The Marlins and Braves kick off the National League Division Series (NLDS) in Houston, Atlanta representing the home team. Sandy Alcantara faces Max Fried at 2 PM EDT. Alcantara proved too tough for the Cubs in his first post-season start, allowing just three hits. His one run allowed came on a home run. Fried has yet to lose in 2020. While his seven shutout innings in the wild card round game did not gain him a victory, he remains 7-0 on the season with just two home runs allowed in 63 innings.
The Astros try to make it two in a row against the Athletics at 4:30 PM EDT as Framber Valdez takes on Sean Manaea. Valdez posted excellent walk and strikeout numbers in 2020, but in his key five shuout relief innings in the Wild Card round he walked two without striking out a batter. He allowed just two hits in those five innings, however. Manaea walked just eight batters in the regular season in 54 innings. He did not give up a walk in the Wild Card round, but did allow three home runs in two innings. He held the Astros to two hits and one run the only time he faced them this season.
At 8 PM EDT, the Yankees “visit” the Rays with Deivi Garcia battling Tyler Glasnow. Garcia allowed six walks and six home runs in 34 1/3 innings. Despite the low walk total, he allowed 12 runs on his six homers, as five of those long balls came with men on. Glasnow gave up eleven home runs in 57 1/3 innings, so this might be the slugfest of the day.
The final game of the day kicks off at 9:30 PM EDT. The first game of the Arlington NLDS takes place at Globe Life Park as the Padres and Dodgers square off. The Padres have not named a starter, but Walker Buehler gets the day on for the Dodgers. Buehler earned just one decision, a win, in his eight starts as he averaged just over four innings per start. It was all threes in his start against the Padres as he allowed three hits, three runs, three home runs, three walks, and three strikeouts in five innings.
The Padres will likely start Mike Clevinger or Chris Paddack, depending on the health of Clevinger. Paddack is 1-2 with a 6.94 ERA versus the Dodgers in his career.
Enjoy!