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Hi everyone! Four more Postseason games on the slate for this Thursday, and all four games are potential clinch games. Here’s a rundown of yesterday’s action:
Rays 8, Yankees 4; Series 2-1 TB — A pair of three-run frames lifted the Rays to a win in Game 3, giving them a 2-1 lead in this best-of-five series. Kevin Kiermaier smacked a three-run homer in the fourth. Randy Arozarena had a big night for Tampa Bay, going 3-for-4 with his third home run of the Postseason. In fact, Arozarena’s homer ended the night for Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka and proved to be the Rays’ game-winning run. New York slugger Giancarlo Stanton homered again on Wednesday, and now has six home runs in five Postseason games this year.
Athletics 9, Astros 7; Series 2-1 HOU — The Athletics smashed five homers on Wednesday to down the Astros and keep their season alive another day. Tommy La Stella, Mark Canha, Matt Olson, Marcus Semien, and Chad Pinder all homered in Game 3. Stephen Piscotty and Khris Davis were one of only two players in Oakland’s starting lineup without a hit or run batted in.
Braves 2, Marlins 0; Series 2-0 ATL — The 22-year-old Ian Anderson made his MLB debut in late August of this year. On Wednesday, Anderson twirled 5 2⁄3 scoreless frames against the Marlins, holding them to three hits and one walk with eight punchouts. A pair of the Braves’ lesser-praised stars took care of the offense in Game 2, as Dansby Swanson and Travis d’Arnaud each homered for the second time this fall. Aside from the two homers, Austin Riley and Nick Markakis were the only Braves with hits.
Dodgers 6, Padres 5; Series 2-0 LAD — The Dodgers had a 6-3 lead heading into the ninth inning and turned the game over to closer Kenley Jansen. Mitch Moreland doubled in a run, and Trent Grisham lined a two-out a single to drive in another, and the Padres were within one run. With two outs and a pitch count of 30, the Dodgers pulled Jansen and turned things over to Joe Kelly. Kelly walked Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, but he got Eric Hosmer to ground out with the bases loaded to end the game.
Two questions to think about today:
- Will any of these series go to five games, or will they wrap up today and/or tomorrow?
- Which of these teams is the last one you want to see win the World Series?