As the playoffs continue, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. ALCS heads to Cleveland:
The Guardians are headed back home to Cleveland today having dropped the first two games of the ALCS to the Yankees in the Bronx. As they look to stop the bleeding in front of their home crowd, the club will turn to lefty Matthew Boyd (2.72 ERA in 8 starts). The veteran southpaw has not yet appeared in the ALCS but drew two starts during the ALDS against Detroit. Those two starts went quite well, as Boyd struck out ten Tigers in 6 2/3 scoreless frames. Now, Boyd figures to square off against Yankees youngster Clarke Schmidt (2.85 ERA in 16 starts) this evening. Schmidt’s lone ALDS start saw him surrender two runs in 4 2/3 innings of work with four strikeouts. Today’s game is scheduled to begin at 5:08pm local time.
2. Mets facing deficit in NLCS:
The Mets suffered an ugly 8-0 loss at the hands of the Dodgers last night as the L.A. pitching staff stymied their offense, allowing just four hits. While Luis Severino managed to handle the Dodgers’ offense decently in 4 2/3 innings of work that saw only two unearned runs cross the plate, the L.A. bats came to life late in the game against the bullpen and torched Mets relievers Reed Garrett and Tylor Megill for six runs.
As the Mets try to avoid dropping back-to-back games, they’ll turn to veteran southpaw Jose Quintana (3.75 ERA in 31 starts). Quintana has been excellent for the Mets so far this postseason, pitching 11 scoreless frames and striking out 11 across two starts split between the NLDS and the NL Wild Card series. His opponent tonight will be Dodgers star Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3.00 ERA in 16 starts), who arrived in the majors to much fanfare earlier this year. Yamamoto’s first taste of postseason action in the big leagues has been a mixed bag so far, as he was rocked for five runs over three innings by the Padres in his first postseason start but settled in to post five scoreless frames in a decisive Game 5 against San Diego later in the series. Tonight’s game is slated to start at 8:08pm local time in Queens.
3. A’s ballpark agreements in Las Vegas moving forward:
The A’s no longer hail from Oakland after playing their last game at the Coliseum last month, and with the Oakland chapter of the club’s history now officially closed, things are moving along toward the construction of the club’s planned ballpark in Las Vegas. As detailed by Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Las Vegas Stadium Authority is scheduled to meet today with a review of updated agreements regarding development and leasing of the stadium as well as relocation stipulations between the city and the A’s among the items on the agenda.
The agreements lay out a framework for a number of subjects, including how many out-of-market home games the Athletics are allowed to play each year and what situations could allow the A’s to relocate out of Las Vegas in the future should they so desire. Per Akers, those agreements will then be put to a vote on December 5, with approval of each of the agreements standing as a necessary step in order for the A’s to unlock public funding for their new stadium. In addition to getting approval on these agreements, the Athletics will also need to present a plan for financing their own portion of the stadium expenses before that aforementioned public funding becomes available.
Old York
1. Honestly, the Yankees really haven’t beat the Indians. The Indians are the ones who have beat themselves. I can’t see them coming back to win it now but they need to stop beating themselves before they start beating the Yankees.
2. Mets let me down. Looking more and more like a Yankees-Dodgers World Series this year.
3. Rebuild Connie Mack Stadium and move them back to their original home in Philadelphia.
Mikenmn
Re: 3, I loved this part of the article “The agreements lay out a framework for a number of subjects, including how many out-of-market home games the Athletics are allowed to play each year and what situations could allow the A’s to relocate out of Las Vegas in the future should they so desire”
Geez, they haven’t even checked into the Vegas comped suite with open bar before looking for a way out the door. So maybe your Connie Mack idea works.
Lindor's Bodyguard
They have to plan for when the city runs out fresh water.
Mikenmn
Waiting for the Aquifer Clause would add spice to the off-season.
ZackMorris
*Guardians
Thank you.
Old York
@ZackMorris
Who?
ZackMorris
Cleveland Guardians. I realize being edgy is cool and all but that is the name of Cleveland’s MLB team. Thank you.
Old York
@ZackMorris
No, they are the Indians.
RunDMC
The first step to healing is acceptance.
Old York
@RunDMC
What are you healing from?
RunDMC
I can accept that a team has, again, changed their name, like they did when they were the Bluebirds, Napoleons (Naps), Lake Shores, and Rustlers. 106 years was a good run.
McNasty1
Cleveland Indians
Mynameisnoname
Discrediting the Guardians instead of acknowledging NY is the same sort of trope used in regards to KC giving away the series due to clogging the bases with walks. As if laying off 95+ while adrenaline dumping is easy.
The Yankees have had significant traffic almost all six games and whose bullpen has proven stout, giving up only two runs over that intense atmosphere stretch with heavy usage to boot.
The Yankees have also made errors and base running gaffes, but yet still managed not to “beat themselves”. Every win in the playoffs is hard fought and earned.
whyhayzee
Yes, it’s hard work to get the dumpires to blow calls that inure to your benefit.
BaseballBrian
The Mets suffered an ugly 8-0 loss at the hands of the Dodgers last night as the L.A. pitching staff stymied their offense, allowing just four runs.
Something doesn’t add up here.
fox471 Dave
Article said,”allowing just four hits.”
Canuckleball
It originally said allowing just four runs. It’s been edited since by Nick.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Looking like yanks dodgers WS
So fun
Old York
@sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Yep. My prediction that the M’s would be in the WS fell on its face. I guess I didn’t factor in that the M’s usually fall apart 3/4s of the way through the season.
Lindor's Bodyguard
And then recover just in time to barely miss the playoffs. 54% lives forever.
Joe says...
There’s still plenty of time for things to go sideways for the Yankees.
fred-3
Just to show you how stupid the MLB postseason is, the worst Dodgers team during this run is about to win a World Series because of course
mlb fan
“The worst Dodgers team”…The championship round of the ’24 playoffs has been a real snoozer. Before this year I cannot remember the last time I turned off a baseball playoff game before the 5th inning, but I’ve done it several times during the NLCS & ALCS this year.
Not one part of me ever thought the Guardians could beat the Yankees. And yes, this is most definitely the worst Dodgers’ team of the last decade.
good vibes only
Really boring championship series with the lopsided games. I’m not a fan of either team but LAD/NYY should be more fireworks at least.
Ronk325
You’d be foolish to crown the Dodgers just yet. The real New York team still stands in their way
atlbraves
The “real” New York team that falls apart in the playoffs.
ChuckyNJ
NYC sportsball media said Mets went from OMG to SMH in Game 3. That towering HR by Ohtani was actually an LOL moment.
BlueSkies_LA
In all my years of watching baseball I don’t remember seeing anyone who could hit a ball harder, higher and longer than Ohtani and all at the same time. The one he hit last night arced so high it seemed to go over the top of the foul poll and it still reached the second deck. No doubt some day he will become one of the few players to launch one over the pavilion roof at Dodger Stadium.
Pads Fans
“The Mets suffered an ugly 8-0 loss at the hands of the Dodgers last night as the L.A. pitching staff stymied their offense, allowing just four runs.”
Huh? What in the bleep does that even mean?
Troy Percival's iPad
Can anyone in large scale construction explain to me how they’ll have a stadium started next spring and completed in only 3 years? It takes 2 years to build a 4/3.5 McMansion, and it seems like a larger, much more complicated project would take more time. I am skeptical that there won’t be any shenanigans similar to the Rays’ start of the 2025 season from hurricane damage
WestVillageTiger
Why does it take two years to build a McMansion? It’s just a big cardboard box loaded with expensive appliances…
Troy Percival's iPad
Because no one wants to work anymore (and permitting takes a while)
I have no idea why it takes so long, but it does
TerryTurnbuckle
The only shenanigans there will be will be hiring migrants over all the ex cons that move to. Vegas for construction jobs.
BlueSkies_LA
Because it’s Las Vegas. They build gigantic casinos more quickly than that.
Graberitz
Reed Garrett calls his Roger Beshens Football Slider a cutter. Naughty Rod got him.
olmtiant
I was told to define torture a few days ago… I answered this way…Rooting for Cowboys this year and Rooting against Yankees…enough said!!!
whyhayzee
Going to a Taylor Swift concert?
olmtiant
That would be third on list!!!
geotheo
In reference to the Vegas stadium. The public funding hasn’t been released yet? They are still working on language regarding out of town ( international) games and conditions for relocation. Shouldn’t all this have been agreed to before leaving Oakland?
Then the A’s have to submit a plan for private funding before December 5 to release public funding. Again shouldn’t this have been agreed to before MLB approved the relocation? Would MLB have granted Vegas an expansion team if there were questions about stadium funding? Most likely not.
Steinbrenner2728
A classic word-salad sandwich by Vegas mouthpiece Mick Akers.
CCCTL
Akers – “Steve Hill ASSURES ME that John Fisher’s family has enough money to cover the costs.”
fans: “Have they committed to USING that money?”
Akers: ” ”
Hill: ” ”
Fisher & family: ” ”
Fans: “Is he still trying to sell a fraction of the team for a vastly inflated price?”
Fans: “Well?”
Fans: “…Helloooo? Is this thing on?”
waittilnextyear
Would absolutely be overjoyed if Cleveland won. 63 years and I’m still waiting for that win. This is reality though and not a made for tv movie. The underdog doesn’t slay the dragon. The nerd doesn’t beat the bully. End of the day money wins Yankees and Dodgers go to World Series and mlb and networks do backflips
olmtiant
Not likely but can happen… like old cartoon.. start it today… put one foot in front of the. Other….
waittilnextyear
And soon you’ll be walking out the door…..
olmtiant
Into WS!!! Do it for Andre Thornton!!!
TerryTurnbuckle
The last I checked the Mets are only down one game you dumb people
whyhayzee
But they’ve been outscored like 20 to 7.
They’ll never win the tiebreaker.
TerryTurnbuckle
They’ll win on penalty kicks
enricopallazzo
Mick Akers isn’t the most trustworthy source for the A’s to Vegas news, he’s a mouthpiece for the A’s ownership.
Acoss1331
Boyd is a lefty, Yankees are atrocious versus left-handed pitching. Cleveland has a good chance to win today. Cleveland has shot itself in the foot these first two games, good on the Yankees for taking advantage, but Guardians gifted them two wins so far.
Non Roster Invitee
Happy birthday John Rocker!
Jdt8312
you gotta win 4 of 7. 1996 Yankees, down 2 to the Atlanta Braves, came back and won the WS in 6. The 2004 Yankees, up 3 on the Red Sox lost the ALCS in 7. One game at a time, folks. One game at a time. If you win the series after 2-3 games, why are any of us watching? We’re all looking for exciting games to come. And I think the best is yet to come in these playoffs. LGM!!!