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The MLB playoffs have been exciting so far, with multiple walkoffs and star players showing up all across the league. I can't imagine many of you enjoyed seeing Josh Donaldson joyfully racing home to win the series for Toronto last night. That his winning run dropped the Rangers’ total run differential, postseason and regular season combined, to -4, however, is a bit satisfying, if frustrating. Today two more series’ could wrap up, with one more tied up.
Nationals at Dodgers (Series tied 1-1) - 1 PM PT
The Nationals assembled a set of starting pitchers over the last two years that looked as imposing as any in the league. Injuries and ineffectiveness have rendered them far less dominant than hoped, but Gio Gonzalez has been an unlucky stud for Washington as he has nearly every year. Despite a 12.5% HR/FB percentage far above his career average, Gio can be lockdown. Kenta Maeda and his outrageously shifty fastballs will oppose him. If nothing else, tune in for the first inning to see if Maeda’s fellow rookie Corey Seager will make it three straight first inning home runs this series.
FiveThirtyEight: 58% Dodgers win.
Indians at Red Sox (CLE leads 2-0) - 3:30 PM PT
Josh Tomlin’s nickname, the internet tells me, is ‘Little Cowboy.’ There are a number of questions I have, Cowboys & Indians jokes notwithstanding, but for baseball purposes this is an issue for Cleveland. Tomlin (aka not Carlos Carrasco) starting a playoff game is one of the cracks showing due to Cleveland’s brutal injury luck. Boston’s unpredictable sometimes long reliever Clay Bucholz will try to extend PAHPI’s goodbye tour. This could be a high scoring affair.
FiveThirtyEight: 59% Boston win.
Cubs at Giants (CHC leads 2-0) - 6:30 PM PT
Despite being, on paper, arguably a matchup of the best team in the playoffs vs the worst, this seems likely to be the most exciting matchup of the night. Jake Arrieta vs. Madison Bumgarner, in a showdown of players who have had dominant performances in the playoffs. If you like beards, bays, and traveling bleacher bums this is the game for you.
FiveThirtyEight: 52% Cubs win.
If you are missing Mariners baseball, make sure you check out Kate’s piece today on Tyler O’Neill’s most recent masterpiece.
Go M’s.