As the Yankees and Guardians head to Cleveland with New York up 2-0, here are a few things to watch for today:
1. NLCS Game 3:
The Dodgers and Mets left L.A. with the NLCS all tied up, and tonight they’ll take the field in Queens to continue the series. The Dodgers will send right-hander Walker Buehler (5.38 ERA in 16 starts) to the mound in hopes of stronger results after the righty was lit up for six runs in five innings while striking out just one against the Padres in his most recent postseason start. The Mets will counter with right-hander Luis Severino (3.91 ERA in 31 starts) on the heels of a quality start by the righty in the NLDS where he struck out seven Phillies over six innings while surrendering three runs. The matchup between the two hurlers is scheduled to start at 8:08pm local time this evening.
2. Lux day-to-day?
Headed into tonight’s game, one question facing the Dodgers is the availability of second baseman Gavin Lux. As noted by MLB.com, Lux was out of the starting lineup in Game 2, replaced by Enrique Hernandez at second base. The move to not start Lux came on the heels of the 26-year-old being removed from Game 1 due to hip tightness. While manager Dave Roberts indicated prior to the game that Lux would be available off the bench, he ultimately did not make an appearance in Game 2. Following a day off and with a right-handed starter on the mound, will Lux be healthy enough to take the field? While the infielder’s 100 wRC+ during the regular season doesn’t stand out, Lux had a huge finish to the year, hitting .304/.390/.508 in 210 plate appearances after the All-Star break, and he went 5-for-18 with a homer and a walk during the NLDS against San Diego.
3. Rizzo day-to-day:
Coming off a second consecutive win against the Guardians in the ALCS, one focus for the Yankees on their day off will be monitoring the status of veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo was unavailable for the ALDS but returned to the roster for the championship series to play through two fractured fingers on his right hand. The 35-year-old has done quite well for himself on the field so far, going 3-for-7 with a walk and a double, but Brendan Kuty of The Athletic noted before yesterday’s game that Rizzo’s availability is truly day-to-day after he was pulled from Game 1 of the series early and entered the day of Game 2 with his availability uncertain. Rizzo managed to play the full game yesterday, however, and with a day off today there’s certainly reason for optimism that he’ll be able to remain in the club’s lineup as the series heads to Cleveland tomorrow.
4. MLBTR Chat today:
MLBTR’s Steve Adams wasn’t able to host his usual Tuesday chat with readers this week, so it’ll take place this afternoon instead. If you have a question about free agency, your favorite team’s offseason direction, potential winter trades, the ongoing postseason, etc. — you can click here to submit a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to participate live at 3pm CT or read the transcript after the chat has been completed.
To be fair, Roja’s being a selfish a-hole is was cost Buehler runs in that game.
Someone with a username of “corrosive” may not care about using caustic lany.
Thanks. Also, “language” somehow was cropped/changed to “lany.”
There’s a funnier timeline where the Yankees repeat Severino’s 4/$44 mil contract and it works out. If he rebounds like he did this year in Queens, it’s a bargain. If he gets kicked out of the rotation, $11 million is about market rate for 99 with a hammer in the bullpen. The Yankees didn’t need to run it back, but it’d have made for a better story than Marcus Stroman
Former Yankees leading the charge for their teams. Monty last year and now Sevy. I definitely didn’t want Montas back but I would have considered Sevy more. Win or lose this postseason the Yankees have decisions to make. Starting with bringing back Soto. Say good bye to Torres, Rizzo and hopefully DJL. I’m thinking it’s time for more younger players like Dominez, Vivas, Pereza, Rice, Durbin etc to step up especially if cutting payroll is a priority to keep Soto.
That Yankees/Guardians game last night was a sloppy game from both sides. Guardians had so many chances to get runs and couldn’t pull the trigger. Let’s see how they do back home in Cleveland.
The Guardians can’t afford to make mistakes.
They were the third weakest offensive team to enter this years playoffs, better only then their two AL Central counterparts KC and Detroit. They have virtually no margin for error.
The Yankees had the third highest team OPS+ behind only the Dodgers and Orioles, and hit the most homeruns. The Yanks can afford a mistake without it crushing their chances.
It’s been a rough past 2 years for Rizzo health/stats wise but it’s great seeing him contribute this series despite him playing through another injury.
Craven: It’s nice to see a high paid player actually playing through a difficult injury instead of deciding not to play and sitting on his fat wallet.
I have a great deal of respect for Rizzo. He fought cancer and was going through chemo at the same time his grandmother fought breast cancer in 2008. I know it’s unlikely the Yankees bring him back in 2025 but I’ll always appreciate getting to see him play for the Yankees.
All I’m saying is it’s a travesty the awards are voted on before the playoffs. Mr greatest thing since sliced bread already with 12ks in 32ABs with one measly HR.
Terry – There’s a regular season MVP award and there’s postseason MVP awards. As it should be.
Whatever Judge doesn’t do during the postseason has no bearing on what he did during the regular season.
Nor should players who didn’t get to the postseason be at a disadvantage for the regular season MVP award.
My point was Ohtani is a bum and Toronto dodged a bullet
The playoffs bullet
Terry – Haha ….. okay, very small sample size but you’re entitled to your opinion.
Lots of guys who perform well during the regular season also perform poorly in the postseason, look at Mookie for example.
Toronto also dodged the playoffs because they didn’t have enough offense in the regular season. I’m sure they would have been happy to have Ohtani driving their offense into the playoffs.
Canuck – You meant offence, correct? ;O)
A bum? Thanks for this thoughtful take, a huge contribution to the discussion.
And marketing revenue big time.
Hello Zack.
I am fully aware of the awards and award system. The statistics listed are the postseason stats for Shohei Ohtani and not Aaron Judge. I hope this helps you understand.
Actually the correct stats are 27AB. 32 are his plate appearances (5BBs)
As if walks should count as a recognized stat. The absolute cheapest and most disrespectful way to get on first base. I can’t believe you people watch this
Ok troll. Done with you.
You were voted worst poster here on several polls. I am the one that is done with you.
Buehler had 0 K’s against the Padres in the NLDS. He had 1 K against them in his final regular season start, though.
Buehler wont last 5 innings tonight. He will get lit up worse than he did last time out. This series ends in New York. LA just doesnt have the pitching to win this series.
Shows what I know. Mets mojo looks like it has run out.
The Mutts look to be in a great position to take the series.
Old York,
Are you a Yankees fan by any chance? Pretty sure you’re not a Mets fan lol
@Acoss1331
No.
MLB’s marketing of the playoffs is and has been a total failure. For several years. TBS, TruTV, Fox1. Can they be more stupid? It seems they don’t want people to watch.
NLCS Game 1 was run at 5 PM Sunday local time and Game 2 at 1 PM Monday local time, when just the opposite would have made better sense in terms of both attendance and viewing. The reasoning I suppose was for the broadcasts to not interfere with football games. Seems the broadcasters are in the driver’s seat on this one.
Lux gotta stop the hog slams with kike…hip can’t take it. 🙁
Kike also took out Bellinger a few years back. “They shouldn’t mess with dudes way stronger than them”
Lux shouldn’t be out drinking with Kershaw and Barnes after games.