The two National League Division Series are turning out to be competitive after all. Both the Brewers and Dodgers had a chance to sweep last night, but the Cubs and Phillies had other plans. That means
that all four Division Series have gone to at least a fourth game, and the only team eliminated so far is the Yankees. (I just wanted to mention the Yankees’ elimination again. It will never not be delightful.)
Can Milwaukee or L.A. finish the job tonight and punch their tickets to the NLCS, or are either or both of these series headed to a winner-take-all Game 5 on Saturday? Let’s find out.
Phillies at Dodgers, 6:08 ET, TBS/HBO Max
LHP Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow (LAD)
It would have behooved the Dodgers to finish off the series last night, because now they have to deal with Sánchez, one of the favorites (along with Paul Skenes) to win the NL Cy Young. Sánchez led all major league pitchers with an 8.0 WAR this season, going 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA, and allowed barely more than a baserunner per inning with a 1.06 WHIP. He was one of only three pitchers to throw 200+ innings this season. In Game 1 of this series, he held the Dodgers to two runs in 5.2 innings.
The Dodgers will counter with Glasnow, who was last seen pitching in relief in Game 1. His 1.2 scoreless innings opened the door for L.A. to rally back from a 3-0 deficit and win. Overall, though, he doesn’t have a good October track record, with a career 5.51 postseason ERA dating back to his Rays tenure. The Dodgers have been a bit short-handed in the bullpen — forcing them to let Clayton Kershaw give up five runs in relief last night — so they’ll be hoping that Glasnow can be at his best and eat some innings while he’s at it.
Brewers at Cubs, 9:08 ET, TBS/HBO Max
RHP Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs. LHP Matt Boyd (CHC)
Why is this game, played in the Central time zone, starting so late? Nobody knows. Sorry to any kids who might have been interested in watching the whole game. In any case, the Cubs stayed alive yesterday by scoring four runs in the first inning and hanging on for dear life for a 4-3 win. Now it’ll be the Brewers’ second attempt to clinch the series.
It’s a rematch of Game 1 between Peralta and Boyd, a battle that was decisively won by the former. The Brewers right-hander struck out nine batters in 5.2 strong innings, while the Milwaukee bats ambushed the veteran Cubs lefty for six runs and knocked him out in the opening frame. That marked an uncharacteristic struggle in the playoffs for Boyd, who carried a career 1.10 postseason ERA into the game. Can prominent Brewers righty hitters Jackson Chourio (6-for-11) and William Contreras (5-for-12) continue their red-hot NLCS performances against Boyd?
