Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. The worst part of yesterday’s MLB playoff results is that now Bears-Commanders is the biggest game of the night.
In today’s SI:AM:
That was quick
I hope you’re fine with waiting two days for more playoff baseball. All four wild-card series ended in two-game sweeps yesterday. That might not sound all that interesting, but there’s still plenty to take from those outcomes. Let’s take a quick look at each result.
John Schneider’s questionable decision
The Blue Jays–Twins game hinged on one move made by Toronto’s manager. Jays starter José Berríos was dealing through three innings, with five strikeouts and only one hit allowed. But after he walked the leadoff batter in the fourth, Schneider pulled him in favor of Yusei Kikuchi. It was a baffling decision for a number of reasons, Tom Verducci writes, but most of all it showed an unwillingness to deviate from Toronto’s predetermined game plan. It was clear from the beginning that Schneider (at the direction of the Jays’ front office) was itching to pull the righty Berríos from the game in favor of a lefty. It’s a good strategy in theory, but Schneider’s mistake was taking Berríos out before he showed any signs of trouble. Instead, Kikuchi allowed an infield single and a walk, bringing up Carlos Correa with the bases loaded. Correa is a much better hitter against lefties and took advantage of the matchup, ripping a two-run single that proved to be the difference in the 2–0 game.
Another loss for the Rays
As good as the AL East was this season, the division is left with only one team standing as the ALDS gets underway. The Rays crashed out of the postseason with hardly a peep, managing just one run and coming dangerously close to setting the record for longest postseason scoreless streak. Losing two games in a row isn’t particularly shocking for any team, but as Emma Baccellieri explains, it was shocking how the Tampa Bay offense sputtered:
It’s a stunning finish by the Rays, who had the best offense by OPS+ (114) in the American League during the regular season. Much of the concern around this team entering the playoffs had centered on the pitching staff, which had been hit hard with injuries, especially in the rotation. Yet it was the Rays’ bats and defense that tanked them in the playoffs.
At least the fans didn’t have to wait in too much traffic on their way home. The two games had a total attendance of just 39,901.
The D-Backs get back on track
Arizona limped into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed after losing four straight to close the season, but its bullpen and young offensive stars led the way in the two wins over Milwaukee. Both games followed a similar script, with the Brewers jumping out to an early lead only to see their bats go quiet in the later innings. Give the D-Backs’ relievers credit, though. The Arizona bullpen pitched 9⅓ scoreless innings, including 6⅓ innings by six pitchers in Game 1 after rookie starter Brandon Pfaadt was given the quick hook.
Milwaukee will be left wondering whether things might have gone differently if top starter Brandon Woodruff hadn’t missed the series with a shoulder injury.
Good vibes in Philly
After winning the National League pennant last year as the No. 6 seed, the Phillies look even better this year. They rode excellent starting pitching to victory in both games against the Marlins, while the hitters came through in clutch moments. Zack Wheeler allowed one run and struck out eight in Game 1, and Aaron Nola allowed three hits and no runs in seven innings last night.
The Phillies will face the best team in baseball, the 104-win Braves, in the next round in a rematch of last year’s NLDS. Atlanta may have the best record in the league, but no one can celebrate like the Phillies. We’ll see how long they can keep the party going.
The best of Sports Illustrated
Matt Slocum/AP Photo
- The Phillies aren’t afraid of the seemingly unstoppable Braves as their NLDS rematch looms, Stephanie Apstein writes.
- Albert Breer’s NFL mailbag leads with a question about what it would take for Bill Belichick to leave the Patriots.
- After years of being literal and metaphorical lightweights, the Thunder enter this season with high expectations—and some more bulk in the frontcourt, Chris Herring writes.
- Here are Michael Fabiano’s Week 5 fantasy rankings for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and defenses.
- LSU safety Greg Brooks Jr. has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
- The 2030 men’s World Cup will be held in six countries across three continents.
- In an interview with Shannon Sharpe, Marshawn Lynch recalled how the Seahawks’ treatment of Russell Wilson caused a rift within the team.
The top five...
… plays in the playoffs last night:
5. Josh Donaldson’s slick sliding play at third.
4. Alek Thomas’s home run to start the D-Backs’ comeback.
3. Geraldo Perdomo’s diving stop for a big out in the ninth inning.
2. Sonny Gray’s inning-ending pickoff of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
1. Bryson Stott’s grand slam to blow the game open for the Phillies.
SIQ
The Cubs beat the Braves in Game 5 of the NLDS on this day in 2003 to advance to the NLCS against the Marlins. Before then, when was the last time the Cubs won a playoff series?
- 1998
- 1969
- 1945
- 1908
