That's what happened on a day where three teams were eliminated and only one matchup in the wild-card series will be decided in Game 3 on Thursday.
Three MLB wild-card series concluded Wednesday, with one of them going to a win-or-go-home third game.
The Detroit Tigers continued their surprising streak by sweeping the wild card series and knocking off the American League West champion Houston Astros with a repeat victory. The Kansas City Royals swept the Baltimore Orioles in the second American League game of the day. After trailing the Mets for most of the game, the Milwaukee Brewers scored three runs on two home runs in the eighth inning to beat New York and force a third game on Thursday. The San Diego Padres finished the night advancing to the National League Division Series with a sweep of the Atlanta Braves.
How did everything happen? We've provided you with updates and analysis following our results after each final release.
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Analysis game 2
The Tigers took the series 2-0
It may be fitting that 31-year-old part-timer Andy Ibanez, who has hit .175 over the past two months, has had the Tigers' biggest hit this season. He was called upon to pinch-hit against Astros star Josh Hader, and with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning, Ibanez hit a three-run double down the left field line. The win led Detroit to victory in a game in which they used seven different pitchers. The Tigers are young and unknown, but they continue to find a way to win. His latest feat: Snapped Houston's seven consecutive trips to the American League Championship Series. With this, the Tigers progressed to the divisional series starting on Saturday. His unimaginable streak continues.
What's next: The Tigers' next opponent is a familiar one: their American League Central rivals, the Cleveland Guardians, a team that fights in every department and is as cohesive as the Tigers. The Guardians barely won their inter-season series, finishing seventh out of 13. Meanwhile, the Astros enter an offseason of uncertainty, primarily surrounding their star third baseman, Alex Bregman, who is slated to become a free agent. –Alton Gonzalez
The Royals took the series 2-0
If the Royals are going to come to Baltimore and come away with their first postseason series win in nearly a decade, they're going to follow the same formula they got here: great starts, tight defense and clutch hitting. The script followed as written, and the Royals won the series 2–1 (which followed a 1–0 victory in Game 1) to send Kansas City to face the first-place New York Yankees in the League Division Series.
The starting pitching in Game 2 was less than solid, with Seth Lugo retired after 4⅓ innings with the bases loaded and one out. But Angel Zerba escaped the jam and started a 4⅔-inning scoreless march out of Kansas City's suddenly stellar bullpen. The Royals' infielders and outfielders were steel traps, and for the second straight game, Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the winning run.
What's next: They head to New York, reviving a rivalry unmatched in baseball in the late 1970s. The game was different, yes, but with Cole Rugans lined up twice in a five-game series, the gloves even better and Whitt joining Vinny Pasquantino and Salvador Perez in the middle of the lineup, the Royals hope to replicate what happened. The last time these teams played in the postseason was a three-game sweep in the five-game 1980 ALCS. –Jeff Basson
The series is tied at 1-1
The Brewers were in this position last year: down 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, struggling in a close elimination game and needing a big win. That big win never came, and the loss helped launch the Arizona Diamondbacks into the World Series. But one of the great things about these Brewers is that while the wins and standings are similar, it's a very different club. That's how it is. The Brewers got a big hit in the eighth inning by Jackson Sorio and Garrett Mitchell, but two, two home runs.
It was the Brewers' version that got everyone so excited. They are young people. They are arrogant, powerful and fast. They have a deep, dangerous bullpen that's perfect for October baseball. That team showed up at the right time during Game 2. A big part of having a playoff run is driving momentum. The Mets have been riding the wave all week, starting in Atlanta. However, heading into Thursday's decisive Game 3, the Brewers now have momentum on their side. After all, we'll actually have a Wild Card Game 3!
What's next: There will be a recognition gap between the starters in the decisive Game 3. While the Mets' Jose Quintana is a well-known veteran who has played for several playoff clubs, those tuning in from outside of Milwaukee may not know much about Tobias Myers. . Just know this: Myers, a 26-year-old freshman right-hander, has been phenomenal over the past three months. Since July 10, Myers has a 2.55 ERA and 3.46 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching). One pitcher may be better known than the other, but it's hard to see which team has the advantage in the matchup. –Bradford Doolittle
The Padres took the series 2-0
The Padres were a popular choice to make the World Series before the playoffs because of the way they've played over the past three months, and they showed why in this two-game sweep: as dominant a starter as we've seen from Michael King (albeit Joe). Musgrove left Game 2 with an injury, so keep that in mind); a deep bullpen; The combination of power and communication on crime; and rookie sensation Jackson Merrill.
It was too much to ask of the Braves to overcome injuries to Chris Sale, Austin Riley, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider. They'll be back next year, with their A lineup and rotation.
What's next: Dodgers-Padres. The conflict is ongoing. Baseball fans can expect plenty of fireworks from Saturday's dynamic NLDS showdown in Los Angeles. — David Schoenfeld
