MLB Playoffs Are Heating Up

Photo+courtesy+of+Tim+Gouw+on+Unsplash.com

Photo courtesy of Tim Gouw on Unsplash.com

Colin Hoelzl, Staff Writer

The playoffs are heating up throughout baseball, with many exciting series across the league. After the Yankees lost to the Boston Red Sox 6-2 in the American League Wild-Card game, and the Cardinals lost to the Dodgers 3-1 in a National League Wild-Card thriller, the stage is set for the National League and American League Division Series (ALDS) to begin with many exciting matchups. 

 

Red Sox tied with Rays in ALDS, 1-1 

The Red Sox and Rays kicked off the ALDS in Tampa on Thursday: the Rays beating Boston 5-0. Randy Arozarena went 1-2 with a home run and 2 walks, his most notable moment in the game being when he stole home in the bottom of the 7th inning to give Tampa a 5-0 lead over Boston. Shane McClanahan started for the Rays and pitched 5 scoreless innings, gave up 5 hits, and struck out 3 batters. In Game 2, Boston clobbered Tampa 14-6 after the Rays took a 3 run lead after the 1st inning. Enrique Hernández led the way for the Red Sox with a home run, 3 doubles, and 3 RBIs. J.D. Martinez also had an impressive day at the plate going 4-5 with a home run, a double, and 3 RBIs. The Rays’ top prospect Shane Baz had a rough outing, with 2.1 IP, and 3 runs on 6 hits. 

 

Houston leads ALDS over White Sox, 2-0 

Houston opened up the series with a win over Chicago, beating the White Sox 6-1. Yordan Alvarez led the offensive charge for the Astros as he went 2-3, with a home run, a double, and 2 RBIs. Lance McCullers Jr. started for the Astros and pitched 6.2 innings, gave up 4 hits, and struck out 4. The Astros scored 5 runs in the 7th inning to help them secure a 9-4 win over the White Sox in the 2nd game of the series. Kyle Tucker blasted a 2-run homer in the 7th inning to give the Astros a 9-4 lead, and went 2-4 at the plate. 

 

Giants and Dodgers tied in NLDS, 1-1

The Giants’ pitching carried them to a shutout win over the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS. Logan Webb started the game for the Giants and pitched 7.2 scoreless innings, gave up 5 hits, and struck out 10 batters in an impressive outing. Left fielder Kris Bryant went 3-3 with a solo home run. The Dodgers won 9-2 in Game 2 of the series, as Julio Urías pitched 5.0 innings, gave up 3 hits, and struck out 5. He also singled in the top of the 2nd inning to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. 

 

Atalanta tied with Brewers in NLDS, 1-1 

The Brewers edged out a narrow 2-1 victory over the Braves Friday to take the series lead. Corbin Burnes pitched 6.0 scoreless innings, gave up 2 hits, and struck out 6 batters. Rowdy Tellez homered in the 7th to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead. Max Fried started game 2 of the series for Atlanta and pitched 6 scoreless innings, gave up 3 hits, and struck out 9 batters as the Braves pitching carried them to a 3-0 win over the Brewers. Austin Riley went 2-4 at the plate with a homer.