The Astros and Twins kick off the 2020 post season at 2 PM EDT on over the air TV! I don’t remember the last time a wild-card round or LDS game was available via antenna. Zack Greinke faces Kenta Maeda. Greinke pitched better than his ERA in terms of the three-true outcomes. A high BABIP hurt his ERA, as hitters barrelled up the ball for a 25% line drive rate. Maeda turned out to be a huge acquisition for the Twins as he walked 10 and struck out 80 in 66 2/3 innings, helping him to a 2.70 ERA. He owns a 1.91 ERA in 33 innings at home this season.

At 3 PM EDT, the White Sox battle the Athletics on ESPN. Lucas Giolito takes the mound for Chicago against Jesus Luzardo. Giolito pitched an up and down season. His first start hurt his ERA for the year as he allowed seven runs. In late August he posted two brilliant games in a row, walking one and striking out thirteen in both. The second, a no-hitter, ranks as the highest game score of the season at 99. Since then, however, he posted a 4.08 ERA. Luzardo, like Greinke, looks like he should own a lower ERA based on his three-true outcomes. He got hammered in a few innings on the road, but at home he owns a 2.40 ERA. He pitched 41 1/3 of his 59 innings in Oakland this year.

At 5 PM EDT, TBS broadcasts the Blue Jays at the Rays. Matt Shoemaker takes on Blake Snell. Shoemaker spent most of September on the illjured list with shoulder inflammation, but pitched well in his one start to finish the season. It appears the Blue Jays are trying to maximize the chance of Hyun Jim Ryu winning game two by giving him enough rest. This could easily be a bullpen game for Toronto. Snell is susceptible to the home run, although only two of the eight long balls against him came at home.

Finally, the marquee pitching match-up of the day starts at 7 PM EDT in Cleveland, as Gerrit Cole leads the Yankees against Shane Bieber and the Indians. ESPN carries this game. Cole allowed 14 home runs in 73 innings, but the opposition only managed a .250 OBP against him. The home runs were pretty much the only way to score against him. Bieber allowed just seven home runs, and they could do even less damage as his OBP came in at .229. I suspect this game has a chance to be the shortest Yankees playoff game in terms of time in many decades.

Enjoy!