The Opener: NLDS, ALDS, Injuries

As the playoffs continue, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. NLDS continues:

After an off-day yesterday, the NLDS continues today. The Brewers and Cubs are heading back to Wrigley Field with Chicago on the verge of elimination. Right-hander Jameson Taillon (3.68 ERA) will carry the hopes of the Cubs on his shoulder, while Quinn Priester (3.32 ERA) will try to send Milwaukee to the NLCS tonight at 4:08pm local time. Four hours later at 6:08pm local time, the Phillies and Dodgers will play Game 3 at Dodger Stadium with Philadelphia on the brink. Aaron Nola (6.01 ERA) is expected to start today’s game for the Phillies, but Alden Gonzalez of ESPN relays that manager Rob Thomson told reporters southpaw Ranger Suarez (3.20 ERA) will also pitch in the game. However those two divide today’s work, they’ll be faced with a fearsome opponent as Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.49 ERA) looks to lock up the series for Los Angeles.

2. ALDS continues:

While the NLDS is still at Game 3, the ALDS have had an extra game with both series currently split two games to one. The first game of the day is at 3:08pm local time in Detroit, where the Tigers will look to avoid elimination and tie up the series with right-hander Casey Mize (3.87 ERA) on the mound opposite Mariners righty Bryce Miller (5.68 ERA). At 7:08pm local time in the Bronx, meanwhile, the Yankees will be looking to build on yesterday’s comeback victory of the Blue Jays and tie up the series after going down two games to zero.

Toronto manager John Schneider told reporters (including Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet) last night that “everyone is available” for Game 4 as they look to avoid the series coming back to Toronto for a decisive Game 5. He said he wasn’t “exactly sure” who would start the game this evening at the time, although Louis Varland has been announced as the game’s starter since then as a likely opener after surrendering a three-run homer to Aaron Judge yesterday. Regardless of who ends up pitching the bulk of Toronto’s innings, they’ll be facing Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler (2.96 ERA) with New York’s playoff hopes on the line.

3. Playoff injuries:

While the division series continue, there are some notable injury questions facing two of the NL clubs that could wind up impacting the series in a big way. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com relays that, per Brewers manager Pat Murphy, star outfielder Jackson Chourio is still bothered by the hamstring injury that saw him pulled from both Games 1 and 2 of the series, even as he managed to hit a decisive homer on his ailing hamstring in Game 2. Chourio has been among the Brewers best players both this year and during the postseason, so losing him for Game 3 would be a massive blow. Meanwhile, the Phillies may be without Harrison Bader when fighting for their playoff lives in L.A. tonight. Gonzalez relays that Thomson told reporters Bader’s presence in the lineup will be “a game-time decision” as Bader nurses a groin injury suffered in Game 1 of the series on Saturday. He was not in the lineup for Game 2 but did pinch hit in the game, recording a single off Alex Vesia.