AL Central Smashes Expectations, Orioles at a Crossroad, More MLB Wild Card Takeaways
The condensed nature of the best-of-three Wild Card Series made Wednesday's Game 2 action a win-or-go-home contest for the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers.
Love it or hate it, it certainly makes for a dramatic, high-stakes way to kick off the MLB postseason.
The format here is simple: Four games, eight teams, and a couple quick-hit reactions for each club, focusing on individual performances and bigger picture ramifications for the teams whose offseason begins on Wednesday.
Buckle up for another full day of postseason baseball action!
Wild Card Game 2 Schedule
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AL Wild Card: Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros
- Result: Tigers 5, Astros 2
- Status: Tigers win series 2-0
AL Wild Card: Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles
- Results: Royals 2, Orioles 1
- Status: Royals win series 2-0
NL Wild Card: New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers
- Results: Brewers 5, Mets 3
- Status: Series tied 1-1
NL Wild Card: Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres
- Results: Padres 5, Braves 4
- Status: Padres win series 2-0
Detroit Tigers Game 2 Takeaways
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The Pitching-By-Committee Approach Can Actually Work
Teams have been experimenting with openers and bulk relievers for several years now, but we have never seen anything quite like what the Detroit Tigers have been doing for the past few months.
Manager A.J. Hinch has pulled all the right strings with his unique approach to deploying the pitching staff during the Tigers surge into contention with a 3.02 ERA in August (2nd in MLB) and a 2.79 ERA in September (4th in MLB).
The Tigers pitching staff is essentially AL Cy Young front-runner Tarik Skubal and then everyone else, and Hinch made it clear that all 11 other pitchers were in play to see action in Game 2 after their ace tossed a gem in Game 1. To that point, Tyler Holton took the ball to start things for the Tigers less than 24 hours after recording the final out in the eighth inning of Game 1.
All the right moves were made again on Wednesday when he used seven different pitchers to close out a sweep of the AL West champion Houston Astros:
- Tyler Holton: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
- Brenan Hanifee: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
- Brant Hurter: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
- Beau Brieske: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB ,1 K
- Jackson Jobe: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Sean Guenther: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
- Will Vest: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
The decision to turn to rookie Jackson Jobe in a one-run game after he just made his MLB debut one week ago didn't work out as hoped, but his teammates picked him up, and the final stat line for their game-by-committee was fantastic.
It will be fun to see how that strategy plays in a best-of-five series and possibly best-of-seven series as the postseason unfolds. Stay tuned!
Andy Ibáñez Getting the Big Hit is the Embodiment of Tigers Baseball
Andy Ibáñez would have been an unlikely hero for any other team in this year's playoff field, but for the Tigers, him delivering the big hit was just business as usual.
The 31-year-old hit .241/.295/.357 for an 85 OPS+ over 244 plate appearances during the regular season, seeing action at all four infield positions and in left field while also serving as designated hitter.
Those numbers don't jump off the page, but he was quietly a .395 hitter in 47 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, and he delivered the biggest hit of his career on Wednesday.
After the Astros took the lead in the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers fought back to tie things up 2-2 before turning to Ibáñez to pinch-hit for Zach McKinstry with two outs and the bases loaded against All-Star closer Josh Hader.
With one swing of the bat, he etched his name in Tigers history, clearing the bases with a double down the left field line to give the Tigers a 5-2 lead, which stood as the final score one inning later.
Houston Astros Game 2 Takeaways
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The Dynamic Ryan Pressly, Josh Hader Duo Failed to Deliver
When the Astros signed Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million deal in January, it looked like the final piece in building a truly elite bullpen.
Incumbent closer Ryan Pressly had been one of baseball's best relievers for several years running, including a 2023 season where he recorded 31 saves with a 3.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in 65 appearances.
However, it was that was responsible for the Game 2 loss:
- Pressly: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 ER
- Hader: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 1 ER
Pressly departed with two outs and runners on first and second in the eighth inning after allowing the game-tying run to score on a passed ball. Hader then walked Spencer Torkelson before giving up a three-run, pinch-hit double to Andy Ibáñez.
Just like that, a tandem that looked like it might be the best in baseball when the season began was responsible for an early playoff exit.
Hunter Brown is the Ace of the Houston Staff
Stat line: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Justin Verlander is a future Hall of Famer and Framber Valdez is a bona fide frontline starter in his own right, but the future ace of the staff for the Houston Astros is right-hander Hunter Brown.
After a rocky start to the 2024 season saw him post a 7.71 ERA over his first nine appearances, Brown turned a corner with a quality start against the Los Angeles Angels on May 22. From that point forward, he went 10-5 with a 2.31 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 132.2 innings, recording 18 quality starts in 22 outings.
The 26-year-old is controllable through the 2028 season, and with Verlander and Valdez both potentially gone after 2025, Brown is the ace-in-waiting poised to lead the Houston staff following a terrific first career playoff start where the only mistake he made was a solo home run to Parker Meadows.
The End of the Alex Bregman Era?
A routine groundball to third base for the second out of the eighth inning.
Will that be the final time we see Alex Bregman in the batter's box wearing an Astros uniform?
The longtime Astros third baseman is set to hit free agency this winter, and if Wednesday was indeed his final game in Houston, he will depart with two World Series rings, 1,132 hits, 191 home runs and 39.6 WAR over nine seasons.
He delivered plenty of memorable playoff moments while slugging 19 home runs in 99 career postseason games, and will go down as one of the best players in franchise history.
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Kansas City Royals Game 2 Takeaways
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Royals Bullpen Looks Like a Surprise Strength
The bullpen was far from a strength for the Royals during the regular season, as they finished 20th in the majors with a 4.13 ERA and tallied 23 blown saves in 64 chances.
You never would have guessed that based on the two games they just played in the Wild Card Series:
- Game 1: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 holds, 1 save
- Game 2: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, win, 3 holds, 1 save
Sam Long, Kris Bubic and Lucas Erceg closed things out at the back end of both games, and while it's unlikely anyone would have slotted the Kansas City bullpen among the best in this year's postseason field, it certainly looked like a strength against the Orioles.
Erceg, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics at the trade deadline, was completely overpowering in both of his appearances, and is shaping up to be one of the most impactful pickups of this year's trade deadline.
Bobby Witt Jr. Quietly Shoulders the Load Offensively
A single to left field in Game 1 and a dribbler up the middle legged out for an infield single in Game 2 might not be the sexiest highlight reel, but with those two base hits, Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the game-winning run in back-to-back games for the Royals.
Despite that impact, it still feels like we're waiting on Witt's signature postseason moment.
The 24-year-old hit .332/.389/.588 with 45 doubles, 11 triples, 32 home runs, 109 RBI, 125 runs scored and 31 steals this season, becoming the first shortstop in MLB history with multiple 30/30 seasons on his resume.
He has been the driving force in an otherwise underwhelming Kansas City offense all season, and he did it again in the Wild Card Series, even if it came in relatively quiet fashion.
Now it's on to an ALDS matchup with the New York Yankees where he will go head-to-head with the man who is likely to beat him in the AL MVP race in slugger Aaron Judge.
Baltimore Orioles Game 2 Takeaways
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Orioles Need to Do More to Supplement Homegrown Core
The Orioles rebuilt from the ground up, assembling a stacked farm system that has developed into an enviable core of cost-controlled, homegrown talent.
But it might be time to ask if they rely too heavily on that group.
They acquired an ace in Corbin Burnes this offseason and swung a deal for Zach Eflin at the trade deadline, but offensive production has fallen almost exclusively on young, up-and-coming players.
They tallied 11 hits in two games, but thanks to a dismal 1-for-13 showing with runners in scoring position, they only managed to score one run on a solo home run from Cedric Mullins.
The Chicago Cubs took a similar approach to building their 2016 World Series winner, but they supplemented their homegrown offensive core with experienced veterans like Jon Lester, Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler, John Lackey and others.
It might be time for the O's to prioritize finding a better balance between youth and experience this winter, whether trading from their stockpile of controllable bats or diving deeper into the free agency pool.
First things first, they will need to figure out what to do with their own high-profile free agents.
What's Next for Corbin Burnes, Anthony Santander?
The Orioles addressed the biggest need on the roster when they acquired Burnes, but he was a one-year rental and free agency awaits this winter.
He went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts in 194.1 innings during the regular season and did everything he could in Game 1 with eight innings of five-hit, one-run ball to finish as the tough-luck loser.
The other big name poised to depart is Anthony Santander, who posted a 134 OPS+ with 44 home runs and 102 RBI as the most potent bat in the middle of the Baltimore lineup, though his lack of on-base ability and middling defense ultimately limit his overall value.
In an ideal world, the Orioles come to terms on a long-term deal with Burnes and extend a qualifying offer to Santander with a willingness to let him walk. If Burnes ends up walking, they will need to move quickly to fill that void at the top of the rotation with someone like Max Fried, Blake Snell or Jack Flaherty.
It's Time to Stop Underestimating the AL Central
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The AL Central was the consensus worst division in baseball for several years leading up to 2024, and even with three teams in this year's playoff field, it was easy to point to extra games against the hapless Chicago White Sox as a means of artificially pumping up the win totals for those teams.
It took all of two days for that narrative to be silenced.
The remaining AL field is now the New York Yankees and three AL Central teams.
The Detroit Tigers (+2500) and Kansas City Royals (+2500) entered the postseason tied for the worst odds to win the World Series, but they didn't even need three games to send the Houston Astros (+900) and Baltimore Orioles (+1100) home for the year.
The New York Yankees (+450) are still heavy favorites to win the AL pennant heading into their clash with the Royals, while the Cleveland Guardians (+1100) will need to get past a red-hot Tigers team to reach the ALCS.
One thing is clear: It's time to stop underestimating the AL Central.
Milwaukee Brewers Game 2 Takeaways
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Jackson Chourio is a Superstar
Stat line: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Forget up-and-comer, bright future or rising star—Jackson Chourio is a bona fide superstar right now.
The 20-year-old phenom became the first player in Brewers history and the second youngest player ever to hit two home runs in a single postseason game.
His first homer led off the bottom of the first inning and started the scoring for Milwaukee. His second led off the bottom of the eighth and tied things up at 3-3 when the Brewers were down to their final six outs.
Four batters later, Garrett Mitchell launched the game-winning, two-run blast to send the series to a decisive Game 3.
After hitting .310/.363/.552 with 17 doubles, 12 home runs, 44 RBI and 12 steals in 63 games after the All-Star break, Chourio went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in his postseason debut on Tuesday.
Not bad for a guy who was the youngest player to appear in a MLB game in 2024.
Burning Aaron Civale in Game 1 Might Have Been a Fatal Error
More than a few eyebrows were raised when Brewers manager Pat Murphy opted to use starter Aaron Civale to pitch the final three innings of the club's Game 1 loss, essentially burning him for the remainder of the series after he threw 35 pitches.
Civale had been arguably the best starter on the staff down the stretch, going 6-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 49 innings over his final nine starts.
He was also excellent at American Family Field, logging a 2.38 ERA in 45.1 innings in his eight starts in the ballpark that became his home after he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline.
Instead, it was Frankie Montas (3.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER) who earned the starting nod in Game 2, and it will likely be rookie Tobias Myers toeing the rubber with the season on the line on Thursday night.
Time will tell if the questionable Civale decision proves to be a fatal error.
New York Mets Game 2 Takeaways
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Mets Momentum Comes to a Screeching Halt
The Mets have spent the last several weeks frantically chasing a postseason berth, culminating in a dramatic Monday doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. With a win in the first game, they punched their ticket to the postseason.
The following day, their playoff run was underway, and they continued to ride that wave of momentum to an 8-4 win over a Milwaukee Brewers team that had the NL Central title well in hand and spent the final few weeks coasting.
It looked like momentum was still on the side of the Grimace Mets when they plated a pair of runs in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead and were still staked to a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth when Jackson Chourio led off the inning with a game-tying solo blast off reliever Phil Maton.
Later that inning, the Brewers decisively snatched that aforementioned momentum with a go-ahead, two-run home run off the bat of Garrett Mitchell that proved to be the game-winner.
Now the Mets head into a win-or-go-home Game 3 without the benefit of their good pal momentum in their corner.
From six outs away to their backs against the wall in the blink of an eye.
José Quintana's 2024 Comes Full Circle in Must-Win Game 3 Start
All the way back on March 29, veteran left-hander José Quintana took the ball on Opening Day for the Mets against none other than the Milwaukee Brewers.
The 35-year-old went 4.2 innings in that start, allowing six hits and two earned runs while taking the loss in a 3-1 victory by the Brewers, and the Mets will be hoping for a better showing this time around as they look to advance to the NLDS.
But wait, there's more.
After throwing back-to-back gems on Sept. 13 (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER) and Sept. 18 (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER), Quintana allowed five hits and two earned runs in 4.1 innings to take the loss in a crucial outing on Sept. 28.
His opponent in that shaky final regular season start?
The Milwaukee Brewers.
Round 3 will be his most important start in a Mets uniform as the season hangs in the balance.
San Diego Padres Game 2 Takeaways
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Star Power Carries the San Diego Offense in Game 2
First things first, a tip of the cap to catcher and No. 9 hitter Kyle Higashioka for homering in both games of the Wild Card Series.
After he hit a solo shot with two outs in the second inning of Game 2 to turn over the lineup, it was the biggest names on the San Diego roster that delivered the crushing blows in what turned out to be a five-run inning.
Luis Arraez, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jurickson Profar each singled to load the bases before Manny Machado drove in two with a double and Jackson Merrill cleared the bases with a two-run triple.
That gave the Padres an early 5-1 lead, and while the Braves made things interesting, it held up in a 5-4 victory that sent them to a meeting with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.
There will be no shortage of star power on both sides in that series.
Padres Have the Depth to Overcome Potential Joe Musgrove Absence
Wednesday night's celebration was somewhat bittersweet for the Padres. Starter Joe Musgrove was lifted from the game after 3.2 innings of one-hit ball with what appeared to be an arm issue.
Fortunately, the Padres have proven they can withstand being without one of their best pitchers this season, as Musgrove (19 starts) and Yu Darvish (16 starts) both missed significant time during the regular season.
In their absence, Game 1 starter Michael King and Dylan Cease both put together terrific seasons anchoring the starting rotation, and the fact that the Padres roll into the NLDS with Cease and Darvish lined up to start the first two games still puts them in a strong position.
No team wants to lose a frontline-caliber starter in the postseason, but the Padres were better equipped to deal with that loss than any other team in this year's playoff field.
Atlanta Braves Game 2 Takeaways
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Braves' Season From Hell Ends in Predictable Fashion
Truth be told, the Braves were playing with house money even being in the postseason.
They lost Opening Day starter Spencer Strider to Tommy John surgery after just two starts and reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. to a torn ACL on May 26, which in itself would have been enough to torpedo most teams' playoff hopes.
However, they were also without Austin Riley (110 games), Michael Harris II (110 games), Ozzie Albies (99 games) and Sean Murphy (72 games) for extended stretches, with Riley lost for the year on Aug. 18 with a fractured hand.
The result was a far less potent lineup for the bulk of the season and an offense left relying on guys like scrapheap pickup Ramón Laureano and deadline acquisition Jorge Soler to shoulder the load. The bottom of the lineup was almost non-existent against the Padres.
It was shocking when the 104-win Braves and their juggernaut offense were bounced by the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS a year ago.
No one was shocked with their early playoff exit in 2024.
Another Postseason Dud from Max Fried
Even after losing Game 1 and with ace Chris Sale watching from the sidelines after being left off the roster with back spasms, the Braves could still lean on the fact that Max Fried was taking the ball in Game 2, especially with the Padres' struggles against lefties.
He went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 166 strikeouts in 174.1 innings during the regular season, and since the start of the 2019 campaign, his 22.2 WAR trails only Zack Wheeler (28.7), Gerrit Cole (26.5) and Max Scherzer (22.3) among all pitchers.
However, the postseason has been a different story.
He pitched well during Atlanta's playoff runs in 2020 and 2021, but the narrative has shifted over the last three years.
- 2022 NLDS: L, 3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 4 ER
- 2023 NLDS: ND, 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER
- 2024 WCS: L, 2.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER
One rocky playoff performance can be a blip on the radar, but three in a row starts to become a trend.
Now, the Braves face a big decision on whether to make a serious push to re-sign him in free agency. With Charlie Morton also headed for the open market and Spencer Strider recovering from Tommy John surgery, the entire rotation is in flux.
Game 1 Winners in Wild Card Series Are 11-for-11 on Advancing to Division Series
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With three years worth of the Wild Card Series now nearly in the books, a clear trend has emerged that winning Game 1 is essentially a ticket to the Division Series:
- 2022 AL: CLE 2, TB 0
- 2022 AL: SEA 2, TOR 0
- 2022 NL: PHI 2, STL 0
- 2022 NL: SD 2, NYM 1
- 2023 AL: MIN 2, TOR 0
- 2023 AL: TEX 2, TB 0
- 2023 NL: ARI 2, MIL 0
- 2023 NL: PHI 2, MIA 0
- 2024 AL: DET 2, HOU 0
- 2024 AL: KC 2, BAL 0
- 2024 NL: SD 2, ATL 0
- 2024 NL: MIL 1, NYM 1
The 2022 San Diego Padres also won Game 1 of their series, so of the 11 Wild Card Series matchups in the books, 10 were a sweep and the other saw the Game 1 winner come away with the victory in Game 3.
Will the Milwaukee Brewers be the first to buck that trend tomorrow night?
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