Thursday features four teams facing elimination. The Braves at the Marlins begin the day with Kyle Wright facing Sixto Sanchez. Wright walks the park in the regular season, averaging 5.68 walks per nine inning in his 38 innings, the third highest rate for at least that number of innings. Sanchez was much better at 2.54 BB per nine. Based on this matchup, the Marlins may very well be playing Friday.

Oakland visits the Astros with Frankie Montas charged with keeping Oakland alive another day. Montas went 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA against the Astros in the regular season. In 15 1/3 innings he struck out 14 and walked three, but allowed two home runs. He faced the Astros a lot in his career, and a number of their batters hit him well. The Astros have not named a starter. Note that the core four of the Astros offense right now can support anyone who pitches.

Ryan Thompson serves as the opener for the Rays as they try to push the Yankees over the brink. Jordan Montgomery takes the hill for New York. Thompson made one start this season and pitched well, allowing one hit and no runs in two innings. That start came against the Yankees. Montgomery lasted just 2/3 of an innings against Tampa Bay this year, giving up five hits, including two home runs, and four runs.

The Dodgers have not named a visiting starter to try to end the series against the Padres and Adrian Morejon. Corey Seager stands as the offensive star of this series so far for LA, three for seven with two doubles and three RBI. Morejon is another pitcher with impressive control and a high ERA. He walked four and struck out 25 in 19 1/3 innings, yet allowed 20 hits, seven of those for home runs. He’s a three-true outcomes pitcher, but one of the outcomes in horrendous.

Enjoy!