/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72715009/usa_today_21480474.0.jpg)
Welcome to a day of playoff baseball!
Yesterday I asked you who the Most Valuable Player was for the Houston Astros through the regular season. At last count, 61 percent of you chose Kyle Tucker, our honorary 30/30 guy (you know they took that last one back, because Astros). After that, 39 percent of you chose “the field,” led by Mauricio Dubón (12 percent), Jose Altuve (11 percent), Chas McCormick and Yordan Alvarez (four percent each).
It’s no surprise, really, that Tucker lapped the entire field. He was the most consistently good from the beginning of the season to the end. Sure, he had his slumps, but his lows weren’t as low as some other players I could mention, but won't. Use your imagination. We’ll get to the pitching staff in tomorrow’s poll, but today we have something to collectively predict.
Starting today, we get playoff baseball. The 12 remaining teams will combine to play somewhere between 32 and 53 games, the last of which will determine 2024’s defending World Series Champion. Could it be....I don’t know... a two-time defending World Series Champion? My sources tell me there’s a 19.4 percent chance, second only to the Atlanta Braves 26.2 percent.
Gametimes and Starting Pitchers
TX @ TB — 2:08 PM CT: Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20) vs. Tyler Glasnow (10-7, 3.53)
TOR @ MIN — 3:38 PM CT: Kevin Gausman (12-9, 3.16) vs. Pablo López (11-8, 3.66)
AZ @ MIL — 6:08 PM CT: Brandon Pfaadt (3-9, 5.72) vs. Corbin Burnes (10-8, 3.39)
MIA @ PHI — 7:08 PM CT: Jesús Luzardo (10-9, 3.63) vs. Zack Wheeler (13-6, 3.61)
Houston Astros News
Houston Astros Pitcher, Former Survivor Contestant Welcome Baby (Sports Illustrated)
Houston Astros lead the way with 13 homegrown players on their postseason roster (BVM Sports)
The Astros Edge (PBS) Yet another big exposé all about the cheating scandal.
It sure seems Dusty Baker tipped his hand on Houston Astros postseason strategies (Sportsmap)
Texas Rangers GM Chris Young Rips ‘Classless’ Houston Astros Reporter for Postgame Party Post (Sports Illustrated)
AL West News
2023 Texas Rangers: A case study in historical success, amid “What if” disappointment (Yahoo)
Rangers vs. Rays (Tues., 3 ET, ABC)
Phil Nevin will not return as Angels manager in 2024
Angels part ways with manager Phil Nevin — is it a clue about Ohtani’s future? (Marca)
Why Charlie Culberson Would Be a Valuable Addition to the Oakland A’s Lineup (BVM Sports)
American League All-Star Has Fun Discussing Favorite Breakfast Spots Now That Season is Over (Sports Illustrated)
Rick Rizzs: ‘Mariners, you’re going to win a title next year’ (My Northwest)
George Kirby throws knuckleball for first time in game
MLB News
D-backs vs. Crew (Tues., 7 ET, ESPN2)
Marlins vs. Phillies (Tues., 8 ET, ESPN)
Jays vs. Twins (Tues., 4:30 ET, ESPN)
Attendance up, game time down in record-setting ‘23 season
The top 50 players in the postseason
Woodruff (shoulder) out for WC Series; rest of postseason ‘up in the air’
Stearns ‘expects’ Alonso to stay with Mets this winter
Houston Astros Birthdays
C Eric Munson (46) played in 103 games for the Astros in 2006 and 2007, and slashed .216/.291/.352 with nine home runs and 41 RBI.
RHP Bert Roberge (69) came out of the bullpen 62 times for Houston between 1979 and 1982. He struck out 40 in 82 innings, with a 1.293 WHIP and a 3.36 FIP.
RHP Jack Lamabe (1936-2007) appeared in three games for the Astros in the second half of the 1965 season. He had a 4.26 ERA in 12 2⁄3 innings.
POLL SECTION!!! PICK ‘EM!
Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field
Poll
Who wins the American League 4v5 bracket?
This poll is closed
-
7%
Texas in three
(11 votes) -
0%
Texas in two
(1 vote) -
36%
Tampa Bay in two
(52 votes) -
55%
Tampa Bay in three
(80 votes)
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Minnesota Twins, Target Field
Poll
Who wins the American League 3v6 bracket?
This poll is closed
-
49%
Toronto in three
(76 votes) -
12%
Toronto in two
(19 votes) -
3%
Minnesota in two
(6 votes) -
34%
Minnesota in three
(53 votes)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers, American Family Field
Poll
Who wins in the National League 3v6 bracket?
This poll is closed
-
22%
Arizona in three
(35 votes) -
3%
Arizona in two
(5 votes) -
33%
Milwaukee in two
(52 votes) -
41%
Milwaukee in three
(64 votes)
Miami Marlins vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Citizen’s Bank Park
Poll
Who wins in the National League 4v5 bracket?
This poll is closed
-
13%
Miami in three
(20 votes) -
5%
Miami in two
(9 votes) -
41%
Philadelphia in two
(63 votes) -
39%
Philadelphia in three
(61 votes)
Loading comments...