MLB Wild Card Drama Continues with Tigers and Cubs Eyeing Series Sweeps
The intensity of the MLB Wild Card series escalates as teams look to capitalize on their early leads. Following an action-packed opening day, the stage is set for four more thrilling matchups. With the teams that emerged victorious yesterday looking to close out their series, the stakes couldn’t be higher for those who lost. Today’s lineup mirrors yesterday’s schedule:
Tigers vs. Guardians, 1:08 p.m. ET (Tigers lead 1-0)
Padres vs. Cubs, 3:08 p.m. ET (Cubs lead 1-0)
Red Sox vs. Yankees, 6:08 p.m. ET (Red Sox lead 1-0)
Reds vs. Dodgers, 9:08 p.m. ET (Dodgers lead 1-0)
As fans eagerly anticipate the action, we delve into our favorite plays for each game.
Tigers vs. Guardians: Tanner Bibee’s Strikeout Potential
Tanner Bibee is poised to take the mound for the Tigers, who struggled with strikeouts in their previous game against Gavin Williams, fanning eight times. This season, the Tigers have had a tendency to strike out, particularly against right-handed pitchers. They recorded a strikeout rate of 24.5%, which surged to 26.2% post-All-Star break, and has climbed to a staggering 27.7% since September 1.
In fact, eight of the projected nine hitters in their lineup carry a strikeout rate of 23.8% or higher, with five players exceeding 30%. Bibee’s recent form has been encouraging, with a strikeout rate of 25.5% over the last month. Given that he has struck out six or more batters in two of his three starts against the Tigers this season, expectations are high for him to deliver again today.
Cubs vs. Padres: Dylan Cease’s Strikeout Opportunities
In the second game of the day, all eyes will be on Dylan Cease. Despite a mixed regular season, Cease has shown promise in his last five outings, posting a 3.12 ERA and a 2.56 FIP. His strikeout capabilities remain impressive; he achieved a strikeout rate of 29.8% this season, one of the highest in the league.
Cease has surpassed seven strikeouts in 53% of his starts, which adds intrigue to this matchup against the Cubs. If he can navigate through five innings—something he accomplished in 22 of his 32 starts—he stands a good chance of reaching that seven-strikeout mark today.
Red Sox vs. Yankees: Total Runs Expectations
The Yankees find themselves in a unique situation after managing just one run in yesterday’s game against the Red Sox. However, facing a different pitching scenario today could yield a different outcome. They are expected to face a lineup of right-handed pitchers, which historically favors their offense, especially at Yankee Stadium where the short right-field porch plays to their advantage.
The Yankees boast one of the best offensive metrics against right-handed pitchers in the league, leading in categories such as wOBA and slugging percentage. While Brayan Bello, the Red Sox’s starting pitcher, has had a solid season, advanced metrics suggest he has benefited from a degree of luck. The Yankees are poised to capitalize on this opportunity and exceed a team total of 3.5 runs.
Dodgers vs. Reds: A Pitching Mismatch
The final game of the day features a glaring mismatch in pitching that could heavily favor the Dodgers. Starting for Los Angeles is Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has been nearly untouchable in recent outings. Over his last five starts, he has allowed merely three earned runs, showcasing a 0.79 ERA while striking out at least seven batters in every game.
Conversely, the Reds will send Zack Littell to the mound, who has struggled with home runs, allowing the second-most in the league this season. Given the Dodgers’ powerful lineup, which led the league in home runs, Littell’s challenges could lead to another high-scoring affair. After a 10-5 victory yesterday, the Dodgers will look to replicate that success as they aim for a commanding series lead.
As the Wild Card drama unfolds, the excitement of postseason baseball is palpable, with each team fighting for survival and the chance to advance.
