With one team now on the verge of a trip to the World Series, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Dodgers one away:
A 10-2 drubbing of the Mets in New York last night in Game 4 of the NLCS leaves the Dodgers just one win away from the World Series. They’ll attempt to wrap the series up in New York at 5:08pm local time this evening with right-hander Jack Flaherty (3.17 ERA in 28 starts) on the mound. Flaherty was roughed up by the Padres in his first start of the postseason but bounced back in a big way during his start against the Mets earlier in this series when he threw seven scoreless frames and struck out six. The Mets will attempt to counter Flaherty with lefty David Peterson, who enjoyed something of a breakout season this year with a 2.90 ERA in 21 starts. He’s worked out of the bullpen to this point in the postseason but has mostly done well for himself with a 2.08 ERA in 8 2/3 frames, though four walks against just five strikeouts is somewhat concerning.
2. Guardians fighting back in ALCS:
The Guardians headed back to Cleveland down 2-0 in the ALCS yesterday but did not disappoint in front of their home crowd, prevailing in a back-and-forth extra innings affair 7-5 on the back of a home run by David Fry that followed a homer by Jhonkensy Noel that tied the game in the bottom of the ninth to keep the club alive. Now, the Guardians will have the opportunity to even the series against their home crowd when they face right-hander Luis Gil (3.50 ERA in 29 starts) in what will be the first postseason outing of Gil’s career at 8:08pm local time this evening. Cleveland will counter with right-hander Gavin Williams, who followed up a strong rookie campaign in 2023 with a lackluster 4.86 ERA in 16 starts this year in what will also be the first postseason appearance of his young career.
3. Hamilton to undergo MRI:
Before tonight’s game in Cleveland, the Yankees will have a decision to make regarding right-hander Ian Hamilton. Hamilton exited last night’s game against the Guardians due to what the team described as tightness in his left calf and is now headed for imaging. Hamilton posted a solid 3.82 ERA with a 3.03 FIP in 37 2/3 innings of work in the regular season but hasn’t seen much action in the postseason. The righty threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings during the ALDS against the Royals, but his lone appearance in the ALCS was last night’s injury-shortened outing where he surrendered a run and recorded just one out. Right-handers Mark Leiter Jr. and Clayton Beeter are among the hurlers who have been floated as possible injury replacements for Hamilton should he go on the IL, which would bar him from participating in the World Series in the event that the Yankees advance.
MPrck
Are high priced free agents really needed ? If Cleveland wins it all by taking down N.Y, and L.A, it’ll be talked about all winter long. Go Cleveland.
Shrutefarm
That was an epic comeback yesterday. If they pull out this series, that game will be talked about for ages.
Fever Pitch Guy
Shrute – And it’s so nice to watch real baseball in the postseason (no Ghost Runner in extra innings).
ChuckyNJ
Not when baseball has turned the pitch clock off. ALCS Game 3 took nearly 4 hours while NLCS Game 4 went 3:39.
halloffamernobodycares
OMG!!! I was at a baseball game and it took too long!!!
Said no baseball fan ever.
YankeesBleacherCreature
@FPG 10000% Yes
Joe says...
OMG!!! I watched the game on tv and it took too long!!!
Said baseball fans who had to get up early the next day to go to work.
swagsuperawesomeepiccoolman123
go yankees
This one belongs to the Reds
Are we seeing a real life Major League movie? lol
Fever Pitch Guy
This – Well the article does say “Now, the Guardians will have the opportunity to even the series against their home crowd” ….. so it is similar to the Major League movie. LOL!!
scarfish
I’m already mourning the Yankees’ defeat. I’ve been a fan of them long enough to know collapse from a mile away
JRamHOF
As a Cleveland fan, I wouldn’t be too worried about the Yankees collapsing
Slider_withcheese
@ mprck
Having a top ten payroll doesn’t guarantee anything but every WS winner since 2017 has had one. I don’t know if it’s needed perse, but the odds are certainly better.
myaccount2
@slider- That’s a good note. Interesting, though… the Cubs didn’t have a top 10 payroll in 2016 with Heyward, Fowler, and the rotation of Lester, Arrieta, Lackey, Hammel, and Hendricks? Baez, Bryant, Schwarber, Contreras, and Russell must have all been pre-arb to balance it out.
Shrutefarm
Despite being down 3-1, the Mets still have a lane to make this interesting. If they can win today and get it back to LA, they’ve got their top 2 starters going. After stifling the Dodgers in game 2, you gotta like their chances of him getting it to game 7…..where anything can happen.
Skyrider123
Mets are simply out of gas. Going into this series, the Mets were on fire both with pitching and hitting. It’s LA all of a sudden with the hot pitching and hitting. I dont think the Mets have anything left.
Shrutefarm
As a Dodger fan, I hope you’re right.
raisinsss
This is my read too.
Jd Martinez looks cooked. Nimmo is broken. Iglesias seems tired.
I’m not writing them off because I’ve already done that probably more than 10 times this year and been wrong every time, but it’s uphill.
If peterson can beat Flaherty, they’ll have Manaea going, who should be favored in a rematch with the dodgers bullpen. If the Mets win this next one, i think they’ll get to 7.
Butter Biscuits
The series ends today
getrealgone2
Mets’ magic has run out I believe.
I’m just glad they embarrassed the Phillies.
B-rocker
So much fun. Surprisingly few Dodger fans at the last two games at Citi Field. Looking forward to game 5 today.
Acoss1331
Mets were on fire but that’s run out now it seems.
I think the Yankees win today, the starter is not a left-handed pitcher, that automatically increases their odds of winning.
mad1
Mets going home soon! I guess 306 million doesn’t guarantee a ring
TerryTurnbuckle
Losing to those thrifty, small market, cheap Dodgers has to be humiliating.
Dumb take dude.
fred-3
I honestly believe the Dodgers, Padres, and D’Backs were the 3 best NL teams. The D’Backs would be in the playoffs if their bullpen didn’t implode the last 2 weeks of the season.
TerryTurnbuckle
Oh well. Cry more. They had a shot, just like everyone.
FemboySportsFan!
how is he crying lmao? he just explained that the d backs would have made it without bullpen woes, are you just looking to fight people?
TerryTurnbuckle
A lot of teams would have made it if this happened or that happened. Don’t be dumb cause I’m off the meds today
FemboySportsFan!
Explain how its “crying” though, you’re just trying to rage bait to gain attention.
TerryTurnbuckle
I said what I said. End of