We had all four playoff series in action on Friday, as both ALDS series went to Game 2 and each NLDS series got underway. Here's a recap of those games, as well as a preview of Saturday's two games:
Blue Jays take 2-0 lead over Rangers
Even though the Texas Rangers have had home field advantage in this series, they have lost each of their first two games and are now on the brink of elimination. While this one wasn't a blowout like Game 1, Toronto still showed their power, blasting four home runs - including three in the fifth inning to take control. The Rangers tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two runs, but the Blue Jays emerged with the 5-3 victory.
Worth noting, Texas led this series 2-0 last year before Toronto won the next three games. The Rangers are hoping history repeats itself and they can pull off a similar comeback. Game 3 is tomorrow at 7:38 pm ET on TBS.
Indians push Red Sox to brink
The Boston Red Sox entered the playoffs as the American League favorite, and now find themselves in a 0-2 hole. Cleveland Indians pitcher Corey Kluber threw an absolute gem, going seven scoreless innings before the bullpen preserved a 6-0 victory. Boston, the highest-scoring offense in the AL, was limited to just three hits in the game.
Cleveland also got on the board early, as a three-run homer from Lonnie Chisenhall in the second inning capped a 4-run frame for the Indians. Game 3 of the series is tomorrow at 4:08 pm ET on TBS.
Dodgers take Game 1 over Nationals
Clayton Kershaw had a sub-par game by his standards, giving up eight hits and three runs through five innings, but the Los Angeles Dodgers found a way to beat the Washington Nationals, 4-3. Los Angeles gave him plenty of early run support, as Corey Seager homered in the first inning and a two-run blast from Justin Turner capped a three-run third inning.
Game 2 between these teams in this afternoon, set to start at 4:00 pm ET on FS1. Here are the projected lineups for each team:
Dodgers
LF Howie Kendrick
SS Corey Seager
3B Justin Turner
1B Adrian Gonzalez
RF Yasiel Puig
C Carlos Ruiz
CF Enrique Hernandez
2B Charlie Culberson
SP Rich Hill
Nationals
CF Ben Revere
2B Wilmer Difo
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Clint Robinson
SS Danny Espinosa
LF Brian Goodwin
C Jose Lobaton
SP Tanner Roark
Cubs win pitchers duel
Jon Lester and Johnny Cueto were engaged in an epic pitcher's duel in Game 1 of this series, each going seven scoreless innings. Just when it seemed like this game might be scoreless going into extra innings, Javier Baez blasted a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth to give the Chicago Cubs a 1-0 win over the San Francisco Giants:
That was one of just three hits Chicago had in the game, but it didn't matter as the Giants stranded all six baserunners.
Game 2 is set to start at 8:00 pm ET tonight on FS1. Here are the projected lineups for each team:
Cubs
CF Dexter Fowler
3B Kris Bryant
1B Anthony Rizzo
2B Ben Zobrist
SS Addison Russell
RF Jason Heyward
LF Chris Coghlan
C Miguel Montero
SP Kyle Hendricks
Giants
CF Denard Span
1B Brandon Belt
C Buster Posey
RF Hunter Pence
SS Brandon Crawford
LF Angel Pagan
2B Joe Panik
3B Conor Gillaspie
SP Jeff Samardzija