And just like that, the Guardians are one win away from an American League Division Series date with the Yankees, while the Rays are breaking Glas in case of emergency.
“Glas,” of course, is Tyler Glasnow, who made his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery two weeks ago — coincidentally, against the Guardians — and has looked sharp in two starts. With the Rays in a 1-0 hole after a 2-1 loss in the opener of this best-of-three AL Wild Card Series at Progressive Field, they’ll be counting on their ace, who will likely be limited to somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 to 85 pitches, to set a triumphant tone and then be ready to back him up with an arsenal of arms in Game 2 this afternoon.
The Guardians will counter with a fresh Triston McKenzie, whose breakout was a big key to their rise this season. Cleveland has not advanced in the postseason since the 2016 run to the AL pennant. A win today would change that.
The Mariners are one win away from the ALDS, and they’ll send a former Blue Jays ace — and Cy Young Award winner — to the mound to try to seal the set.
Playing the franchise’s first postseason game in 21 years — after breaking the sport’s longest playoff drought — Seattle took Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series in Toronto. Here are some key facts and figures to know about this long-awaited victory.
In the eight Wild Card Series in 2020, six teams won Game 1 and went on to sweep the best-of-three set. The other two? The team that won Game 2 took the series in Game 3. Will San Diego sweep, or will New York extend the series to Sunday?
Both St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol and Philadelphia skipper Rob Thomson set up their Wild Card Series rotation with Game 2 in mind. Miles Mikolas will try to keep the Cards’ season going, while Aaron Nola hopes to pitch Philly into the NLDS.
Phillies righty Aaron Nola spent the past offseason traveling across the country in a van with his fiancée and their dog, seeing the sights and sleeping in Cracker Barrel parking lots.