With three of the four Wild Card Series decided, here are three things we’ll be watching around baseball today:
1. Brewers force Game 3:
After dropping Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, the Brewers came back to beat the Mets 5-3 on Wednesday, tying the best-of-three series up at one game apiece. With the other three Wild Card Series already decided, the Brewers-Mets matchup will be the only game on the docket today, kicking off at 6:08pm CT.
Milwaukee will send rookie Tobias Myers (3.00 ERA, 3.99 SIERA in 138 IP) to the mound, while New York is set to counter with the veteran Jose Quintana (3.75 ERA, 4.58 SIERA in 170 1/3 IP). Myers has enjoyed the better overall season, but Quintana has been lights-out over his last six starts (0.74 ERA). The Mets also have a more rested bullpen at their disposal; Mets relievers have thrown six innings so far this series, while the Brewers bullpen has been tasked with 10 1/3.
The winner of tonight’s contest will head to Philadelphia to face the Phillies in the NLDS.
2. Elbow tightness for Joe Musgrove:
Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove exited his Game 2 start on Wednesday with tightness in his pitching elbow. While his teammates went on to win the game and secure a matchup with the Dodgers in the NLDS, this could be a tough blow for San Diego.
Initial tests came back negative, but the 31-year-old is set to undergo further testing today (per Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune). The extent of his injury will be unclear until then. For what it’s worth, Musgrove didn’t try to underplay it after the game: “Going out for that fourth inning,” he said, “Nothing felt right” (per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com). Musgrove missed about half of the 2024 season with elbow inflammation related to bone spurs. He has looked excellent since his return from the IL (2.15 ERA in nine starts), but needless to say, another elbow injury is never a good sign – even though Musgrove believes this latest injury is “very different” from the issue that bothered him earlier this year (per Sanders).
Thankfully for the Padres, they still have plenty of starting depth to rely on. In addition to Michael King and Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, Martín Pérez, and Matt Waldron are available to start in the NLDS.
3. Freddie Freeman making progress
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is making progress as he rehabs from the sprained ankle that kept him out for the final few games of the regular season. He is expected to face live pitching either today or tomorrow (per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register). Manager Dave Roberts has maintained his optimism that the eight-time All-Star will be in the lineup against the Padres on Saturday. However, Roberts also admitted that Freeman won’t be at 100%, and it remains unclear how significantly his ankle will affect his defense and baserunning during the NLDS.
In additional Dodgers news, shortstop Miguel Rojas is also expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS (per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times). He has been nursing an adductor strain. Like Freeman, Rojas will not be at full strength, but he seems to have made good progress in his recovery and will attempt to play through any discomfort.
Mets bullpen though was exhausted before the series started.
Tough loss for the Mets. They really need Alonso to step up, the bat stumble was costly.
Since the new playoff format, 11/12 opening series have been won by the team winning the first game. That being said, there’s no f&*king way the Mets win today. #LOLMets
The new format started in 2020, and two of those eight series went all three games
#cantthinkofsomethingoriginaltosavehislife
Okay Nostradamus. Plus it’s time to retire the the LOL nonsense. The current regime, Stearns and Mendoza is anyting but.
Regardless of the outcome of tonights game, for any Mets fan, this was an extremely satisfying year.
What was that again?
I’m sad to see the Braves season end like this. For tonight’s game, Let’s go Brewers!
The short series seem like such an abrupt end! Playoff baseball really gives fans a chance to watch teams outside their typical market, so it’s fun to see these guys but it sure goes fast! Go Brew Crew! Let’s be the first to win a series after dropping game 1!!
Sure-Milw can make it 3 for 3 with the Central clubs. Quintana has a good career history against them, but with so much roster turnover it shouldn’t matter.
Watched games? They are broadcast during the day during the week. I doubt many paid Attention. Should be closer to the weekend.
Can’t do that without pushing the World Series into November.
Not sad we won’t get to see a lineup of Laureano, Urshela, Merrifield, Duvall, etc.
Still scratching my head why they went with a G1 SP of AJSS, who had 1 GS in ’24 and only 6 for his career, rather than a fresh Ian Anderson, who had a solid Sept at AAA, hadn’t pitched since 9/18 and has the best postseason stats of any pitcher on the roster.
LNGM!
Snitker said the organization felt Anderson was still working his way back from rehab. Also noted that he hadn’t “pitched a ML game in 2 years” while Elder and AJSS had both thrown ML innings this season. They wanted “13 outs” from AJSS. Good idea to use an opener in what had to be a bullpen game for them, but wish they’d just pitched Bummer, Lee, Chavez, and Hernandez. Seems the organization viewed Anderson as the 3rd option in the pecking order behind AJSS and Elder. Imo, both Elder and Anderson may have been effective in a 1-3 inning opener role. AJSS definitely wasn’t. He still looks pretty raw
Good to know. While I don’t know Anderson’s health/rehab status — I respect that, but Elder would have been a better option than AJSS. Elder at least has postseason experience, fwiw. He can be trusted 1-2x thru the order, though I wouldn’t leave him out past that, imho. Seems pitching depth and lack of offense has been the theme that last 3 postseasons. Ready for a different problem(s), but I guess those are luxuries.
Braves couldn’t score in game 1, so the starting pitcher didn’t have much to work with even if they pitched better.
I keep hearing that, but how demoralizing that your SP can’t get thru 5 outs, and through 5 pitches (!!!) he’d already given up 2 hits and 2 ER. From almost their first pitch, they never had a shot, especially when considering their record vs. teams that score 5 or more runs.
Why didn’t Lopez pitch in this series? Just wondering.
He was still working his way back going 6 IP (73 pitches) on Sat 9/28, then 1 IP (15 pitches) on Mon 9/30 — I’m sure he was unavailable. I’d imagine they were also thinking he would be their G3 SP (as opposed to Morton who went a day later — and was awful). Rest up, Rey. You earned it.
I would love to have seen Atlanta and Baltimore advance. I doubt you’ll see huge changes with either team in the off-season. Maybe more with the O’s than the Braves.
Nothing huge but there will be a bunch of names that won’t be back: Duvall, Chavez, Merrifield, Biggio, Luke Jackson, Morton (most likely), Fried (definitely, but we’ll get a compensatory pick from his QO rejection). Schwellenbach can step into Morton’s role (or more), while hoping for a Strider return, but still need some veteran depth. Really hope AJSS (yeesh) or Waldrep can take on a role, but wouldn’t be surprised to see someone like Hackenburg leapfrog them, not unlike Schwell’s emergence. Hayden Harris should take over for Minter.
AA really needs to address overall depth (rotation, bullpen, bench). This year can’t happen again. System isn’t developing the swiss army knives needed as catastrophic insurance we needed. Arcia/Kelenic need to be addressed, obvs.
A gentlemanly hat tip to all Atlanta fans, met a few classy individuals at Petco and beyond this week. Better luck in ’25!
It was San Diego’s pleasure, I assure you
If I was the manager, I would NOT trust Matt Waldron with any postseason starts, especially against the dodgers.
Agreed. Vasquez is the better option.
They won’t start Waldron, but why not Perez or a bullpen game?
with the days off in the schedule Cease, Darvish, King, Perez should be all the Friars need in the NLDS.
in interviews later last night Musgrove stated that the elbow ache was a pre-existing issue, He/himself thinks he’s going to pitch next week but we’ll see what the tests say today. The Padres are fully aware that he would choose to pitch in the playoffs now and risk his career rather than step back and start his offseason recovery. He can be his worst enemy.
@brew
Great idea, I would rather have perez than vaz or Matt.
I’ll take the hybrid – Perez for 1 time thru lineup and then BP game.
Should be a fun series, Mojo!
Best time of year SFE!
interesting that the Pads fans define themselves in terms of LA. We don’t hear “Let’s go Padres” we hear “Beat LA.” I laugh every time. Also a bit paranoid with the ticket policy prohibiting purchases from LA. Amusing.
I’m not so sure it’s as deep as signifying identity. The Beat LA chant, now universally used everywhere by fans, had its origin from Boston in the 1980s, during those intense battles between the Lakers and Celtics. Sacramento Kings embraced it in the 90s. I attended a Cardinals game in St Louis 20 years ago between LAD and STL and the crowd yelled that chant. Ever been to a Giants v LAD game in SF? Beat LA isn’t an identity for any team, but it’s probably a compliment to LAD. Good luck this weekend Mojo. Go Padres! The number 3 payroll in MLB vs the # 15 payroll, but I think it’s closer than that.
Good luck to you and yours Brew.
“probably a compliment to LAD.” totally.
Still amused, Mojo
“still amused”
It’s important to find humor wherever possible, it’s all just fun and games to me.
I like Waldron but I have to agree. I imagine it would be a Perez+Hoeing piggyback start, depending on how Perez looks.
Waldron has just been inconsistent overall and definitely looked like he hit the wall to end the year. When the knuckleball was working, he looked pretty damn good. But when it wasn’t working, he got shelled.
I think there’s a solid base for him to work off of going into next year. I think he’s got the potential to be a good backend starter.
I’m also waiting on series rosters to be set. Will Sean Reynolds be added? He could eat up an inning or two
If Joe is dropped, Reynolds is added and he follows Perez, then Hoeing and then depending on rest and score, decide as you go.
sounds like a plan LT! Go Pads
They can swap Joe for Perez but to add Reynolds they would need to sell another players. Prob would drop lockridge if the add Reynolds’s.
Yes or maybe even Matsui if they feel the need to keep Lockridge.
5 game series has rest built in for BP.
Could be but given prellers comments before this series he made it sound that not keeping Matsui was ever a possibility.
I like having lockridge available but if they are going to need to use more pen arms they will have to consider their options. If I remember right I think Matsui has been pretty good vs Ohtani. If so he may have real value yet.
This is the way I see it – Cease, King this weekend then Yu on Tuesday. if Pads are down 2 games to 1, Cease (who has a very resilient arm) has said he could go Wednesday if needed. If they’re up 2 games to 1, then Cease would go Friday if necessary and the Padres are likely to do a Perez+Hoening-pen game on Wednesday.
Sounds like it’s Cease and Yu this weekend. King on Tuesday
3 game sweep is also an option!
earth axis re-adjustment LT
Thinking out loud: how long has it been that the Dodgers face a team coming out of the Wild Card round that has had a legitimate few days off prior? Always seems they start the playoffs playing against squads coming out of a 5 game thriller to advance, who are on point and haven’t had the days erode any of the edge they have been playing with. Baseball isn’t easy, and days off count. Winding it back up after a break isn’t exactly easy to do and has been the Dodgers downfall more than once in the past. Actually glad to see SD sweep and get a couple days off themselves.
yeah I know the first round is three games, but the thought stands. That bye does no team any favors.
Baseball players are creatures of habit, perhaps more so then any other major sport because baseball is played on an almost daily basis for 6 months. The All-Star game is the only time all year where players get a multi-day break. Often times, some players and even some teams come out ice cold after that break.
I know the purists would rant and rave, but the solution is two more playoff teams per league. An 8 team format like NHL and NBA would allow all playoff teams to play each round, reducing the imbalance in schedules.
There’s no way the league would ever reduce back to 4 teams.
the bye helps those with swollen ankles and torn adductors…
But baseball is 90 per cent mental. The other half is physical.
thank you Yogi
Yep. Looking forward to that series.
With their crippled rotation and Freeman, I am pretty sure that the Dodgers are more than happy to have time off until Saturday.
That said, let’s go Padres!
LFGSD
Sharpening our dragon-slaying swords as we speak…
@Gwynning
Here’s to a great series. May you come in a close second.
*mug tap*
Cheers Mojo
Go Pads
rotation isn’t going to get any less crippled in three days, and Freeman and Rojas aren’t suddenly going to be 100% but you knew that wasn’t the point of my post, right?
@hall
I wasn’t arguing with your post. Merely pointing out the off days help the currently injured. I’ll take 80% of Freeman any day.
@mojo that post was for @lets go dbacks
Anyone have the gumption to predict Detroit over Cleveland?
I do! Detroit over Cleveland
Your gumption is showing
*ziiip*
Yep, I can see this series 3-1 or 3-2 for either Cleveland or Detroit. I just don’t think it’ll be a sweep.
Props to Higgy for noticing that Musgrove was in pain during the 4th.
Tough one for Joe, but it feels like the elbow was on borrowed time with the bone chip. His current issue being something else makes me more concerned. Fortunately, Padres have 3 solid starters and some opener/piggyback options.
Hopefully it’s nothing serious and he can get that bone spur taken care of in the off-season. Definitely feel for the guy
Mets fan here… but they blew their chance last night.
Can’t go 2-11 w/RISP position, 9 LOB against a strong team like the Brewers and expect to win.
Made up for it tonight!
Hard for me to root for the Padres with irritating guys like Tatis on the team, but I’m not rooting for the Mutts, Phils, or Dodgers either. O’s would have been an easy team to root for the rest of the way, but they out too. Go Indians I guess!
@Trade: Detroit’s easy to root for………..
Root for the….Braves
The Padres are so screwed without Musgrove. That will be the difference in this series. Sickening, because it enables the team that buys everyone to advance, but we all knew this was coming the minute Ohtani sold out to sign up for the easy ring because he was too lazy to explore new horizons and leave SoCal and its insane tax rates.
Losing Musgrove is huge of course, but maybe not as big of an impact to this Padre team as some are thinking. Will be interesting to see how Darvish responds. He didn’t have to return this year but did so for the team and in great loyalty to Peter Seidler’s dream. Yu pitched very well in September and will be as determined as he’s ever been in these playoffs.
If there’s no damage or further damage to be caused by the bone spurs for Musgrove, a PRP injection and a cortisone shot can place him back on the mound.
yeah, he did the PRP injection earlier in the year, took about 6 weeks to take effect and get him back to pitching
Joe said it felt like a different problem than his bone spurs issue.
Cease and Darvish will pitch in games 1 and 2. Padres just need to find a way to win one of those games.
King game 3 and the entire kitchen sink game 4 if there is one.
Let’s win them both Simm!
some people put the ignore in ignoramus
@manfred
what are you talking about lmao???
Turned out to be the difference after all. So I knew what I was talking about.
I’m not sure why the Mets didn’t use Diaz for a 2-inning save yesterday. He pitched Monday, but had Tuesday off.
And I’d question the Astros with Hader. They threw him for an inning in game 1, so they didn’t use him for a 2-inning save in game 2. They were down 3-0 in game 1, so it feels like a reckless gamble. What are the chances of winning down 3-0 in the 9th?
Welp today when we were down 2-0 in the 9th I thought not keeping Diaz in yesterday ended our season, but surprise surprise!