MLB playoff round-up: Ohtani puts LA Dodgers in control but New York Yankees one defeat from elimination
The Yankees will be eliminated if they lose Game Two to the BoSox
Shohei Ohtani homered twice as the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their NL wild card series with a 10-5 dismantling of the Cincinnati Reds.
The Japanese superstar helped the defending World Series champions establish an 8-0 lead through six innings before the Reds staged a late rally to give some respectability to the scoreline.
Teoscar Hernandez also hit two home runs as Reds starter Hunter Greene struggled early with his command before exiting in the third inning.
Dodgers starter Blake Snell took the win after giving up two runs through seven innings.
The Reds must win Game Two tonight to keep the best-of-three series alive.
The Chicago Cubs are one win away from advancing to a NLDS clash with the Milwaukee Brewers after beating the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Game One.
Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly both homered and Matthew Boyd combined with four relievers to get the home team over the line.
New York Yankees in trouble as Crochet mows them down
In the American League, the New York Yankees are one game from elimination after losing 3-1 to the Boston Red Sox.
Yankees starter Max Fried threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings but the home team’s bullpen fell apart, Masataka Yoshida hitting a two-run single to spark the Red Sox’s offense.
It leaves the Yankees in a hole but star outfielder Aaron Judge remains confident they can find a way.
“We’ve been doing it all year,” Judge said. “Lot of veterans in this clubhouse that have been through some stuff. Lot of this team going to the postseason last year, been to the World Series, been in some tough moments. Go out there and play our game and we’ll be good.”
The positive is they won’t have to face Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet again.
Crochet gave up one run over 7 2/3 dominant innings during which he retired 17 consecutive batters.
Skubal sinks Guardians
Tarik Skubal was also hugely impressive in helping the Detroit Tigers to a Game One win over the Cleveland Guardians.
Skubal threw 14 strikeouts and edged his contest with Guardians starter Gavin Williams to put Detroit in control of the series.
The Tigers scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on a bunt by Zack McKinstry that plated Riley Green.
“He’s a beast,” Detroit manager AJ Hinch said of Skubal. “And it’s why he’s considered by many as the best pitcher in the big leagues.”