The MLB playoffs continue Wednesday afternoon. Outside of a close game in Atlanta, the three other Game 1s were blowouts on Tuesday. Hopefully, the second day of games will bring some more competitive action.
With each wild card series being best-of-three, several teams could punch their ticket to the divisional round. The teams waiting to see their opponent are below:
- Milwaukee Brewers (NL No. 1)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (NL No. 2)
- Tampa Bay Rays (AL No. 1)
- Cleveland Guardians (AL No. 2)
Below are Wednesday’s games and pitching matchups. All games are on NBC, Peacock, or NBCSN.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves, 2:00 pm ET (Atlanta leads 1-0)
A pitcher’s duel in the form of Chris Sale and Jesus Luzardo took place in Game 1. Things opened up in opened up in the seventh inning when J.T. Realmuto tripled home a couple runs giving Philadelphia a 3-2 lead. Atlanta answered back in the eighth as Austin Riley hit a three-run homer off Jhoan Duran. That was the decisive blow as Atlanta held on for the 5-3 victory.
The Game 2 pitching matchup is certainly in Philadelphia’s favor. Cristopher Sánchez (18-7, 2.91 ERA) is set to duel against Tyler Mahle (7-10, 3.99 ERA). Philadelphia will hope to force a Game 3 behind their ace.
Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros, 5:00 pm ET (Chicago leads 1-0)
For the first time since 2021, the Chicago White Sox won a playoff game. Chicago jumped out to a 5-0 lead and did not look back. The Astros were able to muster three late runs, but in the first-ever dueling bullpen game in playoff history the White Sox won 6-3.
Game 2 will feature a more traditional pitching matchup between Sean Burke (11-7, 3.34 ERA) and Hunter Brown (6-4, 3.19 ERA). The White Sox are hoping to advance to the American League Division Series for the second time in the last 18 years.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 8:00 pm ET (New York leads 1-0)
Cam Schlittler showed once again in Game 1 he is one of the game’s newest stars. The soon-to-be American League Cy Young-winner threw 117 pitches over 6 1/3 innings of superb work in a 9-0 trouncing of the Red Sox in Game 1.
Unlike Game 1, the Red Sox should have the starting pitching advantage, albeit a slim one, in Game 2. Sonny Gray (18-5, 2.72 ERA) is set to take on Max Fried (5-5, 2.80 ERA). Boston will look to force a decisive Game 3 against their biggest rivals.
Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres, 10:00 pm ET (San Diego leads 1-0)
Pete Crow-Armstrong will undoubtedly take home the National League MVP, however, Game 1 was a forgettable one for the young star. Crow-Armstrong struck out three times en route to a 0-for-3 performance. San Diego went on to dismantle the Cubs, 8-0, on the back of homers by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts.
The Game 2 pitching matchup should once again favor the Padres. Nick Pivetta (3-2, 2.86 ERA), who has battled injury this year, is set to oppose veteran Kevin Gausman (9-12, 4.51 ERA). The Padres are hoping for a date against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series.
