It’s a full slate of postseason baseball today, starting with the White Sox and Astros in Game 2 of their ALDS matchup at 1:07 pm (ct), followed by three more games. So basically, you’ve got about 12 hours of baseball on tap for your Friday. Does it get any better than that?
Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox – ALDS Game 2
The White Sox have their work cut out for them today after being pretty thoroughly beaten by Houston in Game 1 on the strength of an absolute gem by Lance McCullers Jr. The good news is, they have Lucas Giolito taking the ball for them this afternoon, and if Giolito can keep the Houston offense in check — and the White Sox can string together something more than singles today — the White Sox can leave Houston with a split. If that happens, the White Sox can win the series in Chicago. If not, then the Southsider’s are in a world of trouble.
Broadcast Info
First Pitch: 1:07 PM (CT)
TV: MLB Network
Radio: ESPN 1000
Starting Pitching Matchup
Framber Valdez (LHP) – 2021: 11-6, 3.14 ERA – Postseason: 3-1, 1.88 ERA
vs.
Lucas Giolito (RHP) – 2021: 11-9, 3.53 ERA – Postseason: 1-0, 1.29 ERA
Starting Lineups
Houston Astros
1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Michael Brantley, DH
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Yordan Alvarez, LF
5. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
6. Carlos Correa, SS
7. Kyle Tucker, RF
8. Chas McCormick, CF
9. Martin Maldonado, C
Chicago White Sox
1. Tim Anderson, SS
2. Luis Robert, CF
3. Jose Abreu, 1B
4. Yasmani Grandal, C
5. Eloy Jimenez, LF
6. Yoan Moncada, 3B
7. Andrew Vaughn, DH
8. Leury Garcia, 2B
9. Adam Engel, RF
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves – NLDS Game 1
Corbin Burnes probably won’t win the NL Cy Young Award this year — that’ll likely be Max Scherzer — but he certainly should be in the conversation after the season that he had. So it’ll be fun to see him on the big stage as he looks to give the Brewers an early advantage over the NL East Champion Atlanta Braves this afternoon.
Broadcast Info
First Pitch: 3:37 PM (CT)
TV: TBS
Starting Pitching Matchup
Corbin Burnes (RHP) – 2021: 11-5, 2.43 ERA – Postseason: 1-0, 2.00 ERA
vs.
Charlie Morton (RHP) – 2021: 14-6, 3.34 ERA – Postseason: 7-3, 3.38 ERA
Starting Lineups
Lineups for the Brewers-Braves were not available at the time of publishing, but we will update this story with the lineups as soon as they’re released.
Milwaukee Brewers
1. Kolten Wong 2B
2. Willy Adames SS
3. Christian Yelich LF
4. Avisail Garcia RF
5. Rowdy Tellez 1B
6. Eduardo Escobar 3B
7. Omar Narvaez C
8. Lorenzo Cain CF
9. Corbin Burnes P
Atlanta Braves
1. Jorge Soler RF
2. Freddie Freeman 1B
3. Ozzie Albies 2B
4. Austin Riley 3B
5. Adam Duvall CF
6. Eddie Rosario LF
7. Travis d’Arnaud C
8. Dansby Swanson SS
9. Charlie Morton P
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox – ALDS Game 2
Randy Arozarena. That’s it. Just Randy.
I mean, yeah, there are many great players on both sides of this matchup, but you come to see Randy Arozarena and stay for the rest. Mr. October-ena is a one-man show when the lights are the brightest. Chris Sale will look to be the stopper here for the Red Sox, who hope to leave Tampa Bay with a split. Like the White Sox on the other side of the AL bracket, if they can’t, they’re in big trouble.
Broadcast Info
First Pitch: 6:02 PM (CT)
TV: FS1
Radio: ESPN 1000
Starting Pitching Matchup
Shane Baz (RHP) – 2021: 2-0, 2.03 ERA – Postseason: NONE
vs.
Chris Sale (LHP) – 2021: 5-1, 3.16 ERA – Postseason: 1-2, 5.76 ERA
Starting Lineups
Lineups for the Rays-Red Sox were not available at the time of publishing, but we will update this story with the lineups as soon as they’re released.
Tampa Bay Rays
1. Randy Arozarena LF
2. Wander Franco SS
3. Brandon Lowe 2B
4. Nelson Cruz DH
5. Yandy Diaz 3B
6. Jordan Luplow 1B
7. Manuel Margot RF
8. Mike Zunino C
9. Kevin Kiermaier CF
Boston Red Sox
1. Kyle Schwarber 1B
2. Enrique Hernandez CF
3. Rafael Devers 3B
4. Xander Bogaerts SS
5. Alex Verdugo LF
6. J.D. Martinez DH
7. Hunter Renfroe RF
8. Christian Vazquez C
9. Christian Arroyo 2B
San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – NLDS Game 1
On to the main event of the evening, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers won a combined 213 games this season and battled neck and neck for six months for the NL West title. Ultimately, the Giants took that crown by just a mere game, but now the Dodgers have a chance to have the final laugh when it matters. In my book, Walker Buehler has dominated in the postseason, which puts the Dodgers in a great spot to take Game 1 in San Francisco tonight.
Broadcast Info
First Pitch: 8:37 PM (CT)
TV: TBS
Starting Pitching Matchup
Logan Webb (RHP) – 2021: 11-3, 3.03 ERA – Postseason: NONE
vs.
Walker Buehler (RHP) – 2021: 16-4, 2.47 ERA – Postseason: 3-1, 2.35 ERA
Starting Lineups
Lineups for the Giants-Dodgers were not available at the time of publishing, but we will update this story with the lineups as soon as they’re released.
San Francisco Giants
1. Tommy La Stella 2B
2. Wilmer Flores 1B
3. Brandon Crawford SS
4. Buster Posey C
5. LaMonte Wade RF
6. Kris Bryant LF
7. Mike Yastrzemski CF
8. Evan Longoria 3B
9. Logan Webb P
Los Angeles Dodgers
1. Mookie Betts RF
2. Corey Seager SS
3. Trea Turner 2B
4. Justin Turner 3B
5. Will Smith C
6. Matt Beaty 1B
7. Cody Bellinger CF
8. AJ Pollock LF
9. Walker Buehler P