The MLB playoffs continued on Friday night with Game 1 of the ALCS, which resulted in a 2-0 win for the Cleveland Indians over the Toronto Blue Jays. Game 2 of that series gets underway this afternoon, while the Chicago Cubs are set to host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS tonight. Here is a recap of last night's game and a preview of both of today's games:
Indians take 1-0 lead
In a game that proved to be an excellent pitchers duel, it only took one swing of the bat for Cleveland to take control of this series. Corey Kluber pitched 6.1 scoreless innings to lead the Indians, but he was matched by Toronto's Marco Estrada - until Francisco Lindor stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the sixth:
Estrada only gave up one more hit the rest of the way, but the Blue Jays couldn't muster any offense.
Game 2 is set to start at 4:00 pm ET on TBS, but the Indians are not going with their preferred pitcher. Trevor Bauer was slated to start tonight, but lacerated his finger while doing "routine maintenance" on his drone. The cut required stitches, putting Josh Tomlin on the mound for the game. Bauer is expected to be eligible to start in Game 3 on Monday.
Here are the projected starting lineups for this afternoon's game:
Indians
CF Rajai Davis
2B Jason Kipnis
SS Francisco Lindor
1B Mike Napoli
DH Carlos Santana
3B Jose Ramirez
LF Brandon Guyer
RF Lonnie Chisenhall
C Roberto Perez
SP Josh Tomlin
Blue Jays
LF Ezequiel Carrera
3B Josh Donaldson
1B Edwin Encarnacion
RF Jose Bautista
C Russell Martin
SS Troy Tulowitzki
DH Michael Saunders
CF Kevin Pillar
2B Devon Travis
SP J.A. Happ
Cubs, Dodgers prepare for Game 1
The Dodgers survived a tough Game 5 against the Nationals in Washington to advance to the NLCS against the waiting Chicago Cubs, who have been off since Tuesday. The Cubs, the overwhelming favorites, are looking to make their first World Series berth since 1945, while the Dodgers haven't been since winning the title in 1988.
With Clayton Kershaw used at the end of the NLDS, Kenta Maeda will be making the start on the hill for LA. Jon Lester will start Game 1 again for the Cubs.
Here are the projected starting lineups for each team:
Cubs
CF Dexter Fowler
3B Kris Bryant
1B Anthony Rizzo
LF Ben Zobrist
SS Addison Russell
RF Jason Heyward
2B Javier Baez
C Willson Contreras
SP Jon Lester
Dodgers
2B Chase Utley
SS Corey Seager
3B Justin Turner
1B Adrian Gonzalez
RF Josh Reddick
CF Joc Pederson
C Yasmani Grandal
LF Andrew Toles
SP Kenta Maeda