Wild Card gamethread: 9/30

While the best teams in baseball are sitting at home, resting up for the NLDS, the MLB playoffs begin today with four Wild Card games.

Here are the matchups:

Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians – 1 PM, ESPN

The Detroit Tigers appeared to have the American League Central well in hand, but after a 7-17 September, had to settle for a Wild Card spot. They were passed by the Cleveland Guardians, who went 20-7 in the final month to earn the Central title. The Tigers will start Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal against Cleveland righthander Gavin Williams.

Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres – 3 PM, ABC

The Cubs’ 92 wins were good enough to earn the NL’s top Wild Card spot and will go against the Padres who took the second Wild Card by virtue of their 90 wins. Former Phillie Nick Pivetta will get the ball for the Padres, while lefty Matthew Boyd goes for the Cubs.

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees – 6 PM, ESPN

These two historic rivals finished behind the Blue Jays in the American League East and will now face off in the Wild Card round. In game one, both teams will use starting pitchers acquired as free agents in the past offseason with New York’s Max Fried facing off against the league’s strikeout leader in Boston’s Garrett Crochet.

Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers – 9 PM, ESPN

The defending champion Dodgers once again won the National League West, but by virtue of having the league’s third best record, will have to start their title defense in the Wild Card round. They’ll host the Reds who outlasted the Mets to capture the NL’s final Wild Card spot. The Reds will start Hunter Greene while the Dodgers go with Blake Snell.

Discuss below…