Monday and Tuesday hosted the first set of games for the 2020 MLB playoffs, as 16 teams faced off in the newly constructed 3 game wild-card series before transitioning back to the 5 game set in the ALDS/NDLS.
Tuesday started out with the first set of AL games, with wins for Houston, Tampa Bay, and New York. Greinke showed his veteran mojo with four innings of one run ball for Houston, while Indians ace (likely CY young and MVP winner) Shane Bieber, was shelled for seven runs in 4 and 2/3 innings in his postseason debut. Tampa Bay made quick work of the Toronto Blue Jays, as Blake Snell blanked the blue bombers over 5 and 2/3 innings. The final game of the day saw the White Sox, making their first post season appearance since 2008, beat the Athletics off a strong start from ace Lucas Giolito.
Wednesday was host to eight games, as the NL began their series’. The opening game saw a fierce pitching duel between the Braves and Reds, as Max Fried and Trevor Bauer exchanged zeroes for 8+ innings. The game had to be settled in extra’s, where Freddie Freeman lined an RBI single in the 13th to claim victory for the Chop men. The Marlins, who have yet to lose a playoff series in franchise history, kept up with their tradition by dispatching the Cubs 5-1.
The Cardinals pounced on Padres starter Chris Paddock early, putting up four runs in the first and another two in the third, ultimately winning 7-4. The Padres will be without starting pitchers Dinelson Lamet and Mike Clevinger for the wild card.
The last game of the night saw the World Series favourite LA Dodgers play the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers got out to an early lead when Brewers starter Brent Stuter walked in two runs in the first, then allowing a Betts RBI double in the second. Milwaukee fought back with an Orlando Arcia 2-run HR off of Walker Buehler in the 4th, but that was all the Brewers offence could muster for the night, with the score ending 4-2.
The second round of AL games also began Wednesday, with Tampa Bay annihilating Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin-Ryu for seven runs in the opening two innings, advancing to the ALDS on the back of an 8-2 win. The Astros shaved off the Twins with a 3-1 victory, as the Twins have now lost 16 post season games in a row. The Athletics knotted their series with the White Sox at 1-1, with a strong outing from Chris Bassit.
The most thrilling match of the night was the 2nd game between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees, with the bronx bombers looking for their second win to clinch the series. After a one-hour delay due to heavy rain, the Indians came out shooting with 4 runs in the first. The Yankees managed to respond with one run in the top half of the next inning off a solo shot from Giancarlo Stanton. However, all hell broke loose in the top half of the 4th inning. Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco loaded the bases with 0 outs (the first batter getting aboard as a result of an error from Cleveland OF Delino DeShields Jr., which set the tone for the inning). Indians manager Sandy Alomar proceeded to replace Carrasco for young reliever James Karinchak. After a six pitch at bat, on the 3-2 pitch, Gio Urshela launched a grand slam deep to left. The Yankees now had 5-4 lead.
Flash forward to the bottom of the 7th inning, where the Yankees now hold a 8-6 lead. Pinch hitter Jordan Luplow steps up to the plate for Josh Naylor (arguably the Indians best hitter this postseason), who laced a double over center fielder Aaron Hicks head to score two runs, tie game!
Bottom of the eighth, Yankees controversial closer Aroldis Chapman was brought on to deal with a two on, no one out situation. On the first pitch, Indians 2B Cesar Hernandez bloops a single into CF which scores the potential game winning run, with the Indians now up 9-8 as we go to the top of the ninth.
Sandy Alomar brings on closer Brad Hand, who was a perfect 16 for 16 in save opportunities during the 2020 regular season. Hand proceeds to walk the first two batters he faces, before making a fielding error to load the bases with no one out. Hand manages to strike out next batter Brett Gardner, before giving up a game-tying sacrifice fly to Gary Sanchez. Game tied 9-9.
Following the sacrifice fly, Yankees machine DJ LeMahieu (who won the 2020 AL batting title with .364 average) then fires an 0-2 pitch into center field which scores the game-winning run. The Yankees once again re-take the lead, 10-9.
The Indians would then face Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the ninth inning who, despite a passed ball on potential third out Oscar Mercado (which put the tying run at 1st), would close out the Tribe without any further damage, advancing the Yankees to the ALDS where they will face AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Indians offence did everything they could to win the game and force a game 3, yet it was the bullpen (one of the strongest in the league during the regular season) which let them down when it mattered the most.
Baseball fans around the world will be hoping to get more games like last nights thriller, despite the late ending time (past 1am ET).
Today, the Braves and Dodgers will look to sweep the Reds and Brewers, while a deciding game 3 is on the cards between the Athletics and White Sox. Game 2 between the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins was postponed due to inclement weather.
Enjoy the rest of the games !