100 PITCHES LATER
The Mariners beat the Blue Jays 3-1 in Game 1 of the ALCS last night, and it took the M’s just a hundred pitches to do it.
On top of that, Toronto’s George Springer homered on the first pitch of the game. Then a walk, a smash to center, another walk, and another ripped liner to center. No more runs, but it sure looked like Bryce Miller, working on three days' rest for the first time in his career, was not long for this game.
In the 2nd inning, Anthony Santander ripped a one-out single. He was stranded. And that was it for Toronto’s offense. They had no hits the rest of the way.
But Kevin Gausman held the Mariners in abeyance until the Big Dumper, Cal Raleigh, hit his 62nd homer of the season to tie the game with two outs in the top of the 6th.
Julio Rodriguez then drew a walk, followed by a managerial gaffe. After just 76 pitches from Gausman, Brendon Little came in the game in relief. A wild pitch allowed Rodríguez to advance to second, and then Jorge Polanco singled to left to drive in the go-ahead and ultimately winning run.
In the 8th inning, Seranthony Domínguez walked Randy Arozarena, who then stole both second and third and scored on another Polanco single.
Miller went six innings, and he also threw 76 pitches.
Gabe Spier pitched an inning and threw eight pitches.
Matt Brash pitched an inning and threw eight pitches.
Andrés Muñoz pitched the 9th, earned the save, and threw eight pitches.
Game 2 is at 5:03 ET today. Logan Gilbert for the Mariners versus rookie sensation Trey Yesavage.
THE NLCS HAS ARRIVED
The Dodgers will start Blake Snell vs. TBD in Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Freddy Peralta in Game 2 against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
The Brewers have the home-field advantage, but all that can change with one win in Milwaukee.
The Brewers’ 52 home wins trailed only the Phillies and Blue Jays for most in the majors, tying the Dodgers for second-most in the NL.
In the NLDS, they went 3-0 at American Family Field.
The Dodgers hit .262 at home and .244 abroad.
The Brewers hit .247 at home and .268 on the road.
The Dodgers hit 148 homers at home and 103 homers away.
The Brewers hit 89 homers at home and 84 homers away.
Don’t give Milwaukee an extra out.
This regular season, the Dodgers scored 58 unearned runs, the Brewers 108 —the most in the majors.
So far this postseason, the Dodgers have made six errors, the Brewers have made one.
The Brewers are relentlessly annoying.
The Brewers lead the majors in singles.
The Brewers lead the NL in steals.
The Brewers had the second-fewest strikeouts in the NL.
The Brewers had the fewest swings and misses in the NL.
The Brewers chased the second-fewest pitches in the NL.
The Brewers hit .267 against lefties, the highest in the NL. The Dodgers hit .253.
The Dodgers can overpower any team in baseball.
The Dodgers lead the NL in homers, runs scored, walks, XBH, and Total Bases.
The Dodgers hit 179 homers against righties and 72 against lefties, both the most in the NL.
The Dodgers hit 143 homers off starters, the most in the NL. They hit 108 homers off relievers, the most in the majors.
EARL WEAVER WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD
The Dodgers led the majors in three-run homers.
The Dodgers led the NL in two-run homers.
THANK YOU, SHOHEI
The Dodgers led the majors in leadoff homers.
The pitching dynamics have changed in the postseason
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