The 2024 MLB postseason rolls on with the start of the best-of-five Division Series on Saturday. Three of the wild-card round series ended in 2-0 sweeps, with the Tigers, Royals and Padres having two days off to set their lineups and rotations for the next round, while the Mets needed three games to eliminate the Brewers.
Saturday’s Game 1s are being played in Cleveland and New York (AL) and Philadelphia and Los Angeles (NL). Both National League Division Series will play Game 2 on Sunday, and both American League Division Series will continue with Game 2 on Monday.
Which teams will take an early lead en route to the Championship Series? Follow along with live updates, highlights and more below.
Guardians 7, Tigers 0
The Cleveland Guardians took Game 1 in commanding fashion with a 7-0 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Cleveland started the game strong, with a five-run first inning highlighted by Lane Thomas’ three-run homer. Thomas sent Reese Olson’s first relief pitch over the left-field wall.
Olson calmed things down over the next several innings, but the Guardians got to reliever Sean Guenther in the bottom of the sixth, when David Fry’s two-run double extended their lead to 7-0.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee went 4 2/3 innings and allowed zero runs on four hits while striking out six batters.
Game 2 will be at 4:08 p.m. ET Monday at Progressive Field. The likely starting pitchers will be Tarik Skubal for the Tigers and Matthew Boyd for the Guardians.
Here’s a look at the four Game 1s set for Saturday and how you can watch:
Live42 updates
-
-
-
-
-
-
Phillies’ 1-0 score holds through six
The Mets send the Phillies three up, three down to close out the sixth. It’s a slow game, but a strong showing from both teams on the defensive end.
-
Zack Wheeler gets two more strikeouts to quickly end the top of the sixth. With the Phillies at bat, Mets pitcher David Peterson is replaced by Reed Garrett, who quickly strikes out Nick Castellanos.
-
Still 1-0 after five
David Peterson gets a big strikeout on Bryce Harper — Peterson’s first of the game — to close out the fifth inning. It’s still 1-0, Phillies, in this defense-dominated game.
-
In the top of the fifth, Mets outfielder Starling Marte is hit in the forearm by Wheeler’s pitch and ends up on first. Marte heads toward the dugout for a moment, clearly in pain, but comes back into the game to run.
But the Mets leave yet another runner stranded as Wheeler gets two massive strikeouts back-to-back. Wheeler is now at seven strikeouts in the first five innings.
-
Philadelphia holding on to 1-0 lead at the top of the fourth
The Mets close out the fourth inning with a few key plays to keep Phillies players stranded on base and keep things at 1-0.
-
The Mets got two on the bases early, setting up a potential scoring opportunity. But Wheeler was able to strike out Pete Alonso, and the Phillies followed things up with a double play to close out the top of the fourth. Philadelphia is holding on to its 1-0 lead with some strong defense; can the Phillies add more runs to widen the gap as the game goes on?
-
Phillies still up 1-0 at the end of the third inning
David Peterson is now pitching for the Mets, replacing Kodai Senga after two innings. He soon lets up a single to Kyle Schwarber, who is 2-for-2 so far.
The Mets have a chance for a double play to close the inning, but Trea Turner’s speed spoils that plan. Turner is then caught off the base by Peterson, and just barely makes it back to first. A challenge by the Mets is unsuccessful, and Turner is ruled safe.
In the end, it doesn’t matter, as the Mets get the final out off a Nick Castellanos flyout and leave the inning down only 1-0.
-
Efficient pitching is making this a close game, with Wheeler retiring seven batters in two innings and Senga eight.
Through the second, Wheeler has thrown 20 strikes and three strikeouts. Only one Met has reached the bases, with Jesse Winker getting to first with a walk, but Wheeler closed out the inning soon after.
Other than Schwarber’s homer, Senga is also doing well, throwing 18 strikes and three strikeouts. Due to his injuries, Senga is on limited pitches today; after 31 pitches in these first two innings, Senga may return for one more inning before he is replaced.
-
Philadelphia up 1-0 after the first inning
The Phillies lead the Mets 1-0 at the end of the first inning after Kyle Schwarber hits a massive homer, much to the delight of the rowdy Philadelphia crowd.
It’s tough for Mets pitcher Kodai Senga, who has missed most of the season with injuries, and who gets an absolute banger from Schwarber on his return.
-
Kyle Schwarber opens the scoring for Philadelphia with a leadoff bomb
-
Three up, three down from Wheeler to start things off for the Phillies
Wheeler makes quick work of the first inning, with Francisco Lindor lining out and Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo striking out.
-
NYM-PHI has begun
We’re underway for the second divisional playoff game of the day, with the Phillies hosting the Mets for Game 1 of their five-game series. Although Philadelphia is favored, New York is a true wild card, having brought some chaos to the postseason this past week.
The Phillies are starting with righty Zack Wheeler, while the Mets — in a bit of a surprise move — are going with Kodai Senga in Philadelphia.
-
-
-
