Hello folks! Let’s kick off your Friday with some links.
In playoff news...
- The good news is that if the Cubs tie the series today with a win, we’ll have a game to watch this weekend (as of now, Saturday and Sunday are totally game-free).
The Cubs/Marlins game has been postponed. Game 2 now Friday at 1 CT. Game 3 on Sat, if needed, TBA
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 1, 2020
- The Braves shut out the Reds for the second game in a row, winning 5-0 to advance to the NLDS. The Reds became the first team in playoff history to fail to score a run in a multi-game playoff series.
- The A’s officially advanced to the next round of the playoffs by knocking off the White Sox 6-4 in Game 3. It’s the first playoff series win for Oakland since 2006.
- The Padres won a high-scoring affair against the Cardinals in order to stay alive in the series.
- Clayton Kershaw kicked his playoff curse and tossed a gem against the Brewers, leading the Dodgers to the NLDS with a series sweep.
In Mariners news...
- Corey Brock at The Athletic did his first reader mailbag of the offseason, previewing what the M’s could do this winter and next season. ($)
Around the league...
That game was 4 hours and 50 minutes. That's the longest nine-inning game -- both regular season and postseason -- in MLB history.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) October 1, 2020
- With the regular season standings and thus the 2021 draft order solidified, it’s officially Mock Draft Szn. Here’s Baseball America’s first mock for next summer. ($)
- Even though fans will be allowed to NLCS and World Series games this year, players themselves will not be seeing any of the revenue, reports Maury Brown.
- This is certainly a unique home run celebration!
The Sultan of Selfie #MixItUp pic.twitter.com/hHWY4WovSi
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 1, 2020
- Justin Verlander officially underwent Tommy John surgery, keeping him out of games through at least 2021.
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is discouraging his players from speaking to ESPN during games after Justin Turner did so in Game 1.
Anders’ picks...
- No but for real, this is incredible content.
i can’t stop watching this pic.twitter.com/0o41Rbbaeh
— Scream Park (@GenePark) September 30, 2020
- Our very own Matthew Roberson previewed the WNBA finals, which features the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces and kicks off tonight.