Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. Phillies, Dodgers facing elimination:
Both NLDS series are on the verge of ending in an upset after the Phillies and Dodgers each fell to their divisional rivals last night, leaving them just one loss from elimination. The Phillies will send lefty Ranger Suarez (3.46 ERA) to the mound in Queens with their season on the line, while the Mets will hope to knock their rival out of the race with veteran southpaw Jose Quintana (3.75 ERA).
Meanwhile, a tense Dodgers-Padres series continues tonight with right-hander Dylan Cease (3.47 ERA) on the mound for San Diego on just three days of rest. Cease started Game 1 for the Padres but was pulled after struggling through 3 1/3 innings where he surrendered five runs on six hits and a pair of walks with two strikeouts. The Dodgers have not yet announced who they’ll counter Cease with, but all hands will be on deck in a potential elimination game.
2. ALDS kicks back into gear:
After an off-day yesterday, both ALDS series — each tied at 1-1 — are back in action today. Guardians right-hander Alex Cobb will take the mound in Detroit after making just three starts this season due to hip, shoulder and finger injuries. The Tigers have not yet announced a starter for today’s game. Thus far, they’ve operated with ace Tarik Skubal as their only true starter as the rest of the pitching staff takes on more flexible roles as directed by manager A.J. Hinch in what the skipper has termed “pitching chaos.”
Later in the evening, the Yankees will send right-hander Clarke Schmidt (2.85 ERA in 16 starts) to the mound in Kansas City opposite veteran righty Seth Lugo (3.00 ERA in 33 starts). Schmidt’s only postseason experience is an 11.57 ERA in three appearances out of the bullpen back in 2022 while Lugo is coming off a solid performance against the Baltimore in the Wild Card Series, where he pitched 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball and struck out six Orioles against just one walk.
3. Rojas day-to-day headed into Game 3:
Turning back to the NLDS, the Dodgers may face elimination with their lineup at less than full strength. Veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas has been playing through an adductor injury this postseason, and he was forced to leave last night’s game in the third inning after aggravating the injury. The shortstop told reporters (including The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) after the game that he’ll need to see how he feels today before he’ll know if he can play in what could be the final game of L.A.’s season. Rojas noted that in the past the next day is “more painful” than the initial problem when it comes to aggravating his adductor injury. In the event that Rojas isn’t available, the club seems likely to turn to Tommy Edman at shortstop, moving him in from center field where he would then be replaced by Andy Pages. First baseman Freddie Freeman has also been playing through an ankle injury that has left him visibly hobbled on the field, as seen last night when he limped to the dugout after hitting a single and being lifted for a pinch-runner.
Laseball Biker
Did anyone have the Phillies getting eliminated by the Mets when their NLDS match-up was finalized?
I Believe We Can Win
Did anyone have potentially Mets Padres NLCS when the season first started?
Drasco0366
I had both the Padres and Mets in the playoffs but for the Mets I had them in for the wrong reasons. I thought Batty would emerge as a very solid player, JD Martinez would have a bigger impact and Senga was going to lead the staff. Padres just had a good team and Preller hit a slam dunk in the Soto deal.
braves25
No, but if the trend stays course the Mets should win the WS. When the Brewers make the playoffs they determine who makes the WS. Everyone that beats them in the playoffs makes the WS. Then it is 3 WS wins and 1 WS loss. The Dbacks beat the Brewers last year and lost the WS setting up the Mets to win.
Slider_withcheese
They did go 6-7 against them this year so pretty much evenly matched. Underdogs sure, but it’s not a huge upset if it happens.
Old York
@Laseball Biker
I had the Pirates or Padres representing the NL in the WS.
gcg27
Guess die hard Pirates fab huh?
Old York
@gcg27
No, it was just a fun prediction with no logic behind it.
Spaced-Cowboy
I had the Mets and Tigers winning their WC series. I spoke with a Mets fan at a Jays game about a month ago and they really sold me on the team. I also picked them to win their series against Philly before it started. A NY team will likely make the finals. I had picked LAD over SD and KC to lose the WC so I’m not going to say I’m clairvoyant 😉
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Phillies and dodgers can still win today and tomorrow…
avenger65
sad tormented: One thing the Padres and Mets will have to stifle is their opponents turning it up a notch to force game five. Padres, Tigers, Royals and, if there’s going to be one NY team, I hope it’s the Mets. I’ll always pull for the Mets for what they did to the cubs in 1969.
RunDMC
Yes. I don’t have them getting by SD.
TheMan 3
regardless of whether anyone had this team beating that team before the season, it will please me to a higher degree if both the Phillies and Dodgers are eliminated from this round
Idosteroids
It won’t please Manfraud though. Losing the #2 and #4 tv markets will crush the ratings.
Old York
@Idosteroids
Then the players on the Phillies & Dodgers need to pull up their big boy pants and actually play some winning baseball. I think they lost their motivation with all the cash they’re rolling around in. If they don’t advance, it’s because they had no desire to win.
Idosteroids
I agree. Phils need to pray that Ranger turns into Steve Carlton tonight and someone else beside bruce hooper needs to show up. And has anyone seen frederick freeman?
Travis’ Wood
Lol dodgers and Phillies are losing cause if cash? What about Tatis, machado, darvish etc all making absurd amount of money?? They seem to be doing alright…. Lol your trolling is pathetic
Old York
@Travis’ Wood
Yes, lazy players. Never would have seen that with the dominant teams of the past that were playing for peanuts. No more drive.
Travis’ Wood
Well old York you are officially dumber than someone who is braindead. Congrats.
Old York
@Travis’ Wood
You just told the public that you aren’t smart by resorting to name-calling. Congratulations! You just played yourself!
TheMan 3
resorting to name calling is a sign of weakness
avenger65
The LAD won the NLW despite losing a lot of P to injuries. That, plus a less-than-healthy Freeman and Rojas, might finally be catching up to them. But desperation can be a great motivater.
Idosteroids
no, going 33-34 since the all star break is a sign of weakness.
I Believe We Can Win
wont crush ratings at all.
guardians vs padres in world series 1 team vying for their 1st ever championship would draw huge numbers
padres winning it all for pete seider who passed away this off season would be a huge story line for the mlb to capitalize on.
Acoss1331
Mets are on fire right now, they have all the momentum right now. I think the Padres do take care of business in 4 games, Dodgers are really banged up.
Brew88
The Padres are banged up too
Acoss1331
True, but I think the Padres have the momentum to take down the Dodgers, whereas Dodgers keep getting battered. I could be wrong, Dodgers could make a comeback but I don’t see it.
Brew88
Wonder if Mookie and Profar will keep the routine going in left field corner?
raz427
This NYM team reminds me so much like the 2011 St Louis Cardinals team. They play loose, for each other and have been amazing late in games with clutch hitting or pitching. They are riding a hot wave and it’s must see TV with them late in games when the score is tied or they are down.
– not a Mets fan
avenger65
raz: If the Phillies, Dodgers, guardians and Yankees are all eliminated, it will prove my point of having a week off doesn’t always help. The Tigers were red hot at the end of the season and they’ve kept it going in the PO, hopefully for two more wins.
Idosteroids
Yea if that turns out to the be case…or similar outcomes, I think the MLB will take another look at giving teams that *bye round*.
Yankee Clipper
John Smoltz after {Tatis Jr’s} 3rd series homerun: “He’s San Diego’s Shohei Ohtani!”
Tatis’ postseason stats: .500/571/1.417/1.988
Ohtani’s: .231/.231/.462/.492
Uh, no, no he’s not. Ironically, even when the opposing team is jacking HRs Smoltz is still bringing up Ohtani, who’s on the bench flipping his hair back and forth.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
Though it’s a small sample of only 49 at-bats, Tatis is the all-time postseason leader in average, on-base %, slugging %, OPS, home run %
Old York
@Yankee Clipper
Just goes to show you that you can have the most expensive player on the field and it still doesn’t matter. Too many overpaid players not contributing when it matters. Sure, 50-50 in the regular season but you’re hitting .231 when it matters the most?
nutznboltz
These five players have been huge contributors to this year’s team:1-Merrill makes minimum which I believe is around $750,0002-Profar,Peralta,Solano all make $1,000,000 and Higoshioka makes $218,000,000.
Eighty Raw
Overpaid? You just love billionaires, huh
Old York
@Eighty Raw
No, sir! Just not jealous of individuals who worked to produce billions of dollars in wealth and jobs for these individuals.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Smoltz: “He’s a scrappy New York’s Shohei Ohtani and knows how to get on base.”
Aaron Judge: .143/.333/.143 (2 games)
fox471 Dave
Huh. I thought Yankee Clipper was one of the sane ones. Have to recalibrate, I reckon.
Old York
@fox471 Dave
He is one of the very few sane ones here. I don’t include myself in this group.
Yankee Clipper
FoxDave: I try to be, but I can’t stand Smoltz’ constant Ohtani references when it’s not applicable to what’s going on. It’s just tiresome when he’s that off base or flat-out wrong.
Another example is when he was talking about Ohtani’s fly out to CF and talking about how amazing it was because “most people would’ve given up on the pitch”.
Ohtani is an amazing talent, no doubt. The LAD are an awesome team, who have some really ill-times injuries that are killing them, unfortunately. But, Smoltz’ commentary is off, imho, and it actually takes away from Ohtani’s accomplishments when he’s tossing out superlatives for a fly out.
Travis’ Wood
Imagine caring about postseason stats lol what a CASUAL. Ohtani has played 3 games LOL
Old York
@Travis’ Wood
And he’s cooked!
Travis’ Wood
And you’re a moron
Old York
@Travis’ Wood
You just played yourself again!
Yankee Clipper
Travis, I don’t care about the stats themselves, but when the announcer can’t give credit to anyone without bringing up an uninvolved player who is not currently performing in the series, it detracts from the player.
Trust me, Judge isn’t performing either, so I get the small sample size, but Tatis’ series has been amazing and he deserves the credit.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Imagine being a dick all the time bc you didn’t get enough hugs.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
I predict a dodgers W today since cease is not good on short rest and 100+ pitches
avenger65
sad tormented: I’ve seen Cease for most of his career and I think he’ll be back to the dominant P that he is. Game 1 might be a motivator and he didn’t throw a lot of pitches.
Brew88
I predict bow tie Rosenthal will remain in the Dodger dugout all game on a short leash
straightuphonestguy
He has never thrown on short rest.
Brew88
Cease threw 82 pitches Saturday, not 100+
vjwhitmore
In the Yankee series tonight’s match up Lugo- Schmidt
Lugo is 5- 2 vs the Yankees, but that is deceptive he’s actually 1-1 this year
having won in Yankee Stadium and lost at home (his other 4 wins +1 loss came as a Met)
Schmidt has not started vs Royals this year but was 2-0 in relief in 23
FemboySportsFan!
Shohei came into his first postseason, just to do absolutely nothing lol.
Old York
@FemboySportsFan!
But, but… he’s the best player ever in the history of MLB!!! We should be worshiping him!
Travis’ Wood
Lol he’s homered in 1/3 games which would be a 54 homer pace, also imagine caring about 3 games worth of stats what a casual take
Old York
@Travis’ Wood
3 Games can win or lose a series in the MLB playoffs. Are you suggesting the playoffs are meaningless?
phillies1993
The Padres just lit up Cease twice on full rest. The Dodgers would have a much better chance if they started Knack in this game.
Old York
@phillies1993
Doesn’t Cease play for the Padres? Sounds like the Dodgers will be lighting him up again tonight.
Cease is Cooked!
MPrck
Still nothing listed in Detroit, I’m hoping it’ll be Jobe starting today. It just come up as Montero starting today, oh well. This is a great chance for Detroit, to really take some time building the team going forward. I’m hoping they win it all, and play the Royals next.
ny papi
If the Mets advance further than the Dodgers in the playoffs would that improve Lindor’s chances of mvp or do you guys think Ohtani has it on lock with the numbers he put up?
FemboySportsFan!
they decide MVP before the postseason. also lindor is nowhere close to winning MVP.
Old York
@ny papi
To date, no Mets player has ever received this honor. Let’s hope that trend continues.
YankeesBleacherCreature
League MVP voting is completed at the end of the regular season. Even if that’s not the case, it’s hard to argue against Ohtani’s numbers and him achieving something that’s never been done before in any regular season.