The 2022 MLB playoffs There are only four teams left, all vying to be in the World Series.
The American League Championship Series moves from the Bronx to the Bronx for the third game Houston Astros For the New York Yankees. Houston won the first two home games and now holds a 2-0 advantage.
In the National League Championship Series it will be Game 4 between both the San Diego Padres And Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies won Game 3 of the 2-1 series after splitting the first two games in San Diego.
More: Who has the NLCS edge? Predictions for Padres-Phillies | Who will rule the ALCS? Predictions for Yankees-Astros | Bracket, results and more
Houston Astros at New York Yankees (5:07 p.m. ET, TBS)
Astros lead series 2-0
Astros starter: Cristian Javier
Yankees starter: Gerrit Cole
Starting lineups:
ASTROS
TBD
YANKEES
TBD
Here are some things to look out for Gerrit Cole, Yankees’ ace will need to recreate his June 25 performance against Astros. He lasted seven innings, allowed one run on four hits, while walking two and striking eight batters. (On the flipside: Tonight’s Astros pitcher, Cristian Javier, lost the Yankees game. combined with two relievers to no-hit New York.) After getting roughed up in last year’s wild-card loss to Boston, Cole has had a strong October so far, posting a 2.03 ERA in two starts against Cleveland in the ALDS, allowing three runs in 13⅓ innings. New York will need more of this to prevent falling into the 3-0 hole.
In the meantime, Houston’s Javier makes a postseason debut. Javier’s previous postseason experience has come in relief, where he’s accumulated a 3.38 ERA in 12 appearances, allowing eight runs in 21⅓ innings. Javier pitched 1⅓ innings in Game 1 of the ALDS against Seattle, but has not started a game since Oct. 1. Javier replaces Lance McCullers JrAfter an error in a champagne bottle,. was moved back to Game 4 struck his elbow during the Astros’ ALDS victory celebration.
There’s no other way for the Yankees to win Saturday. This is Cole’s greatest start in his Yankees career. New York signed Cole to a 9-year, $324m contract before the 2020 season. Given the strength and depth in the Astros’ lineup, they should win Saturday. — Joon Lee
Our picks
Yankees 5, Astros 3: Cole, as he has been this postseason so far, is a big start for his Yankees career and New York’s offense proves to be able to take on Javier. — Lee
Astros 4, Yankees 3: Yankees have had trouble scoring runs, and it won’t be easy against Javier and a rested Houston pitcher. We’re heading for a quick series. — Bradford Doolittle
Yankees 2, Astros 1: Cole nearly won New York the division series against Cleveland. His third act is to save the Yankees’ season. Houston was a complete wreck of the Yankees in the series’ two opening games. With New York’s bats acting like they’ve hibernated for winter, perfection on the mound might not be enough. Cole is the Yankees’ choice to take on Javier. Cole, over his previous four regular-season starts, threw 23 innings and allowed six runs. That’s the Astros No. 3 or 4 starter. This is the challenge the Yankees and possibly the NL pennant winners must face. New York must win Game 3. — Jeff Passan
San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies (7.45 p.m. ET, FOX)
Phillies lead series 2-1
Padres starter: Mike Clevinger
Phillies starter Bailey Falter
Starting lineups:
PADRES
TBD
PHILLIES
TBD
Here are some things to look out for After a loss, it might seem like the Phillies have some money in their pockets. Joe Musgrove With a back-end rotation guy Ranger Suarez Game 3. After Falter (25 years old) was the surprise starter, they may face a difficult battle on Saturday. Falter won’t be there for long. Manager Rob Thomson will also need to take his pen back after using them for four innings last Friday. Piggybacking Falter Noah SyndergaardThe Phillies may have their best chance of getting him to pitch, so it is possible that they might get some good innings.
The Padres have a better staff, but they need more offensive output than they had in Game 2. This will ensure that the series is returned to San Diego. Clevinger, the Padres’ starter, has some playoff experience but is not necessarily a great pitcher. He gave up four runs in just 2⅔ innings against the Dodgers in the last round and has as career 5.74 ERA in nine postseason appearances. Expect a high-scoring match due to all the factors mentioned. — Jesse Rogers
Our picks
Padres 7, Phillies 6. The game will be wild as both teams will make use of their bullpens in Game 4. However, the Padres will win because they won’t be getting the shut-down innings that the Phillies got in Friday’s win. Rogers
Padres 7, Phillies 6. How quickly San Diego manager Bob Melvin has to pull his starting pitchers may be a sign of how likely this game is to go sideways. Thomson and Thomson are Thomson. The Phillies need to be cautious about overextending their bullpen. The Padres are with Zack Wheeler And Aaron Nola With Game 4 fast approaching, you must win it. These teams are too closely matched to not return to San Diego. — Passan
Phillies 6, Padres 5. Clevinger has been trying to pitch through a sore knee — without a lot of success, posting a 7.10 ERA over his past seven starts (including five runs in 2⅔ innings against the Dodgers in the division series). They hold on for one win in the World Series. — David Schoenfield