When the calendar flips to October, relievers take over. They accounted for nearly half of all innings pitched in last year’s postseason. While the trend has been steadily increasing for several years, the Brewers took that philosophy to the extreme in their 3-2 extra-innings victory over the Rockies in Game 1 of the NLDS. Christian Yelich launched a two-run homer off Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela in the third inning and the Brewers were three outs from a Game One victory after four relievers -- Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, Corey Knebel and Josh Hader -- combined for eight shutout innings. Less than 24 hours earlier, a similar gambit by the Athletics had imploded in spectacular fashion in Yankee Stadium. However, the Brewers had seemingly illustrated the perfect blueprint to spawn revolution in postseason reliever usage. Not only had they eschewed a traditional starter in favor of an unorthodox opener, but all four relievers they utilized recorded at least four outs over eight frames. The bold strategy worked perfectly, until everything unraveled at the finish line.
The Rockies mounted a furious ninth-inning comeback against Milwaukee closer Jeremy Jeffress, who hadn’t allowed an earned run since August 29. The improbable rally after eight innings of futility began rather innocuously when Gerardo Parra and Matt Holliday led off the inning with back-to-back singles, putting the tying runs on base. Charlie Blackmon plated a run with an RBI single to right field before DJ LeMahieu reached on a throwing error by shortstop Orlando Arcia and put the tying run 90 feet away with nobody out. Nolan Arenado, who was robbed of a run-scoring extra-base by his Brewers counterpart Mike Moustakas back in the first inning, followed with a game-tying RBI sacrifice fly. Jeffress managed to escape without any further damage, but there’s a strong possibility that the Brewers will turn to Hader or Knebel in the next high-leverage situation they face in the series.
Fittingly, it was Milwaukee’s offensive catalyst, Yelich, who led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a single to salvage the win. He eventually came around to score the game-winning run on a Moustakas walk-off single to lift the Brewers’ to an extra-inning victory. The 26-year-old outfielder finished 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, a stolen base and a pair of walks. At this point, we’ve simply run out of superlatives to describe his surreal second-half surge. It’s a quick turnaround for both teams with Game 2 of the series slated for Friday afternoon. Jhoulys Chacin will take the ball on short rest for the Brewers, while lefty Tyler Anderson, who served up a National League-leading 30 homers during the regular season, gets the nod for the Rockies.
Dodgers Demolish Braves
Meanwhile, the Dodgers behind seven scoreless innings from Hyun-Jin Ryu, who allowed just four hits and struck out eight batters, defeated the Braves 6-0 to take a 1-0 series lead in their NLDS matchup on Thursday. Joc Pederson set the tone with a leadoff homer against Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz and Max Muncy followed with a three-run shot in the second inning to effectively put the game away. The Braves lineup managed just six hits in the shutout loss. All eyes will turn to Clayton Kershaw, who is slated to start Game 2 of the series for the Dodgers on Friday night. The 30-year-old southpaw gets unfairly criticized for his perceived lack of postseason success, but he’s still arguably the greatest pitcher of his generation. He has an opportunity to give Los Angeles a commanding series lead. It’s too early to panic, but the Braves need a strong performance from veteran right-hander Anibal Sanchez in this one.
Sale Set for Fenway Showdown
It’s been 14 years since the last time Boston and New York clashed in the postseason. However this time the pressure is on the Red Sox. More specifically, Chris Sale. The central question, which will have a larger impact on their success or failure than any other variable this month, revolves around the health of their ace. The range of potential outcomes when he takes the mound at Fenway Park on Friday night is wider than the Grand Canyon. His recent mechanical issues and lingering health questions have led to rampant speculation on both fronts. Rather than dive down that rabbit hole, here are the simple facts. The 29-year-old southpaw has made two shoulder-related trips to the disabled list and thrown only 29 innings in seven starts since the All-Star break. In his final start of the regular season against the Orioles last Wednesday, his average fastball velocity (90.2 mph) was the lowest of his entire major-league career. The Red Sox were insistent that his diminished velocity was the result of faulty mechanics, not lingering shoulder issues. Regardless of the underlying cause, it’s still a legitimate concern.
There’s no question Sale will be ready to go mentally in Game 1 of the ALDS, but we have no way of knowing where he’s at from a physical standpoint. Here’s why it matters. If Sale is ineffective, or unable to pitch deep into the game, it puts increased pressure on David Price, Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi and a shaky collection of relievers -- outside of closer Craig Kimbrel -- to shoulder a much larger workload over the remainder of the series. We know that Sale can still be effective with diminished velocity, but if he’s compromised physically, can he dominate a potent Yankee lineup in the playoffs? We’re about to find out.
Houston, We’ve Got A Pitcher’s Duel
The defending World Series champion Astros kick off their title defense with Game 1 against the Indians on Friday afternoon. It’s hard to believe that a matchup featuring a pair of throwback, old-school aces in Corey Kluber and Justin Verlander -- who own a combined three Cy Young Awards since 2011 -- is the afterthought on the American League side, but here we are. In a postseason landscape dominated by relievers, this is the old school throwback matchup where it wouldn’t be shocking to see either starter go the distance.
Quick Hits: Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters on Thursday that Kevin Gausman is the favorite to start Game 3 of the NLDS … CC Sabathia is on the 25-man roster for the Yankees for their ALDS matchup against the Red Sox … Nathan Eovaldi is scheduled to start a potential ALDS Game 4 against the Yankees … Hector Rondon was left off the Astros’ ALDS roster … Jon Gray was left off the Rockies' NLDS roster … Dan Winkler was left off the Braves' NLDS roster … Eric Thames was left off the Brewers’ NLDS roster … Ross Stripling was left off the Dodgers' NLDS roster … Indians manager Terry Francona said there are “no restrictions” on Yan Gomes (thumb) heading into the ALDS … According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Eric Wedge, John McDonald, Stubby Clapp, David Bell, and Sandy Alomar Jr. are among the names under consideration for the Blue Jays' managerial vacancy … Pirates’ reliever Edgar Santana underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery on Thursday … Padres designated Jose Torres for assignment.
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