The MLB Wild Card series starts today. With eight teams in action, here’s one thing to watch for each team.
Atlanta Braves: The Starting Rotation
The Braves starting rotation is far from what fans expected when the season began. Spencer Strider made just two starts this season before an injury forced him to miss the year. Chris Sale is the National League Cy Young Award favorite but will be unavailable to pitch in this series due to back spasms. The Braves have yet to announce a starter for Game 1. Ian Anderson, Bryce Elder, and AJ Smith-Shawver are all options to draw the start.
Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta
Freddy Peralta reached 200 strikeouts for the Brewers this year as the team’s ace. However, he has often failed to finish innings cleanly, putting men on base with two outs. He had 68 walks this season, tied for fifth most in the majors. Peralta has a 3.68 ERA this season but has been better in the second half of the season. He had a 4.11 ERA in the first half as opposed to a 3.06 in the second. The Brewers will need Peralta at his best to win Game 1 against the New York Mets hot offense.
San Diego Padres: The Offensive Stars
The Padres scored the eighth-most runs in MLB this season. However, they will need their stars to produce on the biggest stage. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar, Luis Arraez, and Jackson Merrill are a tough group to face for any starter. If those guys can produce, the Padres might just sweep Atlanta and be on their way to Los Angeles for the National League Division Series.
New York Mets: The Bullpen
The Mets are in a unique situation. They used Edwin Díaz for two innings in Game 1 of their doubleheader against the Braves. He also threw 26 pitches the day before against the Brewers. Adam Ottavino threw in both games in the doubleheader. Phil Maton has pitched in three straight games. Reed Garrett should be available in Game 1. However, going into Game 1 with a taxed bullpen could be the difference between winning and losing the series.
Detroit Tigers: Can They Stay Hot?
The Tigers were basically forgotten and counted out of the postseason reach. Yet, here they are with Tarik Skubal on the mound in Game 1. They went 17-8 in August to fight their way into the Wild Card series. Sometimes, the scariest team in the postseason isn’t the best team; it’s the hottest team. The Tigers have been playing to stay alive for almost two months; this series should feel no different to them.
Houston Astros: Yordan Alvarez
The Astros are not short of stars or experience this postseason. However, Yordan Alvarez might be the key to a deep run. He leads the team in home runs, RBIs and walks. He was named to his third consecutive All-Star game this season as well. If Alvarez can stay hot through October, the Astros could find themselves in the World Series again.
Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr.
Bobby Witt Jr. made himself a legitimate MVP candidate, and if not for the existence of Aaron Judge, he would have had a chance. However, although he was good in September, it was one of his worst months of the season. That means he is going into the most important series of the year in a little bit of a slump. In September, he had a season-low batting average, OPS and hits. Can he kick things back into gear for October?
Baltimore Orioles: Starting Pitching
Former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes will take the mound in Game 1, but beyond that, nothing is set in stone. Trade deadline acquisition Zach Eflin is likely to start. Eflin has nine starts with the Orioles with a 2.60 ERA. Burnes and Eflin will need to be at the top of their game, as Kansas City will have Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo pitching. If the Orioles offense hits a wall, it will be up to Burnes and Eflin to make sure things do not get out of hand.
______
WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
