It’s the final four-game day of the MLB postseason, and with two pivotal Game 3 matchups in the American League and two Game 4 elimination matchups in the National League, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
In the ALDS, the Detroit Tigers bested the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in the early matchup on Wednesday, taking a 2-0 lead in that series.
Over in the NL, the Phillies have their backs against the wall in Game 4 against the Mets. The pitching matchup will see Ranger Suarez for Philadelphia against Jose Quintana for New York.
Later in Kansas City, the Royals host the Yankees in Game 3. K.C. took Game 2 by a score of 4-2 to take home-field advantage in the series. Maikel Garcia had four hits, and Salvador Perez homered in the victory. In Game 3, the Yankees send Clark Schmidt to the mound against Seth Lugo for the Royals.
Another game between the Tigers and Guardians, another shutout.
Riley Greene, Matt Vierling and Spencer Torkelson provided the runs as the Tigers took a 2-1 series lead in the ALDS with a 3-0 win in Game 3. The Tigers were powered early on by strong pitching from reliever Brant Hurter, who threw 3 1/2 scoreless innings after starter Keider Montero kept the Guardians quiet in the first inning. Greene’s first inning single and Vierling’s third-inning sacrifice fly helped put Detroit up 2-0.
Torkelson, who entered the day hitless in his previous 14 at-bats, later roped a run-scoring double in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend the Detroit lead to 3-0, which was more than enough considering how well the Tigers’ bullpen was performing.
After Hurter exited the game, Beau Brieske came on and continued his dominant postseason run with two more scoreless innings of relief. In three appearances this series, the Tigers reliever has three strikeouts in 3 1/2 innings and has not allowed a hit or a run.
The Guardians had their chances, but left eight runners on base and managed just six total hits off Tigers pitching on Wednesday — three of which came off the bat of Steven Kwan. They have now gone 20 consecutive innings without scoring a run. Detroit can close out Cleveland in Game 4 on Thursday.
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NYM-PHI: Mets load the bases again, come up empty
The Mets are making Robert Suarez work. The Phillies starter led off the second by walking Tyrone Taylor and allowing a single to Francisco Alvarez, then loaded the bases for the second time in two innings with a two-out infield single by Mark Vientos.
But he got out of the jam again by inducing a groundout from Brandon Nimmo. That’s six baserunners allowed in two innings. But more importantly, it’s zero runs allowed, and the game remains in a scoreless tie. Suarez is up to 53 pitches.
DET-CLE: Tigers win 3-0, take 2-1 series lead
That’s it from Detroit. The Tigers can end the series in Game 4 on Thursday.
DET-CLE: Last chance for Guardians in top of the 9th
Andrés Giménez, Jhonkensy Noel and Angel Martinez are due up with Tyler Holton entering the game for Detroit.
NYM-PHI: Quintana’s cruising
Jose Quintana allowed his first base-runner with a walk of J.T. Realmuto. But the Mets starter is otherwise cruising through two scoreless innings. 0-0 heading to the bottom of the second.
DET-CLE: Tigers three outs away from 2-1 ALDS lead
Will Vest gets José Ramírez and Josh Naylor to fly out and catches Lane Thomas looking to close out the top of the 8th inning. The Tigers are up 3-0 and are one inning away from taking Game 3.
LAD-SD: No Miguel Rojas for Dodgers
While the Padres are using their usual lineup, the Dodgers are not starting usual shortstop Miguel Rojas, who exited Game 3 with an injury. Tommy Edman is moving from center to shortstop and Kiké Hernández is taking over in center
NYM-PHI: Ranger Suarez gets into, out of bases-loaded jam
Ranger Suarez worked into and out of a first-inning jam. The Phillies’ starter allowed a double, walk and infield single to load the bases with one out. But he struck out Jose Iglesias and J.D. Martinez to get out of the inning unscathed. He’s up to three strikeouts after striking out leadoff hitter Francisco Lindor.
Lot of work for the Phillies’ starter, who’s up to 30 pitches after one inning.
DET-CLE: Matt Vierling robs David Fry of a run-scoring hit
A massive play with two outs and two runners on in the top of the 7th inning.
NYM-PHI
Ranger Suarez takes the mound for the Phillies as they look to stave off elimination. He posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 150 2/3 innings pitched in the regular season.
NYM-PHI: Quintana Ks Schwarber, Harper in 1-2-3 first
Jose Quintana’s off to a strong start. He struck out Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber and closed a 1-2-3 first inning the with a strikeout of Bryce Harper.
DET-CLE: Brieske leaves for Sean Guenther
Brieske exits as he continued his dominant postseason with two more strong innings.
In three games this season the Tigers reliever has three strikeouts in 3 1/2 innings and not allowed a hit or a run.
LAD-SD: Dodgers starting reliever Ryan Brasier vs. Dylan Cease
It will be a Dodgers bullpen game against Dylan Cease on short rest in Game 4. Ryan Brasier will get the start while rookie Landon Knack is lined up to be the bulk guy. Knack was solid during the regular season (3.65 ERA in 15 appearances, 12 starts), but the Dodgers are trying to find every advantage in a must-win game.
NYM-PHI
We’re moments from first pitch a Citi Field. Veteran Jose Quintana will take the mound for New York in the top of the first as the Mets look to close out the series.
Quintana’s been lights-out lately. He’s 4-1 with a 0.64 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in his last seven starts.
DET-CLE: Torkelson’s double puts Tigers up 3-0
Spencer Torkelson picks a good time for his first hit of the postseason. After going hit-less in his first 14 at-bats, Torkelson ripped an Eli Morgan pitch down the left field line to score Colt Keith and put Detroit up 3-0 in the bottom of the 6th inning.
NYM-PHI: Starting lineups for Game 3
First pitch from CitiField coming up at 5:08 p.m. ET
Five up, five down for Brieske
The Tigers reliever has been perfect since coming in for Hurter. Brieske has thrown 1 2/3 innings and retired all five batters he’s faced, including two strikeouts.
Herrin escapes a jam
The Tigers fail to score as Herrin gets Matt Vierling and Riley Green to fly out.
Tim Herrin takes over for Erik Sabrowski
The Guardians reliever enters the game with a runner on first base and the Tigers holding a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning.
Beau Brieske relieves Brant Hurter
Hurter’s final line: 3.1, 5 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Brieske gets the final two outs of the inning, striking out David Fry and getting José Ramírez to pop out to center field.
