Once again, MLB is offering a four-game playoff buffet with the AL and NL Division Series both happening on the same day.
The four teams with the best records – the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees – will be playing their first games since the regular season ended six days ago. Will the extra rest work in their favor in allowing their injuries to heal and their circulation to be repaired? Or will another break leave them rusty in their openings?
We can’t wait to find out. Stay tuned here for all the updates and information you need to stay on top of today’s action.
PLAYOFF schedule: Dates, times, matchups, TV information for the MLB postseason
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Strider on, Robertson off NLDS rosters
ATLANTA – Philadelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson will miss the NL Division Series after injuring his right calf while jumping to celebrate at home run by Bryce Harper in their wild-card victory at St. Louis.
The Phillies left Robertson out of the lineup for their NLDS opener in Atlanta on Tuesday. The Braves defensive lineman inserted rookie right-hander Spencer Strider into their game after he was sidelined since Sept. 18 with an ulcer on the left side.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said Strider will sit out Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia but won’t be available for the first game.
Strider, signed Monday a contract of 75 million dollars, 6 yearsit can be used as a primer or a refresher, according to Snitker.
The Braves will be without October NLDS hero Tyler Matzek as the left-hander is dealing with an elbow injury and is being evaluated.
— The Associated Press
Yankees’ Gerrit Cole hopes to find postseason redemption
In last season’s AL wild-card game, the Yankees start Gerrit Cole was knocked out in the third inning against the Red Sox
“It took a long time to finish,” Cole told USA TODAY Sports. “I hate to lose. I can’t stand it. I get upset. I get angry. I thought about it over and over again.
“It was a terrible feeling. I was just sick to my stomach.”
Cole, who the Yankees signed to a $324 million contract, starts Game 1 against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
– Bob Nightingale
Playoff predictions: Favorites have a significant edge
Coming off of Major League Baseball’s first wild-card week, the 2022 postseason enters a traditional (since 1995!) best-of-five division series starting Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the regular season with 111 wins, which is more than any team in baseball since 2001, but. winning the second World Series in three years it won’t be a cakewalk.
Here is the process USA TODAY Sports’ baseball reporters and editors watch postseason play:
- Four pick the Dodgers to win it all.
- One with the Astros over the Braves
- One with the Braves over the Astros
- And one that has the Padres pulling off a major upset
