Two Pivotal Game 5s On Deck for MLB Playoffs

October 11, 2024

By Carter Rennyson

Tonight, the Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Diego Padres in Game 5 of the NLDS. The New York Mets await the winner of this game after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in four games. Yu Darvish is starting for the Padres and Yoshinobu Yamamoto is starting for the Dodgers. The Dodgers are looking to avoid losing in the NLDS three years in a row. The Padres missed the postseason last year but can clinch their second NLCS appearance in three years with a win tonight. 

The Dodgers and Padres have had some bad blood in this series and Game 5 should be a great battle between these two loaded rosters. Shohei Ohtani has one home run in four games this series and will look to get the bat going later tonight. The star of the Padres has been Fernando Tatis Jr. His batting average through four games is .500 and he has four home runs, three doubles, and seven RBIs. 

On the mound, Yu Darvish will make his second start of the playoffs. In Game 2, he went seven innings with only three hits and one earned run. Yamamoto is also making his second start in these playoffs. In Game 1, he pitched only three innings and gave up five runs. Tonight, it will be crucial to get quality innings out of both starters as these bullpens are running a little thin. 

The Padres are seeking their first World Series championship in their 56th season and the Dodgers are looking for their 8th championship. 

The Tigers and Tarik Skubal will travel to Cleveland for an afternoon game against the Guardians. David Fry hit a two run home run late in Game 4 and brought home a crucial run in the top of the ninth inning. 

The Guardians lost a Game 5 to the Yankees in 2022 and missed the postseason last year. They are looking for their first ALCS appearance since 2016. The Tigers got hot at the right time this summer and managed to grab a playoff spot despite selling at the trade deadline. If the Tigers win Game 5, it will be their first ALCS appearance in 11 years. 

Tarik Skubal is making his third start of the playoffs. Skubal is going to win the AL Cy Young Award and has continued his stellar regular season play into these playoffs. Skubal pitched seven shutout innings in Game 2 and struck out eight batters. The Guardians will need to figure out Skubal if they want to advance to New York. 

The Tigers and Guardians series has been close but the Tigers have the upper hand with Skubal on the mound. 

Game 1 of the NLCS begins on Sunday while Game 1 of the ALCS begins on Monday night at Yankee Stadium. Comment in the General Chat who you think is going to face the Yankees and Mets in the League Championship Series.