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The Opener: AL Wild Card Matchups, NL Wild Card Matchups

By Leo Morgenstern | October 2, 2024 at 8:37am CDT

With another full day of postseason baseball on the docket, here are the four games to watch this afternoon and evening:

1. Astros vs. Tigers:

The first game of the day kicks off at 1:32pm CT in Houston, where the Tigers (1-0) will send Tyler Holton to the mound as an opener against the Astros (0-1) and their Game 2 starter Hunter Brown. Holton has quietly been one of the most effective multi-inning relievers in the game over the past two years, pitching to a 2.15 ERA and 3.55 SIERA in 179 2/3 innings. Reese Olson (3.53 ERA, 3.93 SIERA in 22 starts) is a likely option to come in and pitch multiple innings after Holton as this surprising Tigers team looks to advance to the ALDS. Alternatively, Detroit could be trying to save Olson for a potential Game 3 (or Game 1 of the ALDS).

Brown is enjoying a breakout sophomore season, with a 3.49 ERA and 3.74 SIERA in 170 innings pitched. He has been especially successful in the second half, with a 2.26 ERA in 12 starts since the All-Star break. After ace Framber Valdez couldn’t get the job done on Tuesday, the responsibility of keeping Houston’s ALCS streak alive falls on Brown’s shoulders. The Astros have appeared in the past seven consecutive American League Championship Series.

2. Orioles vs. Royals:

Game 2 between the Orioles (0-1) and Royals (1-0) starts at 3:38pm CT, with Kansas City’s Seth Lugo taking on Baltimore’s Zach Eflin. The Orioles came into the series as the clear favorites, but the Royals hung on to win 1-0 in an incredible Game 1 pitchers’ duel between Cole Ragans and Corbin Burnes.

The second game of the series could make for another pitchers’ duel between Lugo and Eflin. Lugo is coming off a regular season for which he will surely receive Cy Young votes (3.00 ERA, 3.94 SIERA in 28 starts). Eflin hasn’t been quite as sharp all year (3.59 ERA, 3.97 SIERA in 28 starts), but his underlying numbers are similar to Lugo’s, and he looked excellent over the final two months of the season (2.37 ERA in eight starts). Considering how poorly the Royals’ offense performed in September, Eflin should also have the easier lineup to face as he strives to keep his team alive and snap the Orioles’ postseason losing streak at nine games.

3. Brewers vs. Mets:

The NL slate begins in the evening with Game 2 of the Brewers-Mets series starting at 6:38pm CT. The Brewers (0-1) will send Frankie Montas to the mound at American Family Field. Milwaukee has not won a postseason series since 2018, and the Brewers have never won so much as a single game in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Mets (1-0) will send Sean Manaea to the hill hoping to pull off a sweep. The Mets have not won a postseason series since 2015 when they won the NL pennant. Although Milwaukee has home-field advantage, New York has an edge when it comes to the pitching matchup. Manaea is coming off arguably the best season of his career (3.47 ERA, 3.97 SIERA in 32 starts), while Montas hasn’t been nearly as impressive (4.84 ERA, 4.38 SIERA in 30 starts).

4. Padres vs. Braves:

The final game of the evening begins at 7:38pm CT, with the Braves (0-1) sending Max Fried (3.25 ERA, 3.61 SIERA in 29 starts) to the bump against Joe Musgrove (3.88 ERA, 3.62 SIERA in 19 starts) of the Padres (1-0). While Fried has had the better season, Musgrove has been dominant since his return from the IL in August (2.15 ERA, 3.01 SIERA in nine starts). Working in Fried’s favor, however, is the fact that he is left-handed; the Padres have a .689 OPS against southpaws this season, much worse than their .764 OPS against righties.

Interestingly, this is the only Wild Card Series in which the higher-seeded team won the first game.

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View Comments (25)
Post a Comment

25 Comments

  1. whyhayzee

    12 months ago

    It’s been great so far.

    5
    Reply
  2. Slider_withcheese

    12 months ago

    Both division winners gone after today.

    5
    Reply
  3. avenger65

    12 months ago

    I’m glad that the Tigers earned a WC spot. That helps keep their momentum going. Same with the Royals and Mets. Clinching early and by a lot might not have helped the Brewers and the O’s, I hope they can get something going today and not get swept at least. All good series so far.

    5
    Reply
  4. Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee

    12 months ago

    Visitors mostly showing out yesterday….

    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      12 months ago

      Michael King looked Fantastic yesterday however I think Yankees getting Soto was the way to go. I would love to see Soto vs King in the coming weeks.

      5
      Reply
      • Brew’88

        12 months ago

        I’d like to see that too! And then King vs the Yankees (without Soto) in 2025 ha ha. But seriously, I think the NYY signs Soto as FA, that do you think?

        3
        Reply
  5. Acoss1331

    12 months ago

    King having his great outing helped me win some money on Draftkings lol

    2
    Reply
  6. MPrck

    12 months ago

    The Tigers are looking good. As the first game each day it might make it easier for them to advance. The Royals winning was more shocking to me, but congratulations to them.

    5
    Reply
    • Slider_withcheese

      12 months ago

      Just curious how you think playing the first game each day makes it easier for them to advance. Sure,they have played more day games this year than Houston, but still. Unless I’m missing something, I don’t see the difference in having the first game or the nightcap in regards to ease of advancement. That being said, go Tigers.

      3
      Reply
  7. MPrck

    12 months ago

    Wow, If the Tigers win today or tomorrow the first game will be Saturday in Cleveland at 1.00 pm. Game two on Monday there at 4,00 pm.

    3
    Reply
  8. jwt421

    12 months ago

    Today’s Mets v. Brewers game is a rematch of last Friday night where Manea struggled and the Brewers ran wild stealing six bases in the first couple of innings. If second half Manea shows up, the Brewers are going to have a tough day.

    Reply
    • Dice 66

      12 months ago

      Brewers very overrated! Weak division, not that good!Going home tonight! Hopefully back to AL where they belong! Put Astros back in NL stupid move in beginning!!

      Reply
      • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

        12 months ago

        Why does the AL deserve all the bad clubs then? Not fair!

        Reply
  9. Tomas80

    12 months ago

    Are people still confused about the Tigers being “hot” as opposed to being “good.”? You don’t stay this hot for this long in the MLB. Consider for a moment that they are actually a good baseball team.

    4
    Reply
    • Acoss1331

      12 months ago

      My excuse for thinking the Tigers wouldn’t win yesterday is based on the fact that the Astros have dominated for like a decade now, but I was very much proven wrong yesterday.

      1
      Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      12 months ago

      And not a player over the age of 28. Amazing. I don’t know how AJ Hinch doesn’t win Manager of the Year. Unanimously.

      1
      Reply
  10. MPrck

    12 months ago

    IT’S ON !!!!!!…………….TIGERS GO TO CLEVELAND……….HUGE RULER OF THE ROOST EVENT !!!…….LETS GO TIGERS !!

    2
    Reply
  11. CardsFan57

    12 months ago

    Congratulations Detroit! Quite a surprise since they were sellers at the deadline.

    5
    Reply
  12. Motor City Beach Bum

    12 months ago

    Tigers win!!!!! Awesome. Personally I thought Houston was the AL favorite. Huge win.

    3
    Reply
  13. ATinz

    12 months ago

    Houston forgot their trash cans this year. #cheaters

    1
    Reply
  14. CardsFan57

    12 months ago

    Congratulations Royals! How surprising that 3 of the last 4 AL teams are from the Central.

    5
    Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      12 months ago

      I am old enough to remember when people were saying all the American League Central clubs were bogus and pretenders because they got to play the White Sox so many times.

      Reply
  15. CardsFan57

    12 months ago

    Congratulations San Diego! I’m starting to like their chances to make the WS.

    Reply
  16. Ignorant Son-of-a-b

    12 months ago

    It really is a shame when a good team has to go home because of two measly losses, but I guess somebody has to go home at some point.

    Reply
  17. CardsFan57

    12 months ago

    Congratulations Mets. Interesting that two teams who spent wildly then backed way off are still in the hunt for championship.

    Reply

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