Major League Baseball’s best-of-three wildcard series kicks off Friday, a quadruple header to start the first year with an expanded postseason field of 12 teams.
In the American League, the Cleveland Guardians face the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays receive the Seattle Mariners. In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies will visit the St. Louis Cardinals – in Albert Pujols’ last postseason – and the 101-winning New York Mets will host the San Diego Padres.
In the Cleveland-Tampa Bay opener, Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber gave up one earned run in 7 ⅔ innings and the two-run homerun to Jose Ramirez was all they needed in a 2-1 win over the Rays.
Stay tuned here all Friday for updates, scores and highlights from around the league:
PREDICTIONS: Who will win the four wildcard series?
Follow every game: Live MLB Scores
X FACTORS: These players will help determine the fate of their teams
Match 1 schedule, Friday
Pujols back in the postseason at Busch Stadium
Albert Pujols gets a rousing cheer from Cardinals fans during pregame introductions. It will be his first post-season game at Busch Stadium since Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.
And again for his first at bat.
Shane Bieber throws gem in Guardians win
Behind an ace-like performance from Shane Bieber and a clutch home run from Jose Ramirez, the Guardians defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in Game 1 of the American League wildcard series on Friday at Progressive Field.
Bieber was masterful off a fastball for Jose Siri, throwing 7⅔ innings on 99 pitches to take the win. Bieber, who rocked in his only other playoff appearance two years ago, gave up only three hits and struckout eight before being eliminated with a runner in eighth.
BOX SCORE: Guardians 2, Rays 1
Jose Ramirez puts Guardians ahead
After Jose Siri of Tampa Bay hit a solo homerun in the top of the sixth off Cleveland-starter Shane Bieber to open the score, Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez made a two-run shot in the bottom of the inning to put his team ahead . The score held and the Guardians won 2-1.
Are you ready for kids?
For those unfamiliar with the Guardians’ cleaning lady, Oscar Gonzalez’s walk-up music is Spongebob Squarepants’ theme song.
Gonzalez, who made his MLB debut on May 26, was asked about his song choice in May.
“Because kids love that song and this is child’s play after all. I’ve had it since Triple-A.”
Will Albert Pujols come out on top?
Albert Pujols, 42, is in the final postseason of his 22-year career, starting Friday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-three wildcard series at the sold-out Busch Stadium.
When the teams line up for introductions, Pujols gets the longest ovation. When he first hits the record during the game, he gets another one as fans grab their cell phones and take pictures for posterity. They’ll do the same thing every time he hits
“Man, I missed that feeling of playing at this time of year,” said Pujols. “These guys have given me the joy and excitement of being back in the post season. This is what we play for.
“That’s why I came back.”
– Bob Nightengale
Mets Post-Season Squad: Starling Marte Returns, Francisco Alvarez in Squad
All-Star rightfielder Starling Marte was selected on Friday’s roster by the New York Mets for their wildcard series against the San Diego Padres and could make his first appearance since September 6.
Marte has been sidelined since he broke the middle finger of his right (throwing) hand when he was hit by a 96 mph fastball from Mitch Keller of Pittsburgh.
New York also included 20-year old Francisco Álvarez, who made his debut on September 30, hitting 2 for 12 with a homerun, double and two walks in five games.
– Associated Press
All-Star batsman Alejandro Kirk is an X factor for Toronto
“He’s the best. He’s the man,” Blue Jays outfielder George Springer said of Alejandro Kirk, the club’s catcher and designated batter. “His smile is something everyone loves and he likes to have fun.”
October often shines brightest on those who make contact, swinging not in front of the fences, but with a purpose. Kirk, who has struckout just 57 in 468 at bats, may just be the perfect playoff brew for a Jays team with plenty of muscle and star power.
“What he’s done at the plate — as I watch pitchers try to find his weakness as the season progresses — there really isn’t one,” said Toronto starter Kevin Gausman. “He can hit the high ball very well for a short man, he can hit the low ball well, he is an exceptional off-speed hitter.”
– Gabe Lacques
Twitter broadcasts live look-ins during MLB playoffs
Twitter offers live broadcasts for the first time during the postseason of Major League Baseball.
ESPN, Fox and other playoff game broadcasters will be able to show the look-ins on their social media accounts, and live action will also be featured on MLB’s official account. There is no limit to how long each look-in can last.
Twitter will be the only social media platform to officially stream live look-ins during the postseason, which kicks off Friday with four wildcard rounds.
– Associated Press
Mets have reason to be confident
After losing the NL East title, the Mets’ path to the World Series may have gotten harder with a best-of-three series against the Padres starting on Friday, but they’ve proven all season that they can be able to grow through adversity.
Whether it was an injury to Jacob deGrom early in the season, an injury to Max Scherzer in the middle of the season, or getting hit by a pitch 112 times, an MLB record, the Mets have managed to bounce back more than once. bounce when a speed bump occurs.
Anything can happen in the late season. Ask the Braves squad from last season.
“Everyone starts 0-0. It’s a new time of the year,” said Francisco Lindor. “We have to focus on what we have in front of our feet. It’s a blessing to be in the playoffs. It’s a blessing to be in the playoffs. In the end I don’t care if it’s a Wild Card of World Series, it’s an honor, it’s a privilege to be here. Not everyone is allowed to be here.”
-Andrew Tredinnick, NorthJersey.com
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