Category Archives: League Division Series

October 12, 2025

Home Field Advantage

The Brewers 3-2 series win over the Cubs in the NLDS came down to home field advantage. Neither team could hit in the other’s ballpark. The Brewers hit .303/.378/.525 at home, .164/.246/.262 in Chicago. The Cubs hit .277/.373/.477 in Chicago, .147/.221/.316 in Milwaukee. Note that the Cubs hit better on the road during the regular season, and perfectly fine at Miller Park. The same can be said for the Brewers. Travel fatigue should not matter, as the teams had a day to drive a short distance.

October 11, 2025

Brewers Advance

Milwaukee sets down the Cubs 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth and win the game 3-1, as they advance to National League Championship Series. They will host the Dodgers in game one on Monday.

Five Milwaukee pitchers combined to allow four hits and one walk, the Cubs scoring on a solo home run. All three Brewers runs came on solo home runs also.

Two of the four LCS teams never won a World Series and one hasn’t won in over 30 years. They’ll try to dethrone the Dodgers who are trying to become the first team to win back-to-back series this century.

October 11, 2025

Known for their Solos

Brice Turang of the Brewers hits the fourth solo home run of the game as the Brewers extend their lead to 3-1in the bottom of the seventh inning. The insurance run puts Milwaukee six outs away from advancing to the NLCS.

October 11, 2025

Vaughn Gone

Andrew Vaughn hits the third solo home run of the game to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead over the Cubs. He has four hits and three walks in the series without striking out.

Update: The Brewers load the bases after the home run.

Update: Joey Ortiz hits into a force play to end the inning, and the score remains 2-1.

October 11, 2025

Brief Lead

Jacob Misiorowski pitches for the Brewers in the second inning, and Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs greets him with a home run, and the game in tied at one. Six of Suzuki’s seven hits have gone for extra base, three double and three home runs in eight games.

October 11, 2025

Oh! Contreras

William Contreras put the Brewers on the board early with a two-out home run in the bottom of the first inning off Drew Pomeranz of the Cubs. It’s the first hit and run Pomeranz allowed this post-season. The Brewers lead 1-0 at the end of the first inning.

Three of Contreras’s six post-season hits went for extra bases.

October 11, 2025

Playoffs Today

The Cubs and Brewers play their NLDS game five at 8 PM EDT Saturday night, 7 PM local time. Chicago decided to send Drew Pomeranz to the mound. He allowed nothing in his five relief appearances in this post season, no walks, no hits, not runs while striking out five. The former starter made two opens this season, so it looks like the Cubs are going with a bullpen game, although I wouldn’t be surprised if they let Pomeranz pitch until he made a mistake. Might they let him go three innings if he is effective?

The Brewers have not named a starter yet. There is speculation that Jacob Misiorowski will be the long man in the game, either as the starter on in long middle relief job, the job he did well in game 2.

Since this type of elimination game in all hands on deck, we shouldn’t be surprised that a star starter will not be taking the hill in the opening inning.

So far, the home team won each game of the series. The Brewers, trying for their first World Series title hope that holds up.

Enjoy!

Update: Trevor Megill gets the start for the Brewers. He posted a 2.49 ERA in 50 relief appearances in 2025. He struck out 60 batters in 47 innings, allowing just three home runs. So a bullpen game on both sides.

October 11, 2025

Lower Decks

The Mariner defeated the Tigers three games to two in their ALDS, as series marked by the lack of offense. Seattle batters posted a .207/.292/.342 slash line, while Detroit came in at .201/.271/.333. Note that a very poor Mariners slash line was still much better than the Tigers line. I will also note that the OBP difference was not as bad as it looked, as Seattle hit into five double plays to Detroit’s one.

both teams hit well with runners in scoring position, Seattle at .306/.357/.417, Detroit , .282/.349/.590.

The main difference that gave Seattle the edge came from the bullpens. Seattle’s pitching staff just went deeper. The Tigers hit .202/.282/.384 against the Mariners pen, while Seattle touched up the Detroit pen for a .230/.333/.330 line. All those extra base runners won out in the end.

It was one of those flip a coin series, always close, evenly split, with the final decided by one run in extra innings.

I’m also glad by that the end of the LDS round MLB will have played 29 of the possible 32 games.

October 11, 2025

Best Batter Today – Mariners Win Edition

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Kerry Carpenter of the Tigers posted a great offensive game in an otherwise pitching dominated, 15 innings 3-2 win by the Mariners, Seattle advancing to the ALCS to face the Blue Jays in a battle of the two 1977 expansion teams. Carpenter went four for five with two walks and a home run for a game score of 81. The batters in the two-three-four slots behind him each went 0 for 6, two of them drawing a walk.

Cal Raleigh of the Mariners, the only top five batter from the Baseball Musings Batter Rankings in action Friday night, posted a game score of 49, going one for five with two walks, one of them intentional. In the decisive bottom of the 15th inning, Raleigh lined out to center with runners on first and second and none out, but a throwing error advanced the runners. That led to an intentional walk to Julio Rodriguez and the walk-off, singe by Jorge Polanco to win the game. Polanco went one for six on the night.

Congratulations to the Mariners! We have at least one never one team in contention for a World Series title.

October 10, 2025

Anyone Can Be the Hero

Leo Rivas of the Mariners, a career .239/.364/.307 batter, pinch hits with men on first and second and two out, singles in the tying run on his 28th birthday. The Mariners and Tigers are tied at two. He hit .255 for his career with runners in scoring position.

October 10, 2025

End of Five

The Mariners lead the Tigers 1-0 at the end of five innings as Tarik Skubal and George Kirby engage in a great pitching duel. Skubal set a playoff record with seven consecutive strikeouts, and he has 11 in the game with two hits and one walk. One of those resulted in a double by Josh Naylor, who stole third and then scored on a sacrifice fly.

George Kirby also allowed just two hits and hit a batter. He struck out six as he works on a shutout, although he may come out of the game at any time.

Update: Javier Baez doubles off Kirby leading off the sixth inning, and Kirby comes out of the game. Kerry Carpenter is due up, and he owns Kirby, including two for two in this game.

Update: The move does not work as Carpenter puts Detroit on top of the world with a two run homer over lefty Gabe Spier.

October 10, 2025

Playoffs Today

The American League learns the identity of the Blue Jays ALCS opponent as the Tigers and Mariners play game five of their ALDS in Seattle. Tarik Skubal faces George Kirby. The multiple days off for travel allows Detroit to bring back their ace of full rest despite having pitched in game two of the series. Note that in game one, Kirby pitched well but the Tigers won 3-2, while in game two Skubal pitched well but the Mariners won 3-2. Overall this season, the Mariners scored nine runs in the 17 2/3 innings Skubal pitched against them.

On the offensive side, Gleyber Torres stands out for the Tigers with a 6 for 15 with two walks and three extra-base hits. Cal Raleigh swung the big bat for the Mariners, .438/.500/.688 with seven hits, including a double and a home run. While there were outbursts of scoring, this has been a pitching dominated series. We’ll see if there is another close game in Seattle this evening. The game kicks off at 8 PM EDT.

October 10, 2025

Close Wins

The Dodgers defeated the Phillies three games to one to advance to the NLCS. Both offenses performed poorly, with the Dodgers coming in at .199/.280/.277 and the Phillies finishing at .212/.299/.358. Philadelphia outscored Los Angeles 15-13, as the Phillies win was the only blowout of the series, and the Dodgers wins coming by one or two runs.

The most glaring situational difference came with two outs in an inning. The Phillies could not extend innings, going 3 for 39 with two outs, drawing six walks. With two outs and men in scoring position they went 0 for 12 with four walks, and I suspect those walks were somewhat defensive. The Dodgers were 9 for 46 with two outs, drawing eight walks and a hit by pitch, and 5 for 17 in with runners in scoring position at that out level with five of the walks and a hit by pitch. Mookie Betts drew the bases loaded walk in game four that tied the game, after the Phillies intentionally walked the slumping Shohei Ohtani.

This is not the best Dodgers team of their dominant ERA, but they still find ways to win, and they are still on course to be the first team to repeat as champions this century.

October 9, 2025

Ending on an Error

Offense took the night off in Los Angeles as the Dodgers beat the Phillies 2-1in eleven innings to secure another trip to the NLCS. The final play took place with two out and the bases loaded when Andy Pages bounced back to the pitcher Orion Kerkering, who had trouble picking up the ball, then tried throwing home and sent the ball high over everyone’s head.

Both teams walked four times and struck out 12 times, the Phillies collecting four hits to the Dodgers seven. They combined to go 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

The game reminds me a bit of game seven of the 1997 World Series, the Indians at the Marlins. That game was won in the bottom of the 11th, an error helping to extend the inning. The pitcher missed the last ball in play, also:

While the bases were still loaded, as White reached on the fielder’s choice, there were now two outs and Nagy faced Rentería with a chance to get out of the jam and extend the game. Rentería, behind 0-1, hit a hard line drive back up the middle. Nagy tried to field the ball, but it hit off of his glove and went into center field. Counsell scored the series winning run, then leaped into the air in celebration.
Wikipedia.com

Los Angeles will either visit the Brewers or host the Cubs as those two teams play game four.

October 9, 2025

Playoffs Today

The Phillies at the Dodgers kicks off the evening at 6 PM EDT with Cristopher Sanchez facing Tyler Glasnow both having pitched in game one. The extra off days allow teams in the NL LDS to go with a three-man rotation. Sanchez pitched well in the opener, walking two and striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings, but did not figure in the decision. Glasnow came on in relief of Shohei Ohtani and allowed two hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings, not allowing a run.

MLB lists the starting pitchers for game four of the series between the Brewers and Cubs as undecided. It may be game one starters Freddy Peralta and Matthew Boyd, or it may be those two in combination with openers and a bullpen game. The wheels will be turning as the Cubs try to send the series back to Milwaukee.

Enjoy!

October 9, 2025

Best Batter Today

Aaron Judge of the Yankees saw his season end Wednesday night, but he remains on top of the Baseball Musings Batter Rankings with a thirteen point lead. He went out by posting a two for four with a walk, hitting .500/.581/.692 in his seven game post season. Third place George Springer of the Blue Jays went one for four with a double in the 5-2 Blue Jays win, and he will have a chance to cut down the gap in the ALCS.

Cal Raleigh of the Mariners went one of three with a walk in a 9-3 Tigers win. Raleigh plays Friday in the deciding game five, and maybe goes head-to-head with Springer in the ALCS as the two try to chase down Judge.

Juan Soto of the Mets and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals round out the top five.

The best game score of the day went to Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies, a 75. He hit two home runs and drew a walk in an 8-2 win over the Dodgers, forcing a game four in Los Angeles Thursday night. Schwarber and the Phillies collected twelve hits and six walks in what was a relatively close game until Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers entered in relief. He allowed five runs, four of them earned in his second inning of pitching to put the game out of reach. The Phillies combination of Aaron Nola short and Ranger Suarez long at the start of the game worked well, as they combined to allow one run and one walk while striking out seven in seven innings. The Phillies bullpen should be fresh for Thursday’s contest.

October 8, 2025

Time for Bed

The Phillies lead the Dodgers 3-1 in the top of the sixth. No sweeps would be sweet.

October 8, 2025

Blue Jays Advance

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The Yankees score a run in the bottom of the ninth inning, but it’s not enough as Toronto wins their ALDS three games to one with a 5-2 win in game four. A big difference came from walks and strike outs. The Yankees struck out ten times and walked six times, so in 16 of their 39 PA they failed to put the ball in play. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays struck out six times and walked once, putting the ball in play 34 times, leading to 12 hits to just six for the Yankees.

Toronto heads home to rest and watch game five of the Tigers and Mariners on Friday. They will be able to throw Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage in games one and two again at home, no matter who winds up their opponent.

October 8, 2025

Lukes Warm

Nathan Lukes of the Blue Jays may have just sent Toronto to the ALCS. With Toronto leading 2-1, men on second and third, and two out in the top of the seventh, Lukes delivers a single to drive in two. He drove in five runs in the four games.

October 8, 2025

Walking Judge

With left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer on the mound for the Blue Jays, they intentionally walk Aaron Judge of the Yankees with the bases empty and one out so that Lauer can pitch to Cody Bellinger with a 2-1 lead. Bellinger flies out to leftfield, and Lauer comes out of the game. We’ll see if this works as Giancarlo Stanton comes to the plate to face Yariel Rodriguez.

Update: Stanton draws a walk. Judge was running on a 3-1 pitch, and it might have caused a bit of a distraction.

Update: Jazz Chisholm Jr. grounds out to second to end the inning. The strategy worked.

October 8, 2025

Cubs Survive

Brad Keller of the Cubs retires the Brewers in order in the ninth inning, and Chicago wins game three to force game four with the Brewers leading the series 2-1. The top three hitters in the Cubs lineup combined to go five for eleven with a walk, a home run, and three runs scored. The Chicago bullpen allowed one run in five innings, walking two and striking out six.

October 8, 2025

Close But No Cigar

The Brewers load the bases with two out in the top of the eighth inning, but Brad Keller strikes out Jake Bauers to end the inning. The Cubs need three more outs to play to stay alive in the series and play on Thursday.

October 8, 2025

Game Five in Seattle

The Tigers beat the Mariners 9-3 to send their ALDS back to Seattle for a game five on Friday. Zach McKinstry collected three hits and scored twice, Javier Baez drove in four runs, and Troy Melton pitched three shutout innings after the Tigers tied the game to make the runs stand up.

The good news for the Tigers is Tarik Skubal should be able to take the mound on Friday.

October 8, 2025

Priester Goes to Confession

Quinn Priester of the Brewers, given a 1-0 lead after half an inning, does not get out of the bottom of the first inning. He gives up a lead-off homer to Michael Busch, then a bases loaded single to Pete Crow-Armstrong, and the Cubs take a 3-1 lead. It will be a bullpen game for the Brewers.

Nick Mears comes in and throws a wild pitch to make the score 4-1.

October 8, 2025

Tigers Go on a Tear

The Tigers tie the Mariners at three in the bottom of the fifth inning with three runs. Then in the bottom of the sixth, two home runs help score four runs as Detroit takes a 7-3 lead. Riley Greene hit a 454 ft. homer to put the team up 4-3, then Javier Baez finished the scoring with a two-run shot. He’s two for three with three RBI. We may get a game on Friday!

Update: Gleyber Torres homers leading off the bottom of the seventh inning with a home run, Detroit now up 8-3.

October 8, 2025

Nailed It

Josh Naylor turned another unassisted double play at first base. I wonder if he’s going to set a record for that in the playoffs. The Mariners lead the Tigers 2-0 at the end of four innings.

October 8, 2025

Playoffs Today

Wednesday features four elimination games as two National League teams go for sweeps and two AL teams go for 3-1 victories. The day starts at 3 PM EDT with the Mariners sending Bryce Miller against the Tigers and Casey Mize. Miller pitched poorly in 2025, with a low K rate, an okay walk rate, and a high home run rate. It could have been worse, but opponents generated a .288 BABIP against him, limiting the damage somewhat. Mize allowed just one hit in his start against the Guardians, a solo home run, but was pulled after three innings.

At 5 PM EDT, the Brewers and Cubs move to Chicago, Milwaukee going for the sweep. Quinn Priester takes on Jameson Taillon. Priester brought his K rate up to 7.55 per 9 IP this season, which is still low, but it helped him lower his ERA to 3.32, over a run better than his career average. Taillon pitched well in his two post-season starts, allowing one run in 8 1/3 innings, but did have a poor relief outing to give him a 3.24 playoff ERA.

Toronto plays their second match point as the Blue Jays send Louis Varland against Cam Schlittler at 7 PM EDT in The Bronx. Varland serves as the opener in a bullpen game. He appeared in each game of the series so far, the Yankees reaching him for two home runs on Tuesday night. The Yankees are hitting .352/.403/.611 against the Blue jays pen. Schlittler made a great start in his first MLB post-season appearance, winning the Wild Card series for the Yankees. The Blue Jays did rough him up a bit this year.

Finally, the Dodgers return home to attempt a sweep of the Phillies, Philadelphia sending Aaron Nola against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Nola finished the regular season with a 6.01 ERA in 17 starts, by far the highest of his career. He did post some strong starts during the season, but seldom carried that into the next outing. After two seasons in the majors, Yamamoto owns outstanding three true outcomes, with 10.45 K per 9 and 0.72 HR per nine his strongest numbers. He owns a 2.84 ERA in five post-season starts.

Enjoy!

October 7, 2025

Yankees Live Another Day

The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 9-6 in a big comeback win. The Yankees were down 6-1 in the third inning, but once again was able to pound the Blue Jays bullpen. There will be four games tomorrow, and let’s hope for more non-sweeps.

It’s nice to see the big bats, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Aaron Judge have a great series.

October 7, 2025

Blowin’ Through the Jazzman In My Mind

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Jazz Chisholm Jr. blasts a ball deep into the rightfield bleachers to give the Yankees a 7-6 lead over the Blue Jays in the fifth inning, the Yankees first lead of the series. That’s his first home run of this post season.

October 7, 2025

Judge Takes a Pole

Aaron Judge of the Yankees comes to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning with two on, one due to a Blue Jays error. Judge pulls a high fly ball down the line, and it bounces off the foul pole, and the Yankees tie the game at six. That’s his 17th post season home run.