Max Fried delivered a commanding performance against Boston in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Cody Bellinger and Luis Garcia Jr. each hit home runs as the New York Yankees cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Red Sox, completing a two-game AL Wild Card Series sweep.
After Willson Contreras broke Boston’s 26-inning postseason scoreless streak with a home run, the Yankees, holding a slim 2-1 lead, exploded in the sixth inning with a six-run surge. The pivotal inning was highlighted by a wild pitch that allowed Spencer Jones to reach base following a strikeout, a play confirmed by a video review.
New York’s next challenge will be against the AL East champions, the Tampa Bay Rays, in the upcoming AL Division Series starting on Saturday.
In another playoff matchup, the San Diego Padres eliminated the Chicago Cubs with a 4-1 victory in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. Pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets contributed a two-run homer, supported by a stellar pitching effort from five Padres pitchers who limited the Cubs to just five hits.
The Padres, led by Xander Bogaerts’ run production, displayed a dominant performance on the mound, shutting down the Cubs’ potent offense that led the majors in runs and NL in home runs during the regular season. San Diego will now face the MLB-leading Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Division Series.
The Chicago White Sox secured their first playoff series win since 2005 by defeating the Houston Astros 7-3, completing a sweep in the AL Wild Card Series. A strong first inning and a three-run homer by Chase Meidroth powered the White Sox to victory, marking a significant milestone for the team.
Under the guidance of second-year manager Will Venable and with support from Pope Leo XIV, the White Sox advanced to face the AL Central champions, the Cleveland Indians, in the AL Division Series starting on Saturday in Cleveland.
In a thrilling matchup, the Philadelphia Phillies outlasted the Atlanta Braves in the 10th inning with a go-ahead home run by Alec Bohm, sealing a 4-3 victory to force a decisive Game 3 in their National League Wild Card Series. The Phillies staged a comeback with consecutive homers from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper after trailing 3-1 in the seventh inning.
Andrew Painter, typically a starter in the regular season, delivered three scoreless innings to preserve the Phillies’ bullpen and secure the win. Painter’s stellar performance included a critical strikeout of Dominic Smith after a successful ABS challenge to strand two Braves baserunners in the 10th inning.
