The first ever MLB wild-card series weekend has begun. Today, up to four teams could be sent packing.
The playoff field will grow to 12 teams. for the 2022 postseasonThe four best-of-3 series will decide which teams will reach the ALDS (against any of the above) Houston Astros Oder the New York Yankees) and NLDS (against either the Atlanta Braves Oder Los Angeles Dodgers).
Saturday’s celebrations begin with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays Looking to avoid being eliminated by the Cleveland GuardiansThen, follow by Seattle Mariners We are hoping to knock the Blue Jays out of Toronto. It’s then the New York Mets We are trying to avoid a home sweep of the San Diego Padres Finally, the Philadelphia Phillies The Cardinals of St. Louis are in contention for a series win.
Follow the action all day with start times, pitching matchesups, and starting lineups as announced. Each game will also include in-game updates, takeaways, and recaps after each game.
More: Everything you need to know about the 2022 MLB playoffs | Greatest postseason … ever? | Ace rankings (ESPN+)| Bracket, results and more
Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians (12.07 ET on ESPN2)
Guardians lead series 1-0
Rays starter: Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 10 K, 1.35 ERA)
Guardians starter: Triston McKenzie (11-11, 190 K, 2.96 ERA)
Starting lineups:
RAYS
TBD
Guardians
TBD
Here are some things to look out for It will be up to Glasnow to save Saturday’s season for the Rays after a disappointing Game 1. This is a huge challenge, considering that he has just made his first two starts down this stretch (allowing one run over 6 2/3 innings) since undergoing Tommy John surgery back in August 2021. The Rays’ staff and Glasnow both believe that the 28 year-old is pitching as good as ever but will limit him to just 4-5 innings in Game 2.
This would normally be a strange strategy in an elimination match, but it’s just business as usual for a Tampa Bay team that is used to handing things over to the bullpen. The Rays topped the majors in relief innings pitched, and no other postseason team was higher than 11. This is a feature of the Rays, not a bug.
McKenzie, a 24-year-old pitcher, will pitch Cleveland’s first playoff series win since 2016, when he is expected to take the mound. McKenzie’s ERA fell by only about two runs this season compared to his 2021 mark. Now McKenzie has a chance for a follow-up with Guardians ace Shane BieberHe had a strong Game 1 game with one of his players. — Jesse Rogers
Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays (at 4:07 ET on ESPN).
Mariners lead series by 1-0
Mariners starter: Robbie Ray (12-12, 212 K, 3.71 ERA)
Blue Jays starter: Kevin Gausman (12-10, 205 K, 3.35 ERA)
Starting lineups:
MARINERS
TBD
BLUE JAYS
TBD
Here are some things to look out for Robbie Ray is one of the Blue Jays’ most well-known pitchers. After spending last season in Toronto, winning the American League Cy Young Award and absconding for Seattle as an unpaid agent, Ray can now end his former team’s season Saturday as the Mariners only need one more win. 4-0 victory In Game 1, the Blue Jays defeated Seattle’s offense. The offense of Seattle slowed down a packed Rogers Centre crowd by scoring three runs in Game 1. It will now try to get Ray’s replacement in their rotation and Game 2 opponent Gausman. The stakes are high for the Mariners: A win in Game 2 or Game 3 will see them advance to the AL West rival Houston and host a postseason match for the first time since 2001. Toronto needs to get to Ray. The Jays could have a short October if they don’t get to Ray. — Jeff Passan
San Diego Padres vs New York Mets (7.37 ET on ESPN).
Padres lead series 1-0
Padres starter: Blake Snell (8-10, 171 K, 3.38 ERA)
Mets starter Jacob deGrom (5-4, 102 K, 3.08 ERA)
Starting lineups:
PADRES
TBD
METS
TBD
Here are some things to look out for It doesn’t really matter that the Mets won 101 regular seasons games. It is up to deGrom’s ability to save New York’s season on Saturday. DeGrom will be crucial for the Mets, as their offense has been in serious trouble in recent weeks, including during the disastrous finale against the Braves. Even with Starling Marte Back in the lineup, the Mets looked slow on Friday. They had eight runners on base and didn’t capitalize on any momentum. Yu Darvish.
DeGrom is countered by the Padres with Snell, who was one of the most outstanding pitchers in the second half. Snell has had the second-highest rate of strikeouts in baseball (12.12 K/9) since the All Star break. This is behind only Carlos Rodon– The fifth-best ERA (2.19), the third-best FIP (22.33) and the second highest fWAR (2.23) Although Snell is not the same player he was in San Diego, he has been able to regain his form in recent months. They have a lot of work ahead of them. — Joon Lee
Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals (8:00 ET on ESPN2)
Phillies lead series 1-0
Phillies starter Aaron Nola (11-13, 235 K, 3.25 ERA)
Cardinals starter: Miles Mikolas (12-13, 153 K, 3.29 ERA)
Starting lineups:
PHILLIES
TBD
CARDINALS
TBD
Here are some things to look out for Cardinals need a win in order to save their season. They might also need a closer. Ryan HelsleyThe dominant player all year was noticeably unpredictable in the ninth inning Game 1. This set the stage for an improbable Phillies comeback. Oliver Marmol, Cardinals manager said that he felt “a bit less feel for his pitches” after he jammed the right middle finger three days prior. It seems unlikely that he will be available for Game 2, which could lead to him being traded to the Cardinals. Jack FlahertyFlaherty was being called their ace and was asked to pitch in a save situation. Flaherty warm up with the team in the ninth. Andre PallanteMarmol kept Pallante tossing a bit longer than anticipated in order save Flaherty’s potential use in Game 2.
Even though it might not matter, the Cardinals won’t be able to get to Nola. That is an example of why a team as dangerous as the Phillies in best-of-3 series. Despite having a lot of issues on their roster, the Phillies have top-end talent. Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto And Kyle SchwarberThe pitching staff of the team is led by two bona fide aces. Zack Wheeler Nola. Wheeler kept the Cardinals scoreless for 6 1/3 innings of Game 1. Nola, who pitched six shutout innings against Astros earlier in the week, is fully capable of doing the exact same. Mikolas can still hang with him, as he has a 2.13 ERA from two starts against Phillies. — Alden Gonzalez