So we're almost 48 hours away from probably the first wildcard game… Do we know any times yet?

Still TBD, probably will be announced once the games are over today. I'm going to bet that we will be one of the early games.

Really interesting dive into HInch's Tigers improbable run and how they aren't following the traditional rules of pitching rotation, leaning heavily in the opener approach.

So for everyone wondering, these are the playoff implications today.

AL 5/6 seed

Detroit is the 5 seed if they win OR KC loses.
KC is the 5 seed if they win AND Detroit loses.

AL 5/6 seed is a complete cluster. This is the cliff notes.

ARI holds no tie breaker. ATL has the tie breaker over NYM but it's H2H 6-5 and the make up games will matter. There are 8 combinations of W/L between the three games and each scenario has implications.

Monday games matter and have to be played. At least one and possibly both.

If ATL wins today they clinch a spot but not a seed. A loss today does not eliminate them.

If NYM wins AND ARI loses then NYM clinch but not a seed.

ARI needs help. They cannot clinch today but can be eliminated today. If ARI wins and the others lose then the WC would be determined by both games Monday.

#Royals Wild Card Series rotation:

Game 1: Cole Ragans
Game 2: Seth Lugo
Game 3 (if necessary): Michael Wacha

— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) September 29, 2024

Mathguy64 said:

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And by last day you mean Monday. The Mets and Braves will have wiped out staffs before the playoffs even start.

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True. On the other hand, if either team (or both) avoided the long stretches of dreadful ball during the season the rain outs tha forced the Monday makeup doubleheader would have been moot.

so to have the prisoner's dilemma setup for Monday's doubleheader...

need Arizona and the Mets to win

and the Braves to lose today

that would put the D-Backs at 89 wins...and both the Mets and Braves at 88 wins

Yep. I think the NL games will be the evening games just because the beautiful mess of the NL wildcard situation and the necessity of playing the rainout games tomorrow.

Yes but the Braves losing means KC won. And that opens the door to Detroit being the 6 seed.

Double edged sword.

We still questioning if Blanco should be the 4 starter in the postseason?

Game 162.

⚾: 2:10 PM CST
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#Relentless x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/SrOp37Ehx7

— Houston Astros (@astros) September 29, 2024

TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES:

The Astros have selected RHP Ryan Gusto (#67) to the Major League roster and have optioned RHP Shawn Dubin to Triple A.

Gusto will start today’s game for the Astros in what is his Major League debut. In a corresponding move, the Astros transferred OF Ben…

— Houston Astros (@astros) September 29, 2024

Me Gusto!

SEVEN ALL-MLB NOMINEES!!

Vote 1x every 24 hours 🗳️ https://t.co/Ydn0E5DEj8 pic.twitter.com/XOE6pfcgmL

— Houston Astros (@astros) September 29, 2024

Hader is ambidextrous?!?!

Any update on Yordan? I haven't heard anything.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Marvin said:

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Any update on Yordan? I haven't heard anything.

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They said something about him yesterday. Swelling had subsided, probably gonna get on the field in Houston today, still no clear answer on his availability

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Thx!

Officials from Astros and Guardians are talking on the field while it's raining and tarp is on the field. That includes both managers -- Stephen Vogt and Joe Espada.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 29, 2024

Both managers, umpires, front office and grounds crew all talking. This game has no meaning standings-wise for either team. pic.twitter.com/YAmQSZcAL0

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 29, 2024

Both managers, umpires, front office and grounds crew all talking. This game has no meaning standings-wise for either team. pic.twitter.com/YAmQSZcAL0

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 29, 2024

If I'm Cleveland, I want to play it. Get your guys a look a live one more time and generate some revenue at the ballpark.

From a Cleveland standpoint making Houston use pitchers in a meaningless game is not a bad thing.

But if a pitcher lost control of a wet ball and hit a batter in a hand or wrist nobody would be happy.

Mathguy64 said:

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From a Cleveland standpoint making Houston use pitchers in a meaningless game is not a bad thing.

But if a pitcher lost control of a wet ball and hit a batter in a hand or wrist nobody would be happy.

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Depends on the pitchers. I'd use only non leverage guys today

I would too. Regardless of score. And when it got out of hand late I would be throwing Big Jon.

But that assumes Cleveland cooperates and blows us out.

Astros-Guardians will start in a delay and the teams will "revisit" in an hour. Send liquor.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 29, 2024

Why are we showing replays of games from a series we lost last year?

More intriguing, in my opinion: Nolan Arenado's potential availability on the trade market, as @katiejwoo hints at in that story. The Astros will enter the offseason without a third baseman.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 29, 2024

The bit on Nolan is interesting... Probably don't have to give up as much if we take on the money