the only American League series to go to a third game in the playoffs’ wildcard round. White Sox Manager Rick Renteria demonstrated how not to manage an elimination game. Renteria used nine pitchers, with some going for less than an inning. It was all-out chaos for the White Sox pitching staff, and the Athletics took complete advantage coming back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the White Sox 6-4 and advance to the next round. (full summary)
San Diego Padres v St Louis Cardinals (Cardinals lead 1-0)
The Cardinals jumped on the momentum they built in the first game to take a 4-0 lead in the first two innings. The Padres offense didn’t break a sweat as they powered to an 11-9 win. Fernando Tatis Jr (3-5 2R 5RBi 2HR) and Will Myers (2-5 2R 4RBI) charged the comeback to take down the Cardinals. This series is now set for an exciting matchup. The Cardinals will run out their ace Jack Flaherty to take on this hot-hitting Padres squad.
Los Angeles Dodgers v Milwaukee Brewers (Dodgers lead 1-0)
The Brewers had a chance to push this series on Thursday when they had their ace Brandon Woodruff going. The Dodgers veteran ace Clayton Kershaw had a performance to shut up all his critics. He pitched the Dodgers to a 3-0 series-winning performance. Kershaw (8IP 3H 0ER 1BB 13K 1W 93PC) had the best pitching performance of the playoffs so far and could eliminate the Brewers all by himself. If Kershaw continues to pitch like this for the Dodgers, they will finally be taking home the championship in 2020.