Good morning, Mets fans!
The 2021 postseason’s “4 Game Friday” was just as exciting as everyone hoped. Friday marked the first time, and possibly last, that there were four postseason games played in the same day in 2021.
The day started 1:10 EST for game two of the American League Division Series between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros. The Astros entered the day up 1-0 in the series, and looked to capitalize before they headed to Chicago for games three and four. The White Sox opened the scoring on an Eloy Jimenez RBI force out in the top of the first, but the Astros countered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the second.
The White Sox took the lead in the top of the fifth with RBIs from Jose Abreu and Yasmani Grandal, and they led 4-2. That lead didn’t last long, as Yuli Gurriel tied the game on a 2-run single in the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the seventh, the Astros took off. They tallied three runs against Aaron Bummer and two more against Craig Kimbrel, capped off by a two-run homer from Kyle Tucker. The Astros never looked back, and took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best of five series that now shifts to Chicago. The series takes a day off Saturday, but will return Sunday, as the Astros look to cap off a three-game sweep.
The next game of the day was the first of the National League Division Series between the Braves and Brewers. Charlie Morton took the mound for the visiting Braves, and Corbin Burnes got the call for the Brewers. This matchup provided for an epic pitchers duel, Burnes throwing six scoreless innings allowing only three hits with six strikeouts was not a shock, as he led Major League Baseball with a 2.43 ERA. However, Charlie Morton‘s six solid innings, allowing two runs (both scoring on a home run from Rowdy Tellez) on three hits with an impressive nine strikeouts, was more of a surprise.
Morton was very solid for the Braves in his first season with the team, as he had a 3.34 ERA during the regular season. However, most label Max Fried as the ace of the Braves, who will get the ball in game two. The pair of runs that Morton allowed ended up being all Atlanta allowed, but the Braves offense couldn’t meet the Brewers elite staff. Adrian Houser followed up the great outing by Burnes with two solid innings, allowing just a home run to Joc Pederson over two innings. Milwaukee then gave the ball to their elite closer, Josh Hader, who shut the Braves down to secure a game one victory, 2-1. The Brewers and Braves face off Saturday, as Max Fried and Brandon Woodruff square off in what should be another pitchers dual.
Game two of the other ALDS followed, as the Red Sox and Rays faced off. Chris Sale got the ball for Boston and Shane Baz started for Tampa Bay. The early headline for this game was the quick dismantling of both starting pitchers. Sale only lasted one inning, as he allowed five runs on four hits. Jordan Luplow delivered the back blow, as he sent a grand slam to deep left field. Baz had his own struggles, as he went 2.1 IP, allowing three runs on six hits. When both starters left the game, the Rays led 5-3.
That changed very quickly. Tanner Houck did a spectacular job in long relief for the Sox, tossing five innings only allowing one run on two hits. That allowed Boston to get right back in the game, and get back in it they did. On the backs of home runs from Xander Bogaerts, Alex Verdugo, Enrique Hernandez, J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers, the Red Sox slugged their way to a dominant 14-6 victory to even the series at one. From the fifth inning on, the Red Sox outscored the Rays 10-1. The series shifts to Boston, and will resume Sunday with a 4:07 EST start.
Capping off the night was the headliner: Dodgers against the Giants. The most anticipated matchup of the day flew by, as this NLDS matchup only need two hours and 39 minutes to complete. Buster Posey got the home crowd going, with a two-run homer off Walker Buehler in the first inning. In fact, all runs in this game came via the long ball. Kris Bryant and Brandon Crawford hit solo home runs to account for the Giants four runs, as Logan Webb shredded the Dodgers’ potent offense.
Webb pitched the game of his life, throwing 7.2 innings allowing only five hits, and striking out 10. This masterful performance placed him in Giants history. There have only been three outings in Giants postseason history where the pitcher had at least 7.2 innings without allowing a run and striking out 10+. Logan Webb is one, joined by Tim Lincecum in the 2010 NLDS, and Madison Bumgarner in the 2014 Wild Card game. The well-pitched game by the Giants led to a 4-0 victory over the Dodgers, swinging the momentum heavily in the Giants favor before game two. The thrilling series continues Saturday, as Julio Urias tries to even the series at one, and Kevin Gausman tries to put the Giants up 2-0.
Latest Mets News
Tim Britton of The Athletic gave insight into where the Mets payroll sits entering free agency, and how it may impact Steve Cohen’s plans.
St. Lucie Mets third baseman Jose Peroza was named a Low-A Southeast All-Star.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets have discussed the possibility of Dodgers executive Brandon Gomes taking part in their front office.
Latest MLB News
Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic detailed the reasons why the Red Sox failed to score a single run in the first game of their ALDS against the Rays.
Ryan Fagan of Sporting News explained how two wild-pitches, as well as a trade from the Padres, were the difference between Buster Posey playing on the Giants, and being on the Marlins.
New York Yankees left-handed pitcher and trade deadline acquisition Andrew Heaney elected free agency on Thursday, after accepting an outright assingment.
Voting for the 2021 MLB Hank Aaron Award began, as fans can let their voice be heard by submitting their choice for the award.
Latest NL East News
Mark Bowman of MLB.com spoke with Freddie Freeman about his plans for the future, and how some early morning shenanigans with his twin sons in early May woke his bat up for the season.
Jon Heyman, insider at MLB Network, reported that the Philadelphia Phillies may make a push at a major-name free agent shortstop this winter.
Latest on MMO
Matt Musico gives one encouraging statistic for any Mets hitter that tallied over 100 plate appearances in 2021.
Joe D answers a fan question in a new MMO Mailbag, as he hits on the future of Francisco Alavarez within the Mets organization.
On This Date in Mets History
1986: Down 1-0 in the pennant series, the Mets had to face Nolan Ryan in Texas. They scratched across five runs off the star pitcher, piecing together hits. Gary Carter scored the first run of the game in the fourth, and Keith Hernandez drove in the fifth run with a double in the fifth inning. On the backs of Bob Ojeda‘s complete game one-run masterpiece, the Mets headed back home with the series tied at one.
1999: Mets and Diamondbacks. National League Division Series game four and Mets held a 2-1 lead in the series. Al Leiter pitched a great game, tossing 7.2 innings allowing three runs on three hits. The Mets pushed the game to extras, and Todd Pratt got a chance to bat in the bottom of the 10th. Because of Mike Piazza‘s thumb injury, Pratt got the chance to start that game. He sent one deep to center that got just beyond the reach of Diamondbacks center fielder Steve Finley. As Pratt rounded the bases with his fists in the air, the entire Mets team celebrated the series win by gathering around home plate to greet the hero.
2015: Mets and Dodgers played game one of the Mets first NLDS since 2006. Jacob deGrom tosses a gem in his first taste of the big stage, as he pitched seven innings allowing no runs on five hits, striking out 13. David Wright drove in the two go-ahead runs in the seventh, making it a 3-1 ballgame. Wright did his new signature “fist pump” move at first base, as the Mets would go on to win their first playoff game in nine years.
2017: The Mets announced that they would be moving their Triple-A affiliate to Syracuse in 2019, ending their time in Las Vegas that they held since 2013.
Let’s go Mets!
