MLB wild-card playoff scores, schedule, bracket and news: Live updates - The Athletic

2022-10-09 09:56:32 By : Ms. Fannie Fang

Just two teams remain in the 2022 Wild Card Series, as the Padres and Mets will face off in a decisive Game 3 on Sunday night at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Guardians, Mariners and Phillies have already punched their tickets to the Division Series. If you need a refresher on the new playoff format, click here. Follow along for live updates.

(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)

ST. LOUIS — The Philadelphia Phillies shut out the St. Louis Cardinals in a 2-0 win Saturday night to advance to their first National League Division Series since 2011.

Two weeks ago, the Phillies packed for a road trip that had no final destination or set length. They were guaranteed nothing — no champagne celebrations, no postseason. But, when they left Philadelphia on Sept. 25, they knew the mission. Find a way to bring October baseball back to Citizens Bank Park.

They handed the ball to starter Aaron Nola, their longest-tenured player, to clinch the postseason berth. Faced with ending a prestigious era of Cardinals baseball, Nola rose to the moment in 6 2/3 scoreless innings.

Seven outs after he exited, the Phillies danced on the Busch Stadium grass to punctuate the Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series. They had done it.

There will be postseason baseball at Citizens Bank Park again.

(Photo: Jeff Curry / USA Today)

Phillies blank Cardinals in Game 2, advance to NLDS

NEW YORK — Behind their stars, the Mets kept their season alive Saturday with a 7-3 win over the Padres in Game 2 of their Wild Card Series.

It’ll be Joe Musgrove against Chris Bassitt for Sunday’s deciding Game 3.

Jacob deGrom threw six solid innings and Edwin Díaz provided 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso each hit big home runs early, producing positive signs for an offense that was in need of help from a power standpoint. In the seventh inning, the Mets scored four runs to pull away in what was a close game until that point. The key hit in the inning was Jeff McNeil’s two-run double. Alonso’s home run came on the first pitch of the fifth inning to make it 3-2. Lindor’s blast occurred in the first inning to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.

(Photo: Brad Penner / USA Today)

Mets hold off Padres, force decisive Game 3 in Wild Card Series

Tonight could be Albert Pujols' last-ever game.

Across the field, in the Phillies clubhouse, there is immense respect. Zack Wheeler, who held Pujols hitless in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, had Pujols autograph a jersey for him earlier this season. Bryce Harper doesn't have anything signed by Pujols, but he said he'd take a Yadier Molina chest protector with the Jumpman logo on it. Saturday could be the end of Molina's career too.

Pujols is 3-for-6 with two doubles against Game 2 starter Aaron Nola. Harper has immense respect for the Cardinals legends.

"He had an incredible second half," Harper said of Pujols. "Seven hundred homers. I saw the sign out there as I walked out, and I was like, man that's a lot of homers. That's incredible. You grew up. You watched Albert. You watched Yadi. (Adam) Wainwright as well. These are guys you grew up watching and now they're kind of on their way out, and it's a little sad for the game, right? I mean, you have three of, you know, the best St. Louis Cardinals of all time. I think the game is definitely going to miss them. I think the game is going to have a little bit of a hole for a little bit with Yadi leaving and Albert as well. I have so much respect and gratitude for those guys, because without them, some of us wouldn't be here right now because they paved the way for us.

"They've done a great job, and I hope Albert kind of slows down right now in this series because he's been swinging it so well. But so much gratitude for him."

(Photo: Jeff Curry / USA Today)

A year ago, Sam Hentges was a lost soul in Cleveland’s rotation and, eventually, an unknown commodity in the bullpen. Earlier this year, he had to prove to the Guardians coaching staff he could handle high-leverage situations. He delivered with a months-long stretch in which he’s embodied former Cleveland All-Star Andrew Miller, from the 6-foot-8 frame to the devastating breaking ball, which accounted for all six of his strikeouts in a gutsy, three-inning performance Saturday.

Guardians head to ALDS on 26-6 surge — and no one knows how high their ceiling is

.A Francisco Lindor home run, Trent Grisham bomb, Brandon Nimmo RBI single and a Jurickson Profar RBI infield single brings the score to 2-2 in New York.

The longest scoreless game in playoff history finally ended on a swing by a rookie who started the season in Double A after he was left off the Guardians’ 40-man roster and exposed to a Rule 5 draft last winter that ultimately never occurred.

Just like they drew it up in January.

The Guardians keep doing it their way. They beat the Rays on Saturday, 1-0 in 15 innings to advance to play the Yankees in the American League Division Series. The team that was never invited to the party and wasn’t supposed to be here is now setting the curtains on fire and refusing to leave.

“I’ve never seen a season like this, a team like this, a game like this,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “We’re making people rethink baseball. And it’s so cool.”

‘We’re making people rethink baseball’: Guardians advance with 15-inning marathon win

The Seattle Mariners overcame a seven-run deficit on Saturday to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-9. The Mariners are advancing to the American League Division Series for the first time since 2001.

Mariners overcome 7-run deficit to defeat Blue Jays, advance to ALDS

The Mariners defeated the Blue Jays 10-9 in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series on Friday at Rogers Centre to punch their ticket to the ALDS. Toronto lead most of the game until J.P. Crawford hit a crucial RBI double that scored three in the eight inning to tie the game at nine. With the go-ahead run at second, Adam Fraizer swung at the first pitch to bring in Cal Raleigh — securing Seattle’s win.

Mariners players of the game: Carlos Santana (4-for-2, 2 H, 3 RBI), Adam Frazier (5-for-2, 3 H, 1 RBI)

Blue Jays players of the game: Teoscar Hernandez (3-for-2, 2 H, 4 RBI)

Where the series stands: Mariners sweep Blue Jays to advance to ALDS

In the eighth inning, Blue Jays outfielder George Springer was carted off the field after colliding with Bo Bichette in center field.

Both Springer and Bichette appeared hurt from the collision, with Springer needing support from Blue Jays trainers to stand upright. Bichette stayed in the game after the incident.

Three Mariners scored on the play, tying the game at nine runs apiece.

Blue Jays’ Whit Merrifield, George Springer leave Game 2 vs. Mariners

The Padres did the best job of any team in making trades at the deadline to help them “win now,” landing Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Josh Hader in two mega deals. However, the acquisition of Brandon Drury from the Reds might be a difference-maker for San Diego in the playoffs. Drury has hit 22 doubles and 20 home runs this season, including nine and eight, respectively, in 165 at-bats with the Padres. He’s put up a .335 on-base percentage overall. Drury brings an energetic, hard-nosed approach to the park each day and I’m looking forward to seeing how he fares in the postseason.

(Photo: Orlando Ramirez / USA Today)

MLB playoffs breakout candidates: Picking 1 unexpected October hero for each team

NEW YORK — The start Jacob deGrom has waited to make for seven years cannot wait one more day.

In the aftermath of a brutal 7-1 loss to open their postseason, the Mets made it official: deGrom will take the ball Saturday night in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, the Mets’ season on the line against Blake Snell and the San Diego Padres.

It will be deGrom’s first postseason start since Game 2 of the 2015 World Series. It will be his first-ever postseason start at Citi Field. It could be his last start with the Mets.

Few starts can be more consequential — for this specific team, for this pitcher, and for his place in the franchise’s lore.

“I’m excited. I love pitching here,” deGrom said. “This is a great atmosphere to play in. Fans have been great to me. I’m excited to go out there and see what I can do.”

Read the full story here.

(Photo: Brad Penner / USA Today)

Jacob deGrom has waited seven years for Saturday’s start. Are he and the Mets ready?

The Mets made a roster change ahead of Saturday's Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, adding starter Taijuan Walker to replace left-handed reliever Joely Rodríguez. Rodríguez was forced off the roster by a shoulder issue. He cannot return now before the NLCS.

It was a bit of a surprise New York didn’t carry Walker or another traditional starter to serve as a longman in the Wild Card Series behind starters Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom or Chris Bassitt. Walker now acts as insurance in case of a brief start on Saturday by deGrom or Bassitt in a potential Game 3 Sunday.

Rodríguez was one of the last players to make the roster for New York in the bullpen. He did not pitch in Game 1. As a matter of procedure, his injury was confirmed by MLB's medical director before the roster change was made official.

Carlos Santana launches a three-run home run to cut the Blue Jays' lead to 8-5 in the sixth inning.

It's not over yet. 👀 #postseason pic.twitter.com/2WPjPieu2n

The Blue Jays’ lineup is loaded with difference-making bats, from Bo Bichette to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to George Springer to Teoscar Hernández. It’s not hard to envision Springer as their October hero considering his postseason track record with Houston. However, if a more unexpected October hero arises for Toronto, I think it could be catcher/designated hitter Alejandro Kirk. At 5-foot-8, 245 pounds, Kirk looks more like a softball player than a major leaguer, but don’t let that beer drinking frame get in the way of realizing how talented he is at the plate. He has reached base at nearly a 38 percent clip, hit 14 homers and posted a 127 OPS+ this season. Kirk has been worth 4.0 bWAR. His swing is short, quick and straight to the ball, which has helped him avoid slumps in just over two seasons as a big leaguer.

(Photo: Brad Penner / USA Today)

MLB playoffs breakout candidates: Picking 1 unexpected October hero for each team

With their season on the line, Toronto players said they feel prepared for this moment after their battle-tested season.

“This team battles. We've done it all year,” catcher Danny Jansen said. “We bounce back. Everybody in that clubhouse is fighting for each other and going out there and fighting with each other. So, looking to bounce back.”

The Blue Jays will send Kevin Gausman to the mound Saturday. After he exited his final start of the regular season early with a cut on his right middle finger, interim manager John Schneider said he’s “100 percent, good to go.”

The Mariners are countering with Robbie Ray, which creates an interesting dynamic. Ray pitched for the Blue Jays in 2020 and 2021, winning a Cy Young Award with the club last year in a career-defining turnaround season. Blue Jays hitters know him well, and how that plays out in this game will likely determine if the Blue Jays are playing on Sunday or packing up their lockers.

“Robbie is, obviously, a good pitcher,” Jansen said. “He knows what he wants to do up there. Us playing with him last year, we know kind of that he's going to come after us, and he's going to use certain pitches in certain counts. Just looking to try to jump on him and pass the baton to the next guy.”

(Photo: Nick Turchiaro / USA Today)

The Guardians defeated the Rays 1-0 in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series in a 15 inning pitching duel to advance to the American League Division Series vs. the Yankees. Oscar Gonzalez scored a walk-off home run against former-Guardian Corey Kluber to secure the victory.

Guardians players of the game: Tyler Glasnow (5 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB); Oscar Gonzales (5-for-2, 1 HR, 2 H, 1 RBI)

Rays players of the game: Triston McKenzie (6 IP, 0 ER, 8 K, 2 BB)

Where the series stands: Guardians win the series

Blue Jays' Teoscar Hernández hits a long home run to left field to secure Toronto's first two runs of the postseason. The Blue Jays lead the Mariners 2-0 in the third inning.

BOOM. Teoscar Hernández gets the Blue Jays on the board & the Toronto crowd is rocking ⚡️ (via @BlueJays)pic.twitter.com/kBBA8fPQan

The Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays headed to the 14th inning in a 0-0 tie. It is the first game in postseason history to be scoreless through 13 innings.

Game 2 of the Guardians and Rays became the second postseason game in MLB history to be scoreless through 12 innings, with the first being Game 1 of the 2020 National League Wild Card Series featuring the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

Oscar Gonzalez walks off as Guardians defeat Rays to advance to ALDS

Tonight will mark Blake Snell’s first career postseason appearance since he was famously pulled with a 1-0 lead in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series. Snell, then with the Rays, watched from the dugout as the Dodgers went on to clinch the title with a 3-1 victory.

The decision to lift Snell remains, for some, the defining moment of his career.

“Honestly, I don’t think about it much anymore,” Snell said Friday. “It was two years ago. It was probably one of the better games I’ve thrown in my life, so I was really happy that’s what that was.

“Excited that I get to pitch (Saturday) and kind of just put that behind me,” Snell added. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot since then and I’ve grown a lot and I’ve become a better pitcher.”

Snell has never completed six innings in any of his seven career playoff starts. He recorded six frames in just three of his 10 first-half starts this regular season. After the All-Star break, he logged at least six innings in eight of 14 outings.

His average fastball velocity this year was 95.8 mph, matching his career high from 2018, when he won the American League Cy Young Award. When pitching in the sixth or seventh inning, his fastball averaged 95.7 mph.

Snell credited Kenny Esquivel, the Padres’ strength and conditioning coach, with his improved stamina this season.

"Just what I’m doing in between starts, it’s a lot better than what I used to do,” Snell said. “I’m just growing. I really believe I'm getting better and I’m getting into my prime. I really believe that.”

With their season on the line, the Cardinals will sit switch-hitting outfielder Dylan Carlson against righty Aaron Nola and the Phillies and start Corey Dickerson and Juan Yepez in left and right field, respectively. The decision isn't too surprising -- manager Oli Marmol has opted for offensive production in lieu of defensive security before -- but the pressure will now be on centerfielder Lars Nootbar to cover as much ground as possible.

Carlson's splits against righties (.207/.294/.339) are dramatically lower than the numbers he produces against left-handers (.305/.369/.477) though Marmol was encouraged over by Carlson's at-bats against right-handers over the last couple weeks of the regular season, and started him against Zack Wheeler on Friday. However, with the Cardinals needing to jump on Nola early, it's Yepez -- who hammered a two-run, go-ahead home run as a pinch-hitter Friday -- who gets the call. The 24-year-old rookie bats right-handed but is not a splitty hitter; he averages a .253/.296/.460 line against righties and a .255/.295/.400 line against lefties.