Allie Wenskoski, Sophomore
On Tuesday, October 1st, the first Major League Baseball wildcard game occurred, and the second one was on Wednesday, October 2nd. Wildcard games are two games that occur every year after the MLB regular season and before the playoffs. In order to make it into playoffs, MLB teams compete all season to become division leaders. Division leaders automatically make the playoffs. However, four teams that are not division leaders get the chance to make the playoffs by playing in a wildcard game. The winners make the playoffs and the losers go home.
The Washington Nationals faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League wildcard. Even though the Nationals had one of their best starting pitchers on the mound, Max Scherzer, the Brewers took an early lead. Trent Grisham walked as the first batter of the game and Yasmani Grandal hit the first pitch of his at bat for a home run, making the score 2-0, Brewers. Continuing the dominance, Eric Thames hit a solo home run in the second inning. Brandon Woodruff started off pitching for the Brewers. His performance was stellar, with only one hiccup when he gave up a solo home run to Trea Turner. Despite Woodruff’s impressive outing on the mound, he was pulled after four innings, and Drew Pomeranz took the mound in his place. It was 3-1, Brewers, heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. A hit-by-pitch put a runner on first for the home team, the Washington Nationals. Runners went to first and third with one out after Ryan Zimmerman hit a short blooper just past the infield dirt. Anthony Rendon was then walked to make the bases loaded. Juan Soto had the biggest hit of the night, a line drive into right field that was followed by a fielding error by Trent Grisham. As a result of this fielding blunder, the Nationals took the lead 4-3. The ninth inning was lights out and the Washington Nationals won the game. The Nationals move on to face the Dodgers while the Milwaukee Brewers are officially eliminated.
Game two of the MLB wildcard race was Wednesday night. The Tampa Bay Rays faced the Oakland Athletics for the American League wildcard. Similar to the start of the NL wild card game, the Rays got a quick jump on scoring runs. In the top of the first, Yandy Diaz hit a home run over the wall in right center. Then, in the top of the second, Avisail Garcia hit a two run shot bringing home Matt Duffy, which extended the Rays lead to 3-0. Yandy Diaz continued his big night by hitting his second homer in the top of the third. However, in the bottom of the third, the A’s return the scoring with a run of their own: Ramon Laureano hit a sacrifice fly out to right and brought Marcus Semien home. The excitement for the Athletic’s did not last long, though, as Tommy Pham for the Rays hit a fly ball over the center field wall making the score 5-1 after the fifth inning. Both teams played tough defense and did not let up any more runs, which gave the Tampa Bay Rays the win. They will play against the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series starting on Friday, October 5th.
The rest of the MLB playoffs are ahead, so stay tuned for playoff game scores and, ultimately, your 2019 World Series Champion.
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