The four Wild Card series ALL concluded yesterday, with each ending in a 2-0 sweep. Probably not what MLB or its TV partners were looking for …
Diamondbacks 5, Brewers 2 – Arizona Wins Series 2-0
The Brewers scored two in the first off of Zac Gallen and that was it. The Diamondbacks came back when Freddy Peralta wore down and Abner Uribe was wild, sweeping the Brewers out of the playoffs.
In their last 10 playoff games, the Brewers are just 1-9.
The highlights:
The Diamondbacks next face the Dodgers in the NLDS, which begins on Saturday.
Phillies 7, Marlins 1 – Philadelphia Wins Series 2-0
Who could have imagined that being a starkly negative run differential team with an outrageous record in one-run games wouldn’t translate to the postseason? The Marlins got bounced with ease by the Phillies, who made this one non-competitive by the middle innings.
The highlights:
Next up for the Phillies is an NLDS match-up with the Braves. Kinda fun that both NLDS wound up being divisional match-ups.
Twins 2, Blue Jays 0 – Minnesota Wins Series 2-0
The discourse was all about an early pull of Jose Berrios, who’d been pitching well, but if the Blue Jays weren’t going to score anyway, what did it matter?
The highlights:
The Twins move on to face the Astros in the ALDS, which begins on Saturday.
Rangers 7, Rays 1 – Texas Wins Series 2-0
Another sloppy performance by the Rays, and the Texas bats just did not let up. The Rays started the season off by winning 13 straight, and it turns out that’s when their year peaked.
The highlights:
The Rangers move on to the ALDS to face the league-best Orioles.