MLB postseason picture: Brewers use lucky roll to stay alive in NL Central
The final weekend of the MLB season is upon us and there are still a few things up in the air for the postseason. For the next two nights we’ll bring you all the latest updates and scenarios as the MLB postseason picture takes shape.
The Milwaukee Brewers can’t afford a hiccup this weekend if they hope to stay alive in the NL Central. A hiccup very nearly occurred during Friday’s series opener against the Detroit Tigers, but a lucky roll saved the game and gave them an opportunity to catch the Chicago Cubs this weekend.
After All-Star reliever Josh Hader coughed up a two-run lead in the eighth inning, Ryan Braun delivered the second of his two home runs in the bottom half. Only this wasn’t a typical home run by any stretch. The long ball likely would have stayed in the ballpark. However, it bounced in and out of the glove of Tigers right fielder Nick Castellanos, before slowly rolling along the top of the fence.
Eventually, the baseball dropped off and over the wall, giving Braun his 20th home run of the season and the Brewers a 6-5 lead. That would be the final score after Jeremy Jeffress pitched a scoreless ninth.
With the win, Milwaukee remains a game behind Chicago with two games left in the season. That means a Brewers clinch, Cubs clinch or a tie are still in play this weekend. The Cubs lowered their magic number to two with a win against the St. Louis Cardinals. If needed, a tiebreaker game would be played Monday afternoon in Chicago.
The state of the other MLB races
• NL West: A tiebreaker is still possible out west as well. Though the Colorado Rockies clinched a postseason berth with a win against the Washington Nationals, the division is still up for grabs. The Los Angeles Dodgers remained one game back thanks to win against the San Francisco Giants. As in the central, a clinch for either team or a tie is still possible by Sunday. If needed, a tiebreaker game would be played Monday afternoon in Los Angeles.
• NL wild card: The Brewers or Cubs will host the NL wild card game depending on how the NL Central plays out. Whether they host the Rockies, Dodgers or Cardinals is also yet to be determined. The Dodgers currently own the second spot with a two-game lead over the Cardinals. Los Angeles still has a shot to catch and pass Colorado in the NL West, which would knock the Rockies into that position. St. Louis also still has a chance to tie Los Angeles, which would force a tiebreaker on Monday.
• AL wild card: The New York Yankees wrapped up home-field advantage in the AL wild-card game with their 11-6 win against the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees will host the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, Oct. 3.
Already clinched
• AL East: The Red Sox were the first team to clinch a spot in the playoffs. They’ve also clinched home field throughout the playoffs.
• AL Central: The Cleveland Indians were the first team to clinch their division. It’s been two weeks since they’ve played a truly meaningful game.
• AL West: The Houston Astros have clinched back-to-back AL West titles and back-to-back 100-win seasons.
• NL East: The Atlanta Braves already clinched the NL East. Now they’re fighting for home-field advantage in the NLDS.
If the playoffs started today
Wild-card games: A’s at Yankees; Dodgers at Brewers
ALDS: Indians vs. Astros; wild-card winner vs. Red Sox
NLDS: Rockies vs. Braves; wild-card winner vs. Cubs
Elimination watch
No team was eliminated from the postseason Friday. The St. Louis Cardinals were pushed to the brink though with their loss. They are one loss or a Dodgers win from elimination.
Saturday’s must-see game
The Dodgers-Giants rivalry will take center stage as the Dodgers look to claim a postseason berth and gain ground in the NL West. It’s nearly a must-win for Los Angeles, especially with ace Clayton Kershaw on the hill. He’ll be opposed by rookie Dereck Rodriguez.
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