The 2024 MLB playoffs started with some high drama across the country, as the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets and Cleveland Guardians all came out on top in Game 1 of their Division Series.
Here’s how it all went down:
Dodgers 7, Padres 5
The Dodgers and Padres capped a chaotic day with another dramatic game, as the Dodgers came out on top 7-5.
It started with a three-run home run by the Padres against Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Shohei Ohtani responded with a three-run homer to pitch himself to the MLB postseason. Both teams had another rally from there, but the Dodgers were the team that held on after both pitchers left the game.
The Dodgers bullpen combined to throw six scoreless innings, though they were adventurous, with a total of four walks in the eighth and ninth innings.
Yankees 6, Royals 5
In their first postseason game since 1980, the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees exchanged the lead five times, which had never happened before in a postseason game, according to Sarah Lange of MLB.com. The Yankees went on top 6-5 in the seventh inning on an Alex Verdugo RBI single off Michael Lorenzen and made the lead stick.
Luke Weaver finished the win with a four-hit shutout, striking out three Kansas City batters while allowing no runs or hits. Gleyber Torres and Austin Wells each drove in two runs for the Yankees, and Verdugo and Anthony Volpe each had one RBI.
For the Royals, MJ Melendez and Garrett Hampson each had two RBIs, with Tommy Pham driving in the other. Michael Lorenzen took the loss and allowed one run.
Mets 6, Phillies 2
The Phillies and Mets played two games on Saturday.
The first was Zach Wheeler’s gem. The Phillies outfielder mowed down the Mets lineup for seven straight innings, striking out nine and allowing just one hit. After Kyle Schwarber’s leadoff homer, it looked as if that was all the Phillies needed, thanks to their ace and a stacked bullpen.
Then he took over in the eighth inning and turned into a soft batter. Jeff Hoffman (2.17 regular season ERA), Matt Strahm (1.87 ERA), and Orion Kerkering (2.29 ERA) have allowed seven straight Mets to reach base and/or drive in a run. By the end of the frame, the Mets were up 5-1, and Citizen Banks Park went from loud to silent.
Rangers 7, Tigers 0
The Guardians dominated Game 1 with a 7-0 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Cleveland started the game strong, with a five-run first inning highlighted by Lane Thomas’ three-run homer. Thomas sent Reece Olson’s first relief pitch over the left field wall. Olson pacified things over the next several innings, but the Rangers were able to get the better of Shawn Guenther in the bottom of the sixth inning, when David Fry’s double extended their lead to 7-0.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee went 4 2/3 innings and allowed zero runs on four hits while striking out six batters.
Here’s a look at the first four games:
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Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 12:17 AM EDT-LAD: Dodgers 7, Padres 5
The Dodgers take a messy Game 1 behind a Shohei Ohtani homer, a great bullpen performance and some timely hits later in the game.
Both teams wanted this and now they may have to go through a grueling battle in Game 2, which will be Jack Flaherty vs. Yu Darvish.
Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 12:06 AM EDT Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 12:03 AM EDTSD-LAD: Tanner Scott blocks Dodgers insurance runs
Souths is showing why the Padres brought him in at the trade deadline. He struck out both Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman to send the game to the ninth with the Dodgers leading by two runs. Now we see if San Diego’s lineup can justify Mike Shildt’s aggressive strategy.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:55 PM EST
Blake Treinen has only submitted more than one IP twice all year, most recently on August 29th. No one seems to welcome participation #Dodgers Bulls game
– Bill Plunkett (@billpunkettocr) October 6, 2024
Saturday, October 5, 2024 11:53 PM EDT-LAD: Padres bring in Tanner Scott at No. 8
We have a pitching change in the seventh inning. This time, the Padres brought in left-handed ace Tanner Scott after a single by Tommy Edman. They may be down twice, but they’re not taking any chances with Shohei Ohtani on deck. At bat now, though: Miguel Rojas.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:49 PM EDT-LAD: Blake Treinen loads the bases, but maintains the lead
Blake Treinen took out Xander Bogaerts, and needed a great play from Miguel Rojas to prevent the big hit (see below). Treinen then walked Jake Cronenworth to load the bases and Donovan Solano struck out to end the threat.
All of these starters ensure that the Padres will at least send Luis Arraez and Fernando Tatis Jr. to the plate in the ninth.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:40 PM EDT – LAD: After Michael Kopech walks 2, Dodgers bring in Blake Treinen for a 5-run save.
Kopech, the closest thing the Dodgers have to a closer, opens his debut by walking Jurickson Profar on four pitches, striking out Manny Machado, then issuing a 10-pitch walk to Jackson Merrill. That will be the case for him, as the Dodgers turn to Blake Treinen to make five saves.
This is the sixth midway change in the game.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:26 PM EDT-LAD: Michael Kopech is at the Dodgers.
After the Dodgers bottomed out scoreless in the seventh, Michael Kopesh comes in to face Jurickson Profar, Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill in the playoffs. Pretty wild sentence for a guy who posted a 4.74 ERA with the White Sox this year (he holds a 1.13 mark with the Dodgers after joining them at the trade deadline).
Saturday, October 5, 2024 11:15 PM EDT-LAD: Evan Phillips stays on for a scoreless inning.
After coming on in the final inning, former Dodgers closer Evan Phillips remains in the seventh and pitches pinch-hitter David Peralta, Luis Arez and Fernando Tatis Jr. The Padres have dropped their last six games, 7-5.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 11:07 PM EDT-LAD: Jason Adam pitches first 1-2-3 inning for Padres
It was an impressive showing from Jason Adam, who hit the first perfect inning of the game for San Diego, against the top of the Dodgers’ rotation. He struck out Shohei Ohtani and got groundouts from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. This change, along with its wonky mechanics, is a weapon.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:56 PM EDT-LAD: This is going to be a long game.
This game started at 5:39 PT. We have now finished the third hour of the game, and are still at the top of the sixth hour. Two ineffective starters, four mid-half changes (like this one that replaced Alex Vesia with Evan Phillips) and a bunch of offense will do that.
The longest nine-inning game in the pitch clock era, in the regular season and postseason, is three hours and 45 minutes.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 10:47 PM EDT-LAD: Dodgers add a run on a double play
Addiction hits the ground running to short distance. Xander Bogaerts considers playing the runner home, but opts for an easy double play instead. Now 7-5 Dodgers.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:45 PM EDTSD-LAD: Dodgers threaten after Manny Machado error
Will Smith reached second base on a rare throwing error by Manny Machado, then Gavin Lux hit a single to left field. The Dodgers now have runners in the rotation with no outs, and Tommy Edman at the top.
It’s odd that Edman, a hitter, bats right-handed against Estrada, a right-hander (Edman has bad splits hitting lefties).
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:33 PM EDT-LAD: The Dodgers have now matched the offensive production for the entire 2023 postseason
Max Muncy hits to end the fourth inning. With six runs, the Dodgers have now equaled their point total from their 2023 NLDS loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks — in a four-inning span.
The presence of Shohei Ohtani helps.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 10:29 PM EDT-LAD: Teoscar Hernandez gives Dodgers lead
Teoscar Hernandez comes in with the bases loaded and two outs, hitting a liner to center. Jackson Merrill also misses a rebound play, allowing an extra run. We have a match here.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 10:23 PM EDT-LAD: Padres get a runner at home
Freeman hits a soft ball to first and Donovan Solano sends the ball home for Rojas to pass. The Dodgers challenge the call at home and it is affirmed as expected.
The Padres now replace Morejon with Jeremiah Estrada
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:22 PM EDT-LAD: Dodgers scores run on passed ball, Padres IBB Mookie Betts
This is a way to close the gap to 5-4. Edman scores from third on a pitch that goes past Kyle Higashioka. Now the Padres intentionally walk Betts with a 2-2 score and have Morgon face Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded again and one out.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:19 PM EDTSD-LAD: Ohtani hits a single with RISP, but no run.
Ohtani reaches base with a broken single to center, but it wasn’t enough to score Edman from second. Mookie Betts would get the bases loaded with one out against lefty Morejon.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 10:16 PM EDT-LAD: Padres pull Dylan Cease with Shohei Ohtani to bat
Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas each hit singles, and so will Dylan Cease after 3 1/3 innings and 82 pitches. The Padres bring in left-hander Adrian Morejon to face the top of the Dodgers’ order, starting with Shohei Ohtani.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 10:08 PM EDT-LAD: Ryan Brazier hits a scoreless inning from the bullpen
Ryan Brasier comes in and works around Kyle Higashioka’s double in a scoreless inning of relief work. With how the Dodgers’ rotation is shaping up, this series could come down to their bullpen.
