Big Mid-Division Series Questions That Still Need to Be Answered
We are already two games deep into each of the four Division Series matchups, and there are plenty of questions that need answering.
The Texas Rangers have stormed out to a surprising 2-0 lead on the Toronto Blue Jays with the series set to head to Arlington, while the other three series are all split 1-1 heading into a crucial Game 3.
The American League side will be back in action on Sunday, with the Kansas City Royals set to take on the Houston Astros at 4:00 p.m. ET and the Rangers/Blue Jays game following that one at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Before those games start, let's take a quick look around the postseason landscape at five of the biggest questions that need answering in the days to come.
Will Colby Rasmus Go Deep Again in Game 3?
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The Houston Astros' boom-or-bust offense continues to be perhaps the biggest strength and at the same time biggest weakness of the team.
The entire lineup is capable of going deep at any time, but they are also capable of piling up the strikeouts and if a pitcher can keep them in the ballpark they're not great at manufacturing runs.
So far, they've homered five times in three games while striking out a whopping 32 times.
Colby Rasmus has been on fire, though, going 4-for-9 with a double and three home runs, as he's gone deep in each of the team's first three postseason games.
Rasmus credits his exposure to the big moment dating back to his time in Little League as part of the reason for his success.
"I played in front of 40,000 when I was 12 years old, the Little League World Series, and that was what it was all about," he told reporters (via CBS).
"Being ready for the big moment and just getting out there and getting after it. Not being scared to make a mistake. And I think that's helped me. My dad, growing up, working with us and putting us in those situations, in stressful situations. I think I somewhat feed off of that."
He still has a ways to go to catch Carlos Beltran, who homered in five straight for the Astros back in 2004, but can he keep the streak going in Game 3?
Who Will Pitch Game 4 for the Los Angeles Dodgers?
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As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers got terrific starts from both Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke to kick off their series with the New York Mets.
However, Jacob deGrom was better in Game 1 and the Dodgers head into Game 3 with the series tied at 1-1 and left-hander Brett Anderson set to take the mound against Matt Harvey.
The Dodgers have yet to announce a Game 4 starter, when the Mets will turn to rookie left-hander Steven Matz, but it wouldn't be at all surprising to see Kershaw out there again on three days rest.
The alternative would be a start for deadline pickup Alex Wood.
The 24-year-old went 5-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 12 starts after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves, and he finished the season on a high note when he allowed five hits and two runs in seven innings of work on Oct. 2.
If the Dodgers can pick up a win in Game 3, there's a good chance they'll see what they can get out of Wood on a short leash in an effort to set their aces back up for full rest.
However, if they're facing elimination in Game 4 it will almost certainly be Kershaw and Greinke to close out the series as they look to stay alive.
Will Adrian Beltre Play Again in the Division Series?
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The first game of the Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays series wound up being a who's who of MLB stars leaving the game due to injury.
Josh Donaldson took a knee to the head sliding into second base, Jose Bautista had his hamstring tighten up and Adrian Beltre injured his back sliding awkwardly into second.
Both of the Blue Jays sluggers were back in the lineup for Game 2, but Beltre remained on the sidelines after being diagnosed with a back strain.
The potential severity of the injury became clear when the Rangers flew Joey Gallo and Ed Lucas to Toronto as potential roster replacements, though manager Jeff Banister was quick to call that a precautionary measure.
"That would be a last option," GM Jon Daniels told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "We would only consider that if things turn out to be worse than they look. We are bringing those guys here, hopefully to get on a plane and go back home."
If the Rangers were to replace Beltre on the roster with one of those guys, the star third baseman would be ineligible for the ALCS roster and could not rejoin the team until the World Series.
Beltre was excused from the team's workout on Saturday to rest the back and is still day-to-day at this point.
"He's day to day, has made some improvement, continues to get better," manager Jeff Banister told reporters (via ESPN). "We felt like the best thing for him to do is rest and get the treatments as needed.
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Who Pitches for Both Sides in Game 4 of the Cubs vs. Cardinals Series?
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We knew going into the historic Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals series who would be on the mound for both teams for the first three games.
After using ace Jake Arrieta in the Wild Card win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cubs lined up with Jon Lester in Game 1, Kyle Hendricks in Game 2 and then Arrieta for Game 3 when the series shifts back to Chicago.
The Cardinals countered with John Lackey for Game 1, left-hander Jaime Garcia in Game 2 and then it will be Michael Wacha in Game 3.
Now that we know there will be a Game 4 after the Cubs evened the series on Saturday, the question becomes who takes the mound for both teams in Game 4?
Lance Lynn appeared to be the likely choice for the Cardinals, but he threw an inning of relief on Saturday. He needed 24 pitches to get through that inning, but there's still a chance he could be the one who gets the ball.
Adam Wainwright is an intriguing option, and he looked great in 1.2 inning of scoreless relief in Game 2, striking out three.
However, the answer may wind up being Tyler Lyons, who was something of a surprise addition to the roster but an understandable one after he allowed just four hits in seven scoreless innings in a spot start on Sept. 30.
The Cubs don't hit left-handed pitching well, so starting things off with Lyons and then going to Lynn or Wainwright at the first sign of trouble may be the preferred route.
For the Cubs, Jason Hammel would seem like the clear choice, but he's posted a 5.05 ERA with just two quality starts in his last 15 games after starting off the year strong.
Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard are all capable of going multiple innings, so don't be surprised if manager Joe Maddon turns that into a bullpen game and a handful of guys throw two or three innings.
A lot will hinge on who wins Game 3, and who has their back against the wall facing elimination in Game 4.
Can David Price Shake His October Struggles?
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The Toronto Blue Jays looked to have the edge in the starting pitching department heading into Game 1 of their series with the Texas Rangers.
AL Cy Young candidate David Price took the mound for the Blue Jays, having gone 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts since coming over from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline.
Opposing him was Yovani Gallardo, who had a solid season in his own right in his first year with the Rangers, but was not the same elite-level ace that Price was.
Instead, Price struggled once again in October as he allowed five hits and five earned runs in seven innings of work to take the loss.
With that loss, Price is now 0-6 with a 5.23 ERA in six postseason starts.
He pitched well enough to win in his lone start for the Tigers last year, allowing five hits and two runs in eight innings, but he's still seeking that first playoff win as a starter.
The Blue Jays find themselves in an 0-2 hole with the series headed to Texas, and if they are going to pull off the comeback they'll need Price to be sharp whenever he winds up taking the ball again.
Can he shake his postseason struggles and turn in a strong outing?
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, unless otherwise noted.
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